Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-01-05

large quantity. The most liberal eStJ-
mate for the consumption of whiskey at
any Board meeting would be one quart,
and l may safely say that l have never
seen that quantity used upon any one oc-
casion. A further explanation on the
whiskey question is due the public by Mr..
Davis, especially in view of the fact that
Sc gallons of it was of Clemmer's highest
priced brand. Now as to cigars. Mr.. Da-
of October, 'S2, up to the LIST day of Feb
ruary, 'S3, when l became principal.
Is boxes of cigars, costing $42.75, had
been used. In that time there had been
but three meetings of the Board. Do we
understand that they smoked 81 boxes of
cigars at each one of their sessions? 1t
would be pertinent. | think, to inquire
whether they smoked more than one
There was no matron in this case to divide
the responsibility, as Mr.. Davis himself
was the sole and exclusive custodian of the
cigars at least.
AS illustrative of the number of cigars
ordinarily consumed by the Board at it's
sessions, may state that at the last an
nual meeting. when it was found that the
Institution had been charged with this
large number of cigars during the year,
the Board. not being willing as | am in
formed to be made an excuse OF for such
an expenditure. unanimously adopted a
resolution that no more cigars be purchased
on account of the Institution and that just
so much whiskey as might be necessary for
medicinal and culinary purposes should be
bought. At that time there were two
boxes of cigars in the Institution. Those
two boxes lasted during two meetings OF
the Board and two meetings OF the Exec
utive Committee, and nearly half a box
were left over. [ undertake to say that
six boxes a year is a liberal estimate for
all cigars used by the Board, Executive
Committee, and the guests who are
present during Board meetings.
And this brings to me the question of
guests. AS to who or how many were pres
ent prior to my administration, I know
nothing. If Mr.. Davis undertakes to say
that fifteen guests were present at one
time since [ have been Principal he states
an absolute falSehoOd, as every officer at the
Institution can testify. AS a matter of
course, did not undertake to count the
guests present on any occasion. Whoever
were there were welcome and | was glad
to see them. Having been a member of
the Board under former administrations,
[ was struck with the fact that our visi-
itors were so few in comparison with those
at the old meetings. At no time can | re-
member when as many as six guests dined
with us at one time. And they were neither
political bummerS nor strikers, "but gen.
tlemen of known character who would be
welcomed to the table of any who knew
them.
I desire to say that his reference to my
visitors is only in keeping with the other
reckless statements made as to other mat
tiers. l have been allowed the same privil-
eyes in the entertainment of company as my
predecessors. That [ have had more
guests than they l do not believe. That [
have abused the privilege by having had
here any one for a period greater than
day or two, or have had any greater num-
Der than some three or four at one time,
and then for meal or two, is utterly I'M
true. My family and myself have been
more entertained than we have entertain
ed, and it has been subject OF remark
that we have had at our table fewer of our
friends than at any other period of our