Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-21
THEY CANNOT COME.
Gen. Ship Explains Why the Cadets
Will Not Attend the Reunion.
EXPENSE WOULD BE TOO GREAT
The Superintendent, I'm Reply to a
Telegram From the Governor,
Writes Fully the Reasons That
Controlled the boards Action.

That the Virginia Military Institute
cadets will not be here TO participate in
the parade incident to the laying OF the
cornerstone Of the JEFF. Davis monument
is now Il settled fact
There are many reasons why they can't
come and these are all fully set forth in
letter written to the Governor by Gene
raj Scott ShIpp, superintendent Of the
institute, which was received by His Ex
cellency yesterday.
THE GOVERNORS TELEGRAM.
ON Tuesday last the Governor wired
General Shipp as follows:
Il regret very much to learn that there
is some doubt about your corps coming to
Richmond on the occasion of the Confede-
rate reunion, and hope there is no founda-
tion for the rumor. l beg to express the
opinion that the absence Of the corps at
the laying Of the cornerstone Of the
monument to the President OF the Con-
federacy would be commented upon, and
fear would do the institute harm. l am
sure every old cadet present would be
greatly disappointed and hurt, and the
old veterans themselves would feel that
Nrgnia's love of the memory OF the
South's beloved President Is waning. BY
all means. General make arrangements
to have your boys here on this memorable
occasion As the Governor of Virginia
would feel their absence deeply. The
alumni here Will aid you I'm every way
possible Crafty me, the alumni, and
every body by wiring me the corps will
come"
GENERAL Ships REPLY.
Last night the Governor received the
following letter i'm reply to his telegram;
SUPERINTENDENT Office, Virginia Military
Institute.
Lexington, Va, May 10. 1895.
His Exccllcncy. Charles Il. OFerrah
Governor OF Virginia, Richmond, Va;
"sir.-Following up telegram OF even
date. l have the honor to state that at
| the semi-aunual meeting of the Board oil
visitors. held i'm Richmond, ON January
| DIST ultimo after fuu consideration OF
| the whole subject, the board resolved
| tbat IL was impracticable 20 take cadets
TO Richmond for the ceremonies OF the
30th Of June. lst and % of July.
..The board consists of eleven members.
All. save two. were present. The affirm
/ atiye vote was 5: negative, l. our
| final dav IS June 2jth. Many caoets
would have 10 return to the institute from
! Richmond. The expense of keeping tne
/ establishment i'm running order until II
/ could be finally closed, would be- 500 or
500. At s. per capita railroad rare
/ would be 500: incidental expenses, 800;
/ aggregating about $1,000 Of expense mat
would be incurred. To this must be added
/ the demands of cadets upon parents Tor
| spending money while IN Richmond.
CADETS WANT TO Go HOME.
"By reason of the Atlanta trip last fall,
| the extra expense OF each cadet this year
/ has averaged about $3.50. our school
! year is already longer than that OF any
/ COLLEGE i'm the country. our organization
! makes this necessary The parents or
many cadets wish their sons to come
home at earliest possible moment; many
are strained 20 utmost tension to meet
expenses already incurred. Already
cadets are making applications 10 be per-
mitted 10 go home, before regular time
/ for close OF session. ! do not feel AT I'D
erty to hold cadets after work of
| year IS ended. and to subject them TO
/ further charges.
"I am sure your EXccllency and the
public will recognize the conclusive
character or foregoing considerations. We
| all recognize the occasion; we all appre-
| ciate the past Kindness courtesy, and
! hospitality Of Richmond We are pleased
and hattered by the interest of old cadets
| to have the battalion in line We should
regard the wishes Of your EXcellency as
| "a command. II ways and means were
at hand TO meet your wishes. We are
still greatly embarrassed by the failure
Of the Bank Of Lexington, having as ye
realized only 20 per cent Of our large
deposit in that bank.
COULDN'T ACT DIFFERENTLY.
"The whole question was definitely dis
posed Of by the Board Of Visitors IN
January. If the board were now Ir
session. in view Of obstacles 10 be over
come / DO not see how the deliberate
conclusion of January could be changed
] would further state that the Academi,
Board entirely concur i'm the action of
the Board Of Visitors upOn this subject
| There are many individuals and organi
zat,ons who would like TO participate
In thes interesting and patriotic ceremo
MES, who will be prevented by circum
stances from doing so. We regret t
find ourselves Of that number.
VERY respectfully.
sYour Obedleut servant,
SCOTT SHIPP, Superintendent.
IF IL meets with your EXceilency''
concurrence. may / ask that this lette
be published In the Dispatch, Times, anC
State, if they are willing to publish?