Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-06

alter the commencement OF the nl8nt
session, however. Mr.. Stubbs obtained
the floor and read through his report,
which he asked the body TO adopt
Mr.. Read, member Of the committee,
said that he had only seen the skeleton OF
the report, but ethought itshould proba-.
bly, contain the statement that s., 800 OF
the fund left by Philip st. George Cooke
and S3, 900 of the Jackson Hope Medal
fund remained intact, and was not IN
cluded in the $50, 600 that had been alb
sorbed.
Mr.. Stubs thought the report suifi-
ciently specific on this point.
DEFENDS GENERAL SMITH.
Mr. Wickham offered the following as
substitute for the committees report
Resolrcd. That the Governor be requested to
diIect J. ID. Craig. the expert accountant OF ths
Audiicr's onnce, to examine the accounts OF tne
Virginia Military Institute with view OF ascer-
tanning especially what use has been made oi the
various bcuuc-ts and donations ard what tne
present condition OF the sa'd trust funds y. ana
report the result Of the examination to inc Oehe-
raj Assembly.
Mr.. Wickham said he offered this sub
stitute because he did not want the SEN
ate, almost at the very hour OF adjourn
ment. to receive and adopt report that
on its face reflected upon the integrity
of so noble man, and one whom the
State had honored for more than fifty
years. General Smith needed no de-
fence at his hands. 1t was well known
that he was due the credit for having
made that institution what it now is, and
under his superintendent it has sent
l0ut in public life some of the leading
men of this country. Mr.. Wickham
said he felt constrained, in the absence OF
the Senator from this district, to say
this much in behalf Of General Smith.
Mr.. Stubbs was surprised that the re-
port could have been construed as cast
ing slur upon the venerable superin-
tendent, who deserved so much credit
and praise. General Smith had sought
the investigation, and had been given
the fullest hearing The committee,
after mature deliberation, had decided to
recommend that he be honored as no
other person had ever been honored by
Virginia. Mr.. Stubs said no one more
auickly than he would defend General
Smiths unassailable character from un-
Just imputation, but he was convinced
that it was best for the institution and
the State to carry out the suggestions OF
the committee.
Mr. Berry moved to lay on the table
and print. II was then within an hour
of adjournment, and the report could
not be given the proper consideration.
The vote resulted-ayes, ii ; noes, 10.
Mr.. Koiner thought a very happy solu-
ton Of the whole matter had been
reached. He agreed with General Wick
BAN that the Legislature should make
good the funds Of the institute which
| had been used in constructing buildings.
He thought the suggestion OF the COM
mittee to retire General Smith very
wise one and great compliment to the
General. The labors Of the position
were becoming too heavy for this vene-
rable gentleman, who when younger had
administered its affairs with such WIS
dom and success.
Mr. Read briefly gave his reasons as
member Of the committee for making
the report submitted.
Seeing that the report was not going
to be adopted, Mr. Stubbs accepted Mr.
Wickham's resolution as a substitute
and it was adopted and sent TO the House
where it was dismissed.