The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-04-06

Tn. Hoard Of Visitors Arranging for the
Grand semi Centennial Celebration IN

H.. HAZARD Of Visitors Arranging for the
rcr.na semi, Centennial Celebration In
July.
The Board Of Visitors Of the Virginia
Military Institute met last night in the
gentlemans parlor OF the Exchange
Hotel. Present, General James
Mcdonald. OF Richmond; DR.. George
Ross. Of Richmond; Hon. Mar
shall Hanger. OF Augusta; MIR. ,. H.
I,etcber. Of Lexington Mr.. X. A. jane
of Danyille: Major James NJ. Love, OF
Fairfax; Major Peter j. Otey, of Lynch
hury and Mr.. W. II. White, of Norfolk,
and Superintendent, General +. IL
Smith.
The board organized by the election OF
Mr.. :. II. Letcher. chairman, and Mr. H.
James secretary.
The time of the board during the meet
inc which lasted four hours, was prin-
cipally occupied in considering the pro-
gramne and other matters pertaining to
| the contemplated semi-cenicnnial OF the
/ institute. which will be held At the In
siitute at the close OF the present
scholastic year
Years ago the anniversary of the Inst.
int WAS always celebrated on the 4ih OF
/ luly. but ialterly it was changed so the
2-th day OF June. and this latter date had
EN- set for the same centennial Col
~ e. Cutshaw and Mr.. Joseph
r. Anderson. Jr., on the part OF the
alumni appeared before the board ana
urged the return 10 the old date, aud
| tbst the semi-centennial be held this year
on the Fourth of July. They urged,
among other reasons, that the alumni
could make it more convenient 10 be
present on that date than on the S1th OF
june.
The board agreed to the change, so
the semi-centennial viii take place on
the 4ih day OF July.
The board then rcappOinied the old
committee TO confer with committees
from the faculty and alumni in regard TO
porfeciing arrangements.
At ten minutes to f. O'Clock the board
adjourned 10 meet in Lexington on June
2jth next
General Francis II Smith, VINO has
been at the head of the Institute since!
was started in 1892 does not look day
older than he did fifteen years ago. lie
l. e. straight a. AN arrow and has all the
movements Of thorough military mar
There il no doubt about il, the cd
General" rs he is frequently called, ~
DEVOTED 10 the Y. ~ and is past his.
tory
There is another man upm Lexington
who, like General Smith. has watched
the progress OF This renowned schoo,
With more than ordinary interest, and
hat man IL Colonel J. J. l.. Preston
wbo ~ now running close 10 eighty years
of age. and who took an active part IL
the organization OF the Institute
How many cadets are now at the in
stituie." asked a TINES reporter OF Gen
cral smith last evening.
There are 2lO on the roll now, and
BOO have graduated since the inslilu
ton was founded
The new members of the board OF Wis
ifors are Marshall Hanger, OF slaunI0n
are are gradus ks&zszss.''sssssSlsss * :
fond lse,Hes Of the institute and have
deed = ing for their nina matr IN
some at The most distinguished
men who have figured in the affairs OF
ihe State for the past fifty years were
cadets al the =. Nj. T. IT was
there that General William II Payne
learned the theory of military science
Speaking of General William IL
rayne, said an alumnus of the Institute
to a TIMES reporter recalls the opinion
have often heard expressed. that he Is
the most brilliant man the old Institute
has turned out VI Ezekiel, the cele-
hraied sculptor, IL graduate Qt the y
II. /, aud 20 are hundred or more
other men who lsily walk the streets Of
Richmond, including Colonies W W
Gordon, W. t. Cuishaw and
John y. Purcell General Wyatt
NJ Elliott, Colonel H. T. W
Duke; Colonel \ t. Ryes, father Of
Airs Amelie Riyes-C hanier. Colonel Ell.
mund rendleton, Hon. Abraham Fulker.
son, General James \. Walker and Gen
crsl William Malone. number among
those who have received instruction
there from one whom all united in call
ing "0ld Specs and FOR whom they
always had the highest esteem and alfec.
J ton