Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-25
BLACKSBURG BOARD.
CLAIM THAT IT SHOULD CONSIST OF
PRACTICAL FARMERS.
The Senate, However, Thinks That Me-
ohanics Have n Right 20 Repre-
sentation and so Resolve.

In the Senate yesterday Dir. Dunn, of
hbemarle. offered the following PROPOSE
ton, which precipitated quite lively dis
cussion:
Resoicai. That il il the sense of the Sen
ate that the Board OF Visitors Of the Viz
ginia Agricultural and Mechanical College
should be composed Of practical farmers.
Mr. Dunn. who has had very little 70 say
on the floor OF the Senate, made very
clear and foTcible speech In favor OF the
resolution. which he said was inspired by
resolutions adopted a few days ago by the
Farmers Alliance Of his county expressing
the above sentiment and requesting
HIM to bring the subject TO the at
tention Of the Senate. The speaker
referred 70 the eighth plank IN the
platform adopted by the Democratic Con-
vention held here in August Of last year
pledging 20 the agricuturaists the control
Of this institution. Mr.. Dunn had no dis
position whatever 70 complain Of the TX.
ecutlve. for no man IN the senate cherished
greater love and admiration for Prince I'd
wards distinguished son than he. but the
farmers who form q large element IN the
tremendous Democratic majority by which
the state was carried for Mckinney de-
serve some slight recognition. This. they
had been promised. and the pledge should
be kept IN good folth.
Mr.. Acker said he had been sent similar
resolutions adopted by the Farmers Al
lance % his county Buckingham, and he
was IN favor OF tho proposition.
MECHANICS, TOO.
Mr.. Berry moved 10 amend the resolu-
ton by adding and practical mechanics.'
Mr.. HeatOn spoke IN favor OF the res0iu-
tion, provided il could be definitely ascer-
tanned what il the true definition Of
- ~ ef-aol farrvrv - ITo did NOT hpIfgvq
these farmers who write for the newspa-
pers. His experience with them had been
that they spend so much time writing the
cries that they do not take sufficient time
10 attend practically 20 their farms. He
believed that the decision OF the matter
belonged with the Governor. who appoints
the visitors. and not with the legislature.
Let Us know, said he. who these prac-
teal farmers are. Let the Governor send
his nominations here, and then we can de-
eide whether or hot they are sufficiently
practical"
TuR DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
Mr.. Dunn replied that this was exactlv
/ the point nc wished g. make. The Dcm0-
! cratic Convention If last August pledged
I itself 10 protect the interest of the farm
mers aud % thor appointment on the
/ board. If the Governor nominated 10 the
/ Senate practical farmers he would work
and vote for them, no matter from what
county they came. He WAS not after got
/ ting places If honor for his constituents,
/ but OF placing this institution IN the hands
of agrichlturalis
WHAT A PRACTICAL FARMER u.
Mr.. Harrison offered an amendment 90
add this definition Of the term "practi-
/ cal " after farmer "-boing one whose
chief occupation Is tho cultivation OF the
soil.
Further discussion WIS continued by
! Mcssrs. Sno0t Of Page. J0no, If High
/ land. and Little Of fredericksburg. The
votco the amendment Of Mr. Berry was
taken. and the amendment was carried.
! Tho resolution was then al pied.
Dir. SIu0ot. before the vote was taken,
suggested that tho subject be- considered
| i'm executive session, whore the nomina-
tiou~ of the Governor are passed upon. and
/ another suggestion was made that the
resolution be referred u the Governor
Both motions were ruled out of order.
LIT THE sHHGrAvr TiKR THEM OUT.
Before tho vote wis taken Air. Wood. IF
; Charlotte. offered the following as sub
stituto fur the whole resolution:
E,..rd. I nat the President of the body
shall direct tine S,rgoabt-at-Arms TO take
possession Of any person who says any
thing about farmers during the remainder
/ of the session, and specially those pers ms
who express themselves az knowing the
meaning It the words 81 practical farmer, '
nud more especially those who do not
, know and take such person or persons ont
and keep them until inc Is convinced that
the subject IS Oh thor minds. The suOstl-
tute Wa declared out OF order.
rIrc ArpoST1Fs.
Yesterday before the debate took place
I II the Senate the Governor was talking 20
q friend ABOUT these appointments and he
/ SAID they were made 10 conform, Is he IN
der-toOl it. TO the act OF Congress apprO-
uriatinc the land-ecrint. 10y the snie Of
/ which the COLLEGE was founded. That law
and the Virginia statutes require the
school 70 be agricultural, mechanical, ana
/ mi tarv. To make thi- last feature sue
cess the Government details and sends 10
! Bmcksburc an officer OF the regular army,
who is the instructor Of military tactics.
! OF the four visitors appointed Two lMoJor
4. Il. Venable and Colonel Dillon, Of kOck-
BRIDGE ar experienced farmers; me thifd
. professor Nawter, OF the Miller Manual
labor SCHOOL, Is - teacher Of agriculture
and mechanics and has under his supcrIn-
teudence one Of tho best cultivated farms
IN Virginia. The fourth eppolntee lAr.
/ Henry l.. Carter, OF RicAmOpd) Is me-
/ chdLic.
The General Assembly accepted the terms
Of the act Of Congress. and the Code OF
| virginia requires that the curriculum ~
OF the said college snail embrace such
/ branches of learning aS relate % a@ricul-
ture and the mechanic arts, without eA-
/ Guiding other scientific aud classical stu
dies, aud including military tactics.
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