The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-03

Secretary Herbert PTeSides and Makes a
Stirring address.
POSTMASTER GEN. WILSON ELOQUENT
Professor Thornton Outlines tho Plans for
the New Buildings aud His Remarks
sfoGreeted with Applause Com
mittec Appointed and Reso-
iufions Passed.

WASHINGTON. u. G.. Nov. special.
The mass-moeting OF the Alumni Associa-
ton and the friends OF tho University OF
Virginia at Wnlard's Hall tonight was
a greater success than had been antici-
pateI
Secretary Of the Navy Herbert presided
ana the eloquent appeals MADE py III
Herbert Poslmastcr-fie fiencral wilson, 90
lcitor-Gcneral Holmes Conrad, ana others
Tor assistance IN restoring the INSTITUTION
must have an effect ;nat viii rtach rom
one emu OT the country 10 the Otht-
The stage of Wizards Hal was occupied
by distinguished men. while the audi
torium was nlled with a gathering 0t IN
huential citizens. most OK them accom-
The enthusiasm OF the audience was re
marnabic. and tho applause WITH Wmlch
the different speeches were received was
prolonged and sincere. .....
Upon tho stage were. besides Secretary
HerDert Postmaster 6eneral wilson, j.:
NJ. Blackford. principal Of the Episcopal
High School near Alexandra, Thomas
Nelson Page. SoicitOr-General Holmes
conrad Professor W. NJ. Thornton, tfo-
fessOr Schele De We're, VINO was Tor
nearly fifty years a member of the M ~
Or. ". h.. GlazebTOok. kcv. Or. Mckim
Gardiner c. Hubbard, and others kfI-
resentatiVe Tazewell Elicit ana ". X,
Meredith president Of the kichmond
Alumni Association. who mad come from
Richmond to attend the meeting, were In
the audience.
SECRETARY BEBBER1's SPEECH.
Secretary Herbert. IN opening the meet
fallen the University. The Institution nad
been since its foundation by Thomas Jel,
lersOn one Of the leaders IN ciucaLOild4
work in the United states
lie spoke Of the strict adherence 10 thc
merit system OF tho University ana sdld
that the standard of honor was higher
among the students there tnan lronaply
in any others institution in the country.
He then introduced Or. William NJ.
Thornton. chairman or the University Ia
Guilty. Professor Thornton was received
with enthusiastic applause.
He described tho building which hau
been destroyed. and told how the calamity
occurred. When ho related how the
statue Of jefferson was saved by the
students there was tremendous applause.
The devotion Of the students 10 the nj
Ncrsity was shown. he SAID 10y theiF
heroic efforts 10 ave the library
it was necesSai 20 order them out of
the burning building to prevent their
working amidst the flames.
He showed the spirit that prevailed
among those about the University buiid-
ing by relating with visible emotion how
the ladies gathered about the burning
building while the students were making
heroic efforts 10 save "a portion Of ITS
contents and prayed that no lives should
be lost. Continuing. ne spoke cloquently
Of the efforts that must be made TO re-
Store tne rOlnnad.
TO BE RESTORED.
The Board Of Visitors. ne said, viii meet
at the University on Monday and the
members Of the faculty have prepared
a report TO be submitted. recommending
the immediate reconstruction Of the build
Ing and giving an estimate or the COST or
thc fire proof structure He had no oount
the board would at once select an aren't
tect. and that hy next summer possibly
bv next March. visitors 20 the University
VIII fnd the rotunda restored in all its
original beauty.
Professor Thornton spoke Of the neces-
sity for doing more than merely restOr-
Ing the building. This. ne said. Is an era
of new ideas-a new spirit pervades the
educational wOrld-and IL IS necessary
that the University should be prepared 10
meet the new conditions which are sprins-
Plans Tor new group Of buildings are
being prepared. 10 is proposed To- build
an academic building in an isolated posi-
tion. so that danger from future confla-
gratiOns may be lcsSened
IL Is also proposed 10 have independent
buildings for the School of Natural lhil-
osophy the Law School and the Engi-
neering Department.
yRuIr AND INTEGRITY.
Concluding. y. said the University of
Virginia has Hood for a great deal i'm
OF truth and integrity which has been
generally adopted throughout the South
in academic government.
The honor system. which is just now
being adopted by many of the northern
colleges. has always prevailed at the
University. and was as much the child
OF Thomas jefferson as the University
itself
He believed the institution has q great
and glorious future before IT.
PosTMAsTHI-GxNrElL WILSON.
Postmaster-Goneral Wilson. who spoke
next aroused the sentiment Of his hear
era to the highest pitch with his elo-
quence. The great work ana the history
OF the University. he said, We're beyond
the power of earthly agencies TO destroy.
lie thought the calamity which had be
fallen the institution might prove a bless
ing in disguise. because the flames that
had destroyed the. rotunda had kindisu
other flames within the hearts OF the
alumni and the friends Of the University
all over the country, which would not be
subdued until the work Of restoration
had been accomplished and such substan,
tial aid given the institution as would
insure it's increased usefulness IN the
great work IL Is carrying ON.
He said that considering its limited
revenues. the work II aceomphshes Is
moi only wonderful. but 70 those not ia
miliar with It. incredible, and dollar
given 10 assist II would Probably be bet
ter Invested than ii could be anywhere
else
TIgsT UNIVERSITY IN AMFnIck.
Following Mr.. Wilson, Hon. Gardiner @.
Hubbard. OF this city. read a carefully
prepared address. showing that the u nj
versity OF Virginia was the first real
university in America. and describing the
views Of Jefferson on the subject OF higher
education.
SolicItor-General Holmes Conrad spoke
OF the honor system at the University,
and said the Institution had done more
than any other TO promote the principles
Of truth and honor among its sluu.h,s'
Rev. Or. X. H. Mck!m also made an
eloquent address. The following reSolu-
tions were then read by Thomas Nelson
Page and were unanimously adopted:
THE EisoLUfIoNs.
Resolved by the Washington alumni
and friends Of the University OF virginia
assembled ga maSs-meetlng. lhat We ue-
plore the destruction OF the buildings or
the University. 70 dear 10 many OF us,
connected az they are with happy memo
ries OF our college days, ana we aeNocdte
the immediate restoration or the old
buildings 10 conform I'm outward dts'sh
az closely as possible 20 the originals as
planned by Thomas jefferson. go
Resolved. That We have heard Win
pride. though not with surprise. or the
splendid action Of our young brothers.
the present students OF the University,
and that the acted only as we knew they
would act in the hour Of our mothers
need.
Resolved further. That this action is an
inspiraiion 20 us.
Resolved. That We have learned with
pleasure OF the prompt and generous ac-
lion OF the alumni aad friends Of the
University I'm Richmond. Va. and that
NO hoDefiilly call on other alumni asSOcia-
lions throughout the country 20 second
IL 10 the extent Of their ability.
Resoiyed. That the recommendations OF
A la lon 20 aI