The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-01
CAN'T USE THE ARMORY.
so SAY THE OFFICERS OF THE
FIRST VIRGINIA. REGIMENT
In Regard to It's Occupancy by tho Pro-
posed Confederate Memorial Bassar
Next April-Meeting Last Evening.


Memorial Bazaar. which is to be held In
April.
Colonel Jones was in the chair. and
about fifteen officers were present.
The following letter was read:
Richmond. Va, Jan. Y. 1888.
Colonel Henry C. Jones. commandant
First Regiment Virginia Volunteers;
Dear Colonel.-Mr. william III. Curtis.
of the subcommittee OF the Soldiers and
Sailors Monument Association, mas
handed me your letter. dated January
26th, notifying the committee that tner
communication OF the 18th instant was
submitted to the officers OF the regiment
and laid on the table, pending notlhca-
tion from the Grounds and Buildings
Committee of an action which they may
have taken on the subject matter Thereon.
The Committee on Grounds and Build
ines. at their meeting held January IL,
1893. adopted the following
That the First Virginia regimental
armory be rendered to the managers OF
the Memorial Bazaar for the Confederate
Museum and Soldiers and Sailors mon
ument. to be held in April. 1893. for the
entire month. free Of charge.
| should have notified you or this action
by the committee sooner.
Very truly yours,
FRANK T. BATES.
Clerk Committee.
Major Derbyshire then submitted the
following resolution:
Whereas at a meeting of the Commit
tee on Grounds and Buildings, held IN
the 18th day of January, 1899. the follow
ing resolution was adopted:
THAT the First Virginia regimental
armory be rendered to the managers OF
the Memorial Bazaar for the Confederate
Museum and the Soldiers and Sailors
monument, to be held in April, 1888. for
the entire month, free of all charges
and
Whereas the said resolution was adopted
without conference with the officers of
this regiment, and without any regard of
the rights or convenience of this reSi-
inent in the premises, and without notice
to this regiment until ten days had
elapsed after its PASSAGE and
Whereas to deprive this regiment OF
the use Of it's armory for a month. as
contemplated by the said resolution,
would be not only disregard OF the rights
and best interests of the regiment. but
would, in the judgment OF its officers
greatly impair its discipline and efficiency,
and perhaps threaten its very existence;
therefore, be 1t
Resolved, That while as citizens and
officers we cordially sympathize with
the object for which the proposed Bazaar
is to be held, we cannot consent to rhe
irreparablc injury to the regiment which
would result from Gliding the Bazaar in
The Armory during the entire month of
April, and that we respectfully but firmly
decline to surrender the Armory for that
purpose.
Captain Frank Cunningham said that
he thought that the officers were labOrng
under an erroneous impression; that the
Memorial Bazaar did not ask cor the
whole Armory, but simply n portion OF
The same. He further stated that II the
Grounds and Buildings Committee asked
for the Armory there was no way Of get
ting out Of ii. The Bazaar wanted only
the second floor. He offered the follow
ing substitutes:
Resolved, That the officers of the First
Virginia regiment acquiesce In granting
the ladies the use Of the drill room Of the
Armory; but II is understood that we do
retain the lower rooms for the exclusive
use Of the organization.
Major Derbyshire said that he wanted
his resolution passed without any amend
ment being tackled onto 1t: that If the
Armory was given up he wanted it done
regiment officials.
Captain Cunningham then made n
speech. advocating that the second floor
be offered the Bazaar.
Colonel Phillips believed that II would
be a mistake to antagonze a thing Of this
kind. Ii would be against the interest
Of the regiment to refuse the use OF the
room. He was sure that the ladies ex
pected only the drill room, and to refuse
II for such a purpose would be to incur
public disfayor.
Lieutenant Crawford agreed with Colo
mel Phillips. and spoke in favor OF the
request.
Colonel Jones then made a brief speech
opposing Captain Cunnngham's substi-
tute. He stated that he lad given money
out of his pocket to assist the managers
Of the Soldiers and Sailors monument
10 erect a structure that would be q
creditable reminder OF Southern heroism.
There was no one more in favor of keep
ing alive all those glorious memories that
cling TO the past deeds OF Confederate
soldiers tran was he, and he would be
the last 10 refuse such a request, except
when the interest of his regiment was
1T stake.
He reviewed the condition OF the regi-
nent, and stated that he believed the
future welfare of the regiment would de-
pend largely upon their undisI uted pos
session OF the armory.
He felt confident that the thirty days
occupation OF the armory by the bazaar
or any other organization would decrease
the value and effectiveness OF the rcgi-
ment at least 50 ger cent. for the ninety
days subsequent to such an occupation.
He was opposed TO placing his regiment
in such a position that the soldiers could
not obey the orders of the officers. He
said he could refer the bazaar to some
other building. which would be both
cheaper and more profitable for their
purposes.
The question was then put to the vote,
and Captain Cunninghams substitute
was lost, the vote staLding ayes 8; noes,
IL.
On motion the original resolution was
adopted, ayes, IL; noes. 3.
Major Derby shire then moved that a
copy of this resolution be embodied I'm
n reply TO the Grounds and Buildings
Committee. and a copy also be sent to the
subcommittee of the Soldiers and Sailors
Monument Association. The motion was
carried. and the meeting then adjourned.
When the armory was built by the
city authorities, several years ago, an
ordinance or resolution was adopted by
the City Council and approved by the
Mayor which states that in view of the
fact that the accommodations for esress
from the building' are rather insufficient.
the building is not to be used for any
other purposes than that Of a military
character, except upon special permits
sion. The measure also sets forth that
the building is TO be under the control
Of the Committee on Grounds and Build