Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-07-10
Virginia Military Institute.

Virginia Military Institute.
FIFTIETH ANNIvERsARY-500 OF THE
ALUMNI PRESENT, REPRESENTING EVERY
MATRICULATINa AND GRADUATING CLASS
INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS CLOSING
SCENES.
More than year ago the Alumni of the
Virginia Military Institute determined to
make the occasion of the closing exer-
cises of the fiftieth session,-the semi-cen-
tennial of its existence, one of grand and
profound interest. Ceaseless and methodi-
cal efforts for the accomplishment Of this
purpose were made, and its complete con-
summation illustrates the degree to which
the officers of the Alumni Association, the
committee of arrangements-and the local
committees at Lexington entered upon and
carried forward the design. Happily, too,
the Board of Visitors determined to restore
the closing and graduating day to its old
date, the 4th of July, which met with uni
versal approval from the Alumni and the
public, and henceforth the old regulation
will be continued.
THE BOARD OF VISITORS
usual, were in session several days previous
to the commencement exercises, and con-
tinued their sessions to meet all the phases
and responsibilities pertaining to that body,
not only as the Academic term and the in
terror affairs of the Institute were con-
cerned, but in view of the new interest
awakened by so large an assemblage of the
Alumni, and the purpose of General
Smith to embrace the occasion of the close
of the fiftieth session from its foundation in
800 to 1889, to resign the position OF
Supe rintendent, which he had held,
through all those eventful years.
THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.
Those who know something Of General
Smiths methods, and the care with which
his watchfulness and interest follow all
who enter and pass out from the barracks
of the Institute, appreciate the brief of
their latter history which his registry fur
nishes. In addition to that, the Alumni
organization has its full roll, and to these
are now added another roll upon which
there are about five hundred names regis
tered, with number of their class and place
of residence. These come now from the
four points of the compass, and from
eighteen or twenty different States, some
of them travelling as many as eighteen
hundred miles to manifest their devotion to
their Alma Mater, and renew again and in
person their love for the venerated Super
intendent, and that as classmates and
brothers in youthful years with common
sympathies and hopes and aspirations, they
might return to the scenes which gave
them birth, and brighten the future of life
by the joyous occasion of the iftieth ami
versary of this renowned institution. The
scene was one of seemingly strange interest
and was as pathetic as it was truthful
Gray-headed men and war-scarred veterans
met then for the first time since, long
years ago, they separated in youth to meet
the responsibilities of men and the vicissi-
tudes of life. They were there representing
the first graduating class in 1912 down to
the present. Of the first class but three
are known to be Lying, viz: Colonel Ed
mund Pendleton, of Lexington; General
Wyatt M. Elliott, of Lynchburg, and DR..
o. NJ. Knight, of Prince Edward; and all
them were present.
GEN. SMITHS ADDRESS BEFORE THE
ALUMNI.
The cordial welcome which greeted the
presence of the ex-cadets as they reported
at the headquarters of the local committee,
and at the Institute, was characteristic of
the famed hospitality of the people of
Lexington, whose homes were opened for
their entertainment reinforced, if recess
sary, by ample quarters at the Institute
Rested from travel at their temporary
homes, the order of proceedings soon as
sembled the Alumni in the Chapel of
Washington & Lee University. When
General Smith appeared upon the rostrum,
the applause was wild and enthusiastic
1t was complete ovation.
Colonel Cutshaw, of Richmond, the
President, called to order, and Rev. DR..
McBryde, of Lexington, opened the pro
ceedings with prayer. General Smith ther
read an address which embraced review
of the Institute for the fifty years of its ex
is tence. 1t made a lasting impression OF
all who heard it, as it will upol the thou
sauds who will read it when it appear
with the published proceedings and shal
take authentic and enduring form.
BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS.
The Alumni matured much bushes
with reference to the future, and mani
tested the greatest interest in the pros
perity of the Institute. 1t was known tina
the Board of Visitors proposed to accep
the resignation Of General Smith, and t,
place him in the Faculty as Professor Emer
titus in the departments he had filled il
addition to his duties as Superintendent
They, therefore, took counsel in referenc
to his successor. Colonel Scott Ship, who
since 1861, has been the professor of mill
tary science and tactics, and commandan
of the corps, of course had many friends ii
that body to favor his appointment a
Superintendent. The same was true il
reference to Colonel Cutshaw, the dis
tinguished engineer in charge of the publ
works of the city of Richmond for the las
eighteen years; but the association de
cidedly favored the appointment Of Gov
ernor Lee, and manifested their choice Il
the Board of Visitors.
THE ADDRESS AND ODE AND BANQUET.
The night session of the Alumni con
tiuued until the dawn of the follow
ing morning of the 4th instant. The ad
dress was delivered by United State!
Senator Faulkner, of West Virginia, wit
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