Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-21
$3.50 1S


the Cooke f,md; she owes the Jackson
memorial fund 81, 510.13 and tits an
open question whether or not the insti-
tute is responsible to the Clayton fund
for So, 900, with interest from January l,
1865.
These are trust funds, and when the
committee said 800, 700 it was rather an
underestimate. The committee thought
it best to let an expert examine and re-
port on these trusts.
1t is immaterial who diverted these
funds; It's binding on Virginia to re-
store them. If the Board of Visitors or
the superintendent did it, the committee
simply said it was contrary to the wishes
of the donors.
"This somewhat remarkable report "
has been ordered to be printed
and It's not in the "waste- basket" and
if Colonel Pendleton "does not desire to
revive the controversy" do not intend
for him 10 attempt to make the impress
sion that the committee reflected on
the institute or the superintendent
The report made by the committee shows
cractly the opposite. General Smith
stands to-day as all educator, as a Vir-
gilman, as a public benefactor as a true
lover of the youth of the land, the peer OF
any man in our State. Now as the noble
old Roman is fast approaching the sun
set OF life his brilliant achievements at
the institute shine forth and cause every
true Virginian to honor and admire Gen
eral Francis II. Smith and let our State
do what she has never done for any one,
honor him with emeritus Superin
tendent Of the Virginia Military Insti-
tute."
have before me General Smiths evil
dence taken before the committee on
the question of trust f,mds 4; It's full
statement and from which the committee
obtained the information which prompt
ed them to recommend the appointment
Of an expert to show the eTGct amounts
and dates of trust funds. | do not be-
lieve General Smith objected to the APP
pointment of an expert.
This investigation benefited the in
stitute and added to the already splendid
reputation OF General Smith in bringing
prominently before the people of Vir-
ginia the wonderful work of rebuilding
the institute destroyed by the enemy
during the war. The institute is a
splendid monument OF greatness to the
devotion, energy, skill, and splendid
ability of General Francis H. Smith,
Superintendent Of the Virginia Military
Institute.
II benefited the institute. When
the question of the annual appropriation
for the institute was before the Sen
ate l was asked to express my views, and
as chairman of the joint committee
| advocated the appropriation and stated
on the floor OF the Senate that Virginia
should foster and support that splendid
institution. Ny statement as member
OF the committee then investigating the
affairs of the institute turned the tide of
opposition (then very strong, and the
Senate voted $780, 900 as the annual APP
preparation. l have the greatest admira-
ton for General Smith and as friend to
the institute, and | do insist that the
trust ttnds, the bonded debt,
and the floating debt OF the
institute should be accurately known
and specifically stated, so the Board of
Visitors can report to the Governor OF
Virginia and the Governor to the Gene
raj Assembly. However, the institute
has a splendid Board of Visitors and q
most excellent corps of professors. Let
them work together in harmony, and of
those things which have been under in
vestigation let them take due notice
thereof and govern themselves accord
ingly. J.. n. STUBBs.