Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-12
following open letter. to be mailed to the
people OF Richmond:
To tto pnrxt1 - rt.Is...A.

people OF Richmond:
TO the People OF Richmond:
On the "a day of October. 1891 Lewis
Glntcr. Richmond's foremost citizen In
life. His death was little less than a
public calamity. In every department OF
our commercial, Industrial, and social
ille he was a most important factor \
man OF exceptional business capacity and
great wealth, he had both the ability 10
conceive and the ability 10 carry for
ward numerous enterprises Of inestimable
good TO all our people. or broad syfnpa-
thies and unfaillng generosity. his death
was no less loss TO the community than
10 those who were the recipients OF his
unostentatious charity. Even in death
his benefactions ceased not for by his
viii he beQueathed thousands 10 many
noble institutions In our midst, whose
maintenance during his life had been
the objects of his fostering care.
SENTIMENTS OF SINCREST REGRET
The death of such man. SO public
spirited, so capable. and SO humane,
awakened, as well II might sentiments OF
sincerest regret among all classes BY
every means In their power our people
sought To show their sorrow at his death.
and affectionate regard for his memory.
These sentiments. so universal found
further expression in movement 10 erect
some suitable memorial which should
make known TO those who are. and those
who are 70 follow, the record of mis-
honorable and useful life, and the high
regard in which ne was held by the people
Of Richmond.
This movement has taken definite form
in the organization of the Ginter Memorial
Association, in whose name this call is
made.
Many forms Of memorials-monument
statues. hospitals, and libraries-have
been suggested. IL is believed however
that IL would be more i'm accord with his
some institution which. through all the
years TO come, would help the minds and
hands of those who labor. The Mechanics
Institute of this city. a night school OF
technology. Is such an institution Ii Is
confidently submitted that no more ap-
propriate memorial could be created than
the endowment of this school. In it's sue
cess ne always felt deep interest, as
eVlnced by his constant contributions du-
ring life, and generous bequest at his
death.
WORTHY OF THE SUPPORT.
The Mechanics Institute is well worthy
OF the support Of our people. Having its
origin In the admitted necessity for such
a school, II has, by sheer force of its
right 10 live. commanded support. and
year after year enlarged the sphere OF its
usefulness. until to-day, with a corOs OF
thirty instructors and 231 scholars, IL
stands one of the noblest institutions
which adorn our city.
II has no endowment. The building now
occupied Is "A rented one. and inadequate
to accommodate the young men who seek
admission to its classes.
To honor the memory of Lewis Ginter.
the Ginter Memorial Association propose
10 raise by popular subscription the
sum or 100000, with which TO erect suit
able buildings, and provide the nucleus
OF an endowment fund for this institution.
It's name Will hanged to the Ginter
Memorial institute and thus upon a firm
basis will be established an institution
which shall at once be a monument to his
memory and benefaction 20 our people.
We invoke the aid of the citizens of
Itichmond. We deem ii their privilege no
less than their duty TO contribute to such
a cause. The city will honor itself by
doing honor 10 the memory and worth of
BEVERLY B. MUNFoRD
JOHN =. BRANCH
A. BARGAMIN.
Committee for the Memorial Association.
UNWISE TO CHANGE THE NAME
Major Randolph thought it would be
unwise TO change the name of the
Mechanics Institute as he felt positive
il would prove unsatisfactory TO the
people generally. He thought it would
be well, though, if Major Glnter's name
could. in some way. be embodied in the
title OF the institute
An alarm of fire coming i'm at this
moment, Chief Puller had to retire but
before doing so he said his department
stood ready to do all in Ns power TO for
ward the cause. "I'he firemen,' he said,
"will never forget Major Gnter's liber-
ality to them on the occasion of the
burning of his factory in this city"
Judge George L. Christian, taking
issue with Major Randolph, said he knew
that opposition d d exist to a change
of name, but that it was impossible to
please every one. "What the people
want" he said. lis mechanics insti-
tute, and whether 1t is a Ginter Insti-
tute or a Mechanics Institute, doesn't
matter to them. Our object is to erect
a memorial TO Major Ginter, and we
should not change our tactics. We don't
want any hybrid name. That won't suit
| anybody"
Mr.. l.. T. Christian said he had heard
some say they would hate TO have the
name of the Virginia Mechanics Insti-
tute blotted out He thought it would
| be well TO hold to that name and add
"Ginter Memorial" to ii.
Mr.. Greenwood suggested calling the
| institution the Virginia Mechanics Insti-
tute and Ginter Memorial Night School of
Technology.
MR.. HUTZLER'S MOTION.
Mr.. Hutzler moved that the name be
made the Ginter Mechanics Institute,
and Mr. Munford agreed that such
name would be well, as the institution
must be known as a memorial to Major
Ginter. in order to secure subscriptions.
Mr.. II. NJ Starke seconded Mr.. Hutz-
ler's motion, and ii was agreed to amend
the committees report by substituting
the name of "Ginter" for Virginia"
The report was then adopted without
further changes, Mr.. Ellyson saying he
thought the amount asked for-slOOOOO-
was reasonable, and that there were good
prospects for realizing IT.
Mr.. Valentine asked for action on his
suggestion, that the president be re-
ouired to countersign all his checks. and
this was ordered to be done. The meet
ing then adjourned
GENERAL CANADIAN CONFERENCE.