The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-08-26
THE MILITARY ACADEMY,
A Letter from Gen. Johnson Eagood-
A Full Statement to he Laid before
the Legislature.
DARNwEL.I., August 81, 1885.

INC ATSSISiutucs
DAKNwELI, August 81, 1885.
To the Editor Of the Ncws uad
Courier: At its late session in Charles
ton the board Of visitors Of the State
Military Academy. with a full attcn-
dance of it's members. had to deal with
complicated and delicate matters affect
ing the welfare of the Academy as
we'll as involving the rights and feel
ings of individuals.
They acted upon the issues presented,
giving to the public at the time, in as
brief terms as possible, the results ut
which they had arrived; proposing also
to themselves in due course to lay be-
fore the Legislature, in their annual
report, Il full statement Of the facts and
reasons upon which the action was
based. This is the usual course. in
obedience 10 the mandate Of the Act of AS
scmbly establishing the military school
that the board shall sin zach and every
year make a minute and full report of
the condition and management Of said
school to the Governor, to be by him
LAID before the Legislature"
Another consideration inducing the
rcticcncc Of the board ut the time Of it's
action was q sincere desire to avoid
woundlng the feelings Of individuals by
giving unnecessary notor!ctY to what
h;a been done III the conscientious dis
charge OF painful duty Finally, news
paper discussion contemporary with the
exercise Of discipline, however tenn
peratcly conducted, must injuriously
affect i military institution. A standing
order Of the Academy forbids il to
officers and cadets while they sustain
that relation. mi should the board
voluntarily embark on such a course.
and the range Of the discussion by nos
Sibility involve these persons, then
would he presented the ]ngencrous
spectacle Of its critici>ing in the public
prints those who by it were forbidden to
reply through that channel
These considerations. in which I fully
~concurred, were conclusive to the hoard
and determined the position itto0k. Since
The adjournment Of the board communi-
cations have gone to the press from indi
v1dnals affected, or from their friends,
winch with the meagre statement off.
c'ally made by the board, have been
rade the basis Of widespread discus
sion. This discussion appears to ,ne To-.
he based in part upon m;sapprchensiop
ct facts. and ! know it to To without
full knowledge in the matter.
The chairman, while the executive
officer, is only one mcmher in seven Of
Inc board, add they are gentlemen Of in
dividual record and The habit of indiyid-
ual assertion. Flo must cary ontits rclicy
as indicated to him until the board sit
ting as such itself changes it. That body
necessarily meets to pass npon applica-
tons for beneficiary vacancies in the
Academy in about three weeks. 1t will
then be open 10 them to decide whether
10 retain their first position, or, under
present circumstances, To give to the
public, in advance Of their report to the
Leg'slaturc.sa full statement of the facts
and reasons which controlled it's action
III the matters which have been. 30 GEN
orally commented on by the Press Of
the State.
Whist yer conclusion is reached will be-
dictated by the interests Of the Academy
as they see it.
Let me add, in conclusion, that the
hoard Of visitors individually and coll
lnctiyely feel the gravity Of the dntyj
with which they have been intrustndin
the management of one Of the chief ed.
ucatlonal institutions Of the State. and
they recognize to the fullest extent their
responsibility to the people of South
Garolina, for the wisdom and fidelity of
that management. lurcporiing 20 thcL.eg-
stature they obey the iaw undcr4which
they are appointed, and report TO the
people through their Representatives.
They shrink from no criticism. If Just,
it must rebound to the benefit OF tliri
Academy, which with them is above
personal consideration; If just, they
have confidence in the sobricty Of SOC
ond thought to make reparation. Itis1
not tho first time as sons Of the State
that they have been called upon to do
their duty to her, irrespective OF con-
sequences to themselves.
JOHNsoN HAaooD, C%hsirman.