The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-03-01
v. NJ. i. INvEsTIGATION.
Colonel shipp and General smith Ex
amined.

amined.
The toiut committee investigating the
management of the Virginia Military In.
stitute, and the differences between
General Francis Ii. Smith, superintendent,
and the Board of Directors, was con-
tnued in the Senate Chamber Yesterday
evening at o'clock.
Colonel Shipp, the professor OF tactics,
etc, was examined for two hours. In
answer TO questions Colonel Shipp said,
in substance, that in his opinion the
Board Of Visitors had, in great measure,
taken the administration OF the institute
out of General Smiths hands. General
Smith had expressed himself as gratified
that the Board had assumed this re-
spOnsibility and taken ii out of his
hands. General Smith no doubt,
wanted 10 manage the institute accord
ing to dsciplinarlan rules and
have the Board exercise their supervise
tory powers. Colonel Shipp thought
that General Smith had carried out tie
orders of the Board in regard to the reg
ulatiOn uniform. At the time the regula-
| ton went into effect there were numbers
OF men who, like himself, had good uni
forms which they did not care TO throw
away, and it was generally understood
that these uniforms could be worn, bat
that all new uniforms should be accord
ing to regulation, cadet gray and blue.
| At : o'clock the committee rose TO meet
AT o'clock.
] The committee met again at IN.
and General Francis H. Smith, superin'
tendent Of the Virginia Military Institute
was examined at length.
Ia answer to questions he stated that
the income in 1870 from 800 pay students
was s32 900: that in 1873 il was only
$1,000. a shortage Of S26, 900 annual in
come from tuition alone. This loss was
accounted for by hard times, scarcity OF
money. and the establishment OF me-
cbanical schools and colleges in Virginia
and other States The present policy OF
the institute is to build it up so that
pupils will come. He had now in the
institute students from Oregon, Indian
Territory, and other distant localities.
The present number OF pay students i:
| 100 Seventy of these are from Virginia
excluding the state cadets, numbering
fftv. The funded debt now is $62 900,
all in 3 per cent. bonds The floating
debt which was $9l 900 is practically
paid. The sinking fund each year is
81 600. of this $4,000 is devoted to inter
est. and $4,000 to redemption OF the
funded debt The interest decreases
yearly, and the redemption fund thereby
increases so that now there is $4,000 iC
pay oil the principal. In few years
there will be no debt.
General Smith answered many ques
,ions suggested by The evidence Of former
witnesses. Colonel Pcndleton, his coun
sci, read letter from General Munford
chairman Of the Board of Visitors. sug
gcsting to General Smith his going SOutl
in the interest of the institute and hi
own health.
II was two weeks later that Genera
Smith resigned, and 1t was in the Janu
ary following that he and the BoarC
became reconciled.
Colonel PendetOn read paper sum
marizing the claims of General Smith
based on the evidence. Mr. Barton, OF
behalf of the Board OF Visitors, replied
and Colonel Pendeton rejoined.
The committee at II pm. adjourned
until this evening at 4 o'clock, whei
argument will be heard.