The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1885-09-02
THE CITADEL ACADEMY.
A Card from General johnson Hagood,
Chairman of the u ard of Visitors.
BARNwELL, August 81, 1885.

Chairman of the ID ard of Visitors.
BARNwELL, August 81, 1855.
To tie EdjtoT Of tie Cotnm6ia Regtstor:
AT its late session in Charleston the
OF Visitors of the State Military
witha full attendance Of its
had to deal with complicated
and delicate matters affecting tho well
fare of the Academy as well as in
volving the rights and feelings of indi-
vidualS.
They acted upon the issues present
cd, giving to the public at the time in
rs brief terms as possible the results mt
which they had arrived; proposing
also TO themselves in due course to Law
before the Legislature, in their annual
report, a full statement Of the facts and
reasons upon which their action was
based. This is the usual course IN
obedience TO the mandate ofthc Act of
Assembly establishing the military
school, that the Board shall "in each
and every year make u minute and full
report of the condition and
mcnt Of said school to tho Governor,
TO be by him laid before the Lcgisla-
turc."
Another consideration inducing the
rcticcncc Of the Board at the time of its
action was Il sincere desire to avoid
wounding the feelings of individuals
by giving unnecessary notorictv to
what had been done in the conscicn-
tious discharge Of painful duty.
acknowledgements discussion con
temporary with the exercise ofdiScip-
line must, however temporarily con
Quoted, injuriouSly affect Il military
institution. a standing order Of the
Academy iorbids it to officers and
cadets while they sustain that relation;
and should the Board voluntarily en-
bark on such II course and the discus
sion by possibility involve these per-
sons, there would be presented the
u~ngcncrous spectacle Of its criticising
in the public prints those who by i
were forbidden 20 reply through that
channel.
These considcrations,in which | fully
concurrcd, were conclusive TO the
Board, and determined the position it
took.
Since the adjournment Of the Board,
communications have gone to the press
from individuals affected, or from their
friends, which, with the mcagrc state
mcnt officially made by the Board,
have been made the basis of widespread
| discussion.
This discussion appears to me to be
based III part upon a misapprchcnsioli
of facts, and | know il to be without
full knowledge in the matter.
The Chairman, while the executive
officer, is only one member in seven
OF the Board, and they are gentlemen
OF individual record and the habit of
individual assertion. lie must carry
GU its policy as indicated TO him until
the Board sitting as such itself changes
1t. The body necessarily meets to pass
upon applications for the beneficiary
vacancies in the Academy in about
three weeks. Ii will then be open %
them to decide whether to retain their
iirSt position, or, under present cir
clmstanccS, TO give TO the public, in
advance of their report TO the Lcgisla-
turc, Il full statement of the facts and
reasons which controlled its action in
matters which have been so generally
commented upon in the press Of the
State. Whatever conclusion is reach
cd will be dictated by the interests of
the Academy rs they sec it..
Let me add, in conclusion, that the
Board Of Visitors, individually and
collectively. feel the gravity of the
duty with which they have been in-
trusted in the management of one of
the chief educational institutions ofthc
State; and they recognize, to the fullest
extent, their responsibility to the
people of South Carolina for the wis
dom and fidelity Of that management.
IN reporting to the Legislature they
obey the law under which they arc app
pointed, and report to the people
through their representatives. They
shrink from no critism. If Just, it
must rebound TO the benefit OF the
Academy, which with them is above
personal consideration; if unjust, they
have confidence in the sobrictv of
second thought 10 make rcparation. 1t
is not the first time as sons of the
state that they have been called upon
to do their duty duty to her irrcspcc-
tive OF consequences TO themselves.
JOHNSON lIAGoOD,
Chairman.