Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-15
WERE NOT PLEASED.
Mr.. BoATWRlcHT's ELECTION AS
PRESIDENT CAUSES FEELING.
a rev students Dispiay Their Unfrisnd.
liness and Professors' Resignstions Are
Talked or, Though Not Likely.


faculty OF Richmond College. TO the presl-
deney OF that institution has caused con-
siderable feeling, both among the faculty
and the students OF the college.
There is talk OF resignations on the
part OF some Of the older professors.
though II IL hardly probable that the mat
ter will be carried that far: and the dis
satisfied students have publicly demon
xtra,ei their unfrlendliness TO the new
head OF the school. who Is expected TO
enter upon his duties next June.
Tha, Professor Boatwright is In many
respects. II not In all, well qualified for
the position. all but very few admit and
the opposition. so far as can be learned.
seems 10 be largely personal as between
himself and Professor Bennett Puryear.
Q man who has grown gray in the service
OF the college. and has for years held the
position Of chairman OF the faculty, and
their immediate followers
Both gentlemen have among the trus-
tees. faculty. and students many warm
friends and some active opponents. and
Il Is said that the selection Of Professor
Puryear would also have created dissatis-
faction.
WAS NOT UNANIMOUS.
Upon good authority 1t is stated that
the opposition manifested In the board
meeting to Professor Boatwrght was
strong and during the argument which
ensued after his nomination two OF the
most prominent trustees became in
volved In a heated controversy. which
nearly resulted In a personal difficulty.
The final vote resulted in Professor Boat
wrghrs election by a vote OF II TO IL,
end the efforts to make It unanimous
failed.
The night after the election about If
teen OF the students marched down the
street 10 Professor Boatwrights resi-
dence singing in loud tones. Richmond
College lies buried in the clay as Boat
wright goes marching in" Be II said.
however TO the credit of the institution
that this action was deprecated by the
majority OF the. students. in fact, all who
did not participate In II. and as result
OF this demonstration crowd was soon
organized and on the next night-Thurs-
day--a band was secured and, In body
the students visited the newly-elected
presidents home and serenaded him.
having first obtained the permission Of
Mayor Taylor
1t Is believed by the majority Of those
connected with the college that Professor
Boatwright wiz not be Influenced by the
opposition that confronts him, and that
he will accept the presidency When
seen by a Dispatch man yesterday the
Professor declined to discuss the question.
but from his remarks 1t was gathered
that this belief was well founded. He
has until June next 20 consider the mat
ter, and IL is more than probable that
until that time he will not announce his
decision
A Dispatch reporter visited the college
yesterday and talked with a number of
students and majority OF the faculty.
The former were outspoken in their preju-
dices either for or against the appointee.
and some very rash statements were
made.
NOT DECIDED TO RESIGN.
The professors were more conservative
in their statements. and evaded answers
10 pertinent questions. Professor Harris
was the first one seen. and when asked
what he had to say about the election
OF president over the heads of the
older professors. replied:
ITO that / have no sort OF objection.
In fact, / conceive that a president may
do much 10 help the college TO whose in
terest l have given my life"
What, then. is the meaning Of the
interview reported in this afternoons
State? Are you correctly represented
there?"
I'm a very hurried talk with the repre-
sentative Of the State. held in a brief
interval between classes, l no doubt con-
veyed the Impressions he has reproduced.
But certainly did not intend TO say
that the faculty, or any member of ii,
would resign"
what. then. was the exact purport Of
your remark?"
well. / was not exactly replying 10
what the State asked. but referred TO
what was In my own mind-viz.. a report
that IL was argued in the trustees meet
ing. that the election should be held now.
rather than next June, in order To give
opportunity TO dissatisfied professors to
find other positions. This. as reported to
me. seemed an invitation to step out
and suggested the remark which the re-
porter very naturally construed as re-
ferring TO his question about the election
OF a president"
"Will you tell me whether or not you
expect to accept the invitation? This.
you know. Is a matter Of public interest"
THE change from a chairman 10 a
president will, of course. affect In va
rious ways the relations of professors to
the executive head We do not know
yet how the duties Of the president have
been defined. nor what lines OF policy he
will inaugurate The interests OF the
college demand that every professor shall
give cordial support TO the constituted
authority. and II. for any cause, one cam
not do this. II Is his plain duty to look
elsewhere For this reason II is inevitable
that. upon any important change OF ad-
ministration or policy. the question Of
resigning shall arise In the mind OF every
professor. But It is obviously improper
for him 10 decide or even to consider 1t
seriously In advance OF full information"
THE objection seems 10 be solely on
account Of the comparative youth Of the
appointee. Is II not?"
by no means" replied the Professor.
gray hairs are not In themselves quail
fcation; nor the lack of them a dis
qualification" and just then the merry
tinkle OF a supper bell sounded. and the
interview was brought to a close.
PROFESSOR PURYEAR CHEERFUL.
Professor Puryear was in good humor
and very laxative on any other subject
than the one at issue. and with merry
twinkle In his eye he announced the
fact that ne was at oil times able 90 look
after himself He had heard OF Professor
Boatwrlghts election and thought he
would accept but further than this he
declined 10 say.
his conversation. and while he admitted
that he had heard OF the action OF the
students In their conduct before Professor
Boatwright he did not think that any
expulslons would result.
IT was started by a gentleman who Is
closely connected with the college and
who IL In position 10 know that DR..
G. H. Ryland. secretary OF the Board Of
Trustees. had taken official notice Of the
conduct OF the young men. and that he
had advised the Board OF Trustees OF II.
Efforts to see DR.. Ryland to substantlate
this proved futile.
hev. DIT Hatcher who Is probably one
or the warmest friends the institution has.
eaid to a Dispatch man yesterday that he
was very sorry indeed that the young
men OF the college had acted as they
old' but he thought Il was a mere boyish
eoulhuon. and that as soon as they re-
ehzed what they had done they would
De heartily ashamed Of themselves He
Wrought the selection OF Professor Boat
"rsh' very wise one and he had no
oouot that he would accept.
IL Is not believed that any further hos
tne concentrations will be made. and il
~ probable that until next June the mat
yer VIII rest in statu QUO.
me FACULTY meets next Monday, and
may then take up the question Of deal
'hg with the offending students.