The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-27
the protection Of the riparian rights OF the
owners of land in Elizabeth.

mlttec on ubhc Institutions and Education.
charged with investigating the charges against
tne biacksburg board of visitors, presented
the following report.
To the Senate and House Of Delegates OF yir
ginia:
our respective committees on Public Insti-
cuHohs and Education 81 the senate and OF
schools and olleges Of the House. having been
hu'horlled to send Tor persons and papers 20 IN
NeSliEate the charges Preferred against the
visitors OF the Virginia Agricultural ana we
chahicai College, eg 10 submit the Following
report. together with the papers ana testimony
reported hy the special committee: tonsliera-
lions OF public economy and time deferred the
committee from following the 0etails OF thls
controversy as far as might otherwise nave
seemed proper and the inquiry was restricted
accordingly 80 the charges OF more important
and tangible character.
10 appears that the visitors OF inc college met
I'm Richmond in April, 1891, and after accepting
the resignation Of the then president, General
l.. j.. lomax. determined g. declare vacant the
chairs held hv Professors vi. j. scott, ). y. Nor
ton and William IL. Graham IN that institution.
Iv unanimous vote Of those present the requi-
site twO.thirds under section --, Code Of lSs9)
they effected this change
Mr. Scott and MIR. Graham. feeling themselves
aggrietcd AZ this action, have rought their
grievances before the Legislature They charge
misconduct upon tho visitors OF the college IN
that
l. They enforced the resignation OF General
IOmax and NrCngfully removed Professors
scott. Graham aud Morton from their places in
oil instances without cause OF notice.
%. In having improperly AMI illegally expend-
Ell the funds of the institution.
In the matter OF the Just accusation the com
mittee recognizes the almost plenarv authority
conferred upon the visitors by Automatically
which carries the full right Of dismissal when
sanctioned by q tvO.thIrds vote. no action of
the visitors uroa the occasion cited vas tho
committee bel ewes, In good faith. and 10 seems
90 have emanatcd from a desire 10 subserye the
best interests OF the college. They assert, IN
their Judgment. the institution was not best nc
c0mulishlng the purposes of is creation; that
reorganization was necessary. involving
change Of instruction and OF Instructors
POLICY OR IMpoHcY.
NOlr committee. not being thoroughly con-
yersant with the history and objects of that IN
sluuon. did not deem II wise 10 inquire
mlufely INTO the policy or impOlcy OF TINS re
O gam ,atlCn, but chose rather 70 accept the
conclusions of those who. both by association
and duty. were better qualified 10 Judge.
AS regards General l.. J.. Iomax, DR.. NJ. T.
Scott and Mr.. j. y. Morton. who were relieved
Of their duties at Blacksburg, the committee
finds 10 charges sustained affecting their char
acter or competency IN thOir former positions,
but the visitors deemed them not the best quail
ihed persons 10 conduct tho now duties created
bv the reOrganlZatlOn OF the college Against
them no personal charges whatever were al
legged. and the committee was impressed with
their character and high testimonials one OF
them Confederate general with AFFINITY APP
proved IN war and whose honor IS without
stain; the other two Virginia gentlemen Of
merit and culture. whose names stand above re-
proach in the Commonwealth.
THAT CONFIDENTIAL REPORT.
Mr. W. H. Graham became the subject Of adj
verse criticism in that. while at Blecksburg, he
improperly as was alleged. obtained certain pa
pers belonging 10 the board OF visitors which
we're regarded as of confidential character but
after careful examination OF the premises We
have concluded that the papers were not OF the
character claimed. and that Mr.. Graham was
Justly entitled 20 their possession
We pause here 20 express the OPINION tnal
81 sNaH.. If
Of the causes which demanded their removal
much OF this unpleasantness might have been
avoided and We believe that where pracucaDie'
and unless some imperative public reason Tor
bid, one similarly dismissed should have tie
causes assigned that the world may not be left
open to aifiX any lmputatlon II pleases 10 ms
.. A close examination INTO tie financial affairs
Of the college would have entailed so much
labor and expense 10 the Stato-thc proper or
improper anagcment OF the funds would nave
involved SO much OF legal opinion anu re-
search-that the committee concluded not TO
pursue those inquiries.
IT, however. en- ioins upon the visitors n care
ful custody of the college funds, lest any portion
thereof derived from the Federal Government
should be expended in manner not speclhcal-
iy provided by the terms of the statutes. And
especially would - impress upon them the ne
cCssity of limiting the travelling expenses or
the members Of the board which have some
times been too great
We would recon mend the enactment Of the
bin on this subject dreadv reported by Che SEN
ate Committee on Public Institutions.
THE FACTS ADMITTED BY TIE PRESIDENTS.
me lhcls au liilL.eu ma t"o ~ o 80 wy
C4.if-e WSIc W." We rforIin, drfie. AZ The
college and that professor Was "llGNo. 10
rrone 10 not impres, ms favorablv. and whilo
we do not undertake. 10 crlticisc the discretion
of tho visitors in these particulars We may adj
moni>n inem against the lhuulsehces Oh lne'e
rG,t,t,er i'm conclusion while recopni1inp the
many obstacles ana difficulties the Agncul3,
tural ana MoVnanloat olteko nss ia ,,,'d, c1
- 0 ie ,orgeni1e1 mon GOOD basis and
tor those who desire the facilities Of an
economical and valuable education We COM
mend 10 TO the confidence and PATRONAGE Oh the
public. Y ~ lLl'i - o hOl h''lIiN'
u G,pnrTrR TWIN
JosrpY W SorruAIT
SIDNEY r. Eprs.
j. T. DUNLOP.
j. TAYLOR SrRATTOS,
X. VI. BURIoN'
i;p4D 10 ,. pEiH,Ei'
Ws a. MI Wa1sox
W.. ,r,,o,d tba following:
Yonr committee recommend such change in
the present law regulating the appointment Of
visitors by the Virginia Agricultural and Ne
chsnical College SO as TO give greater VploIll
tunity for the appointment OF auinH! Oh salu
college upon sal1 hoaIn, .ils .no
~ oilos mater necp6ariv At heart. he
more familiar With its workings and needs, and
tl,af fhaIr action lnOn the board would be less