Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-28
THE COLLEGE BoYs IN EARNEST.
they Choose Major A. 3. Lamier Cap
tnin-Studies Not to suffer.

i"es '"oose major A. =. Lanier Cap.
tnin-studies Not to suffer.
The patriotism and enthusiasm of the
students OF Richmond College to organize
military company to fight Spain carries
one old enough to remember II back I'd
the days when the South was girding her
loins for the great conflict in behalf of
constitutional rights and liberty. and our
universities and colleges were afiame with
| patriotism and enthusiasm for the cause.
| Thursday meeting Of the students
was held with a view TO effecting their
| object and large number OF names were
enrolled. A unanimous desire was ex-
pressed to have Major A.. s. Lanier. of
General Phillips's staff, to command the
company. He was communicated with.
and in reply said. before giving any def
mite answer, he preferred to consult with
President Boatwright and the other au-
rhorities of the0college, without whose
consent he would be unwilling to consider
the matter. Major Lanier met President
Boatwright yesterday evening and dis
cussed the matter thoroughly. The Presi-
dent manifested very great interest in
the matter, and was deeply gratified at
the evidence Of patriotism amongst the
students, but was reluctant TO take any
action because Oh some difficulties in the
way. Most Of the students are young men
between the ages of Is and q, and the
President. feeling that he and the faculty
stood somewhat In the place of the pa
rents to these young men, was unEill-
Ing TO consent to any action being taken
that would irrevocably commit the stu
dents to enlistment who are under age
until their parents could be communi-
Gated with@
Another objection was that the exami-
nations are near at hand, and most Of
the students who wanted TO enlist were
applicants for degrees, and Il was feared
that even If they were not called out
until after the close of the session. the
distraction incident. TO the organization
OF the company would disqualify them for
passing the examinations. All these OBJ
teetons, however. we're met by the assu-
rance that it would be some time before |
the company could be organized, or |
would probably be called into service. and |
In the mean time the parents could be |
communicated with; that as far as inter-
fcring with examinations were concerned. |
that could be avoided by having the drills |
on the college campus at such hours as
the boys usually take for their daily ex-
ercise.
VbJffiiOuS DtlHS met, Tie fTcSl-
dent permitted a meeting to be held, on
which there was large attendance. An
application In due form OF law for au-
thOrity TO organize the company was
Drawn up and signed by between thirty
I've and forty men. with the understanding
hat they would not be finally committed
20 enlistment until the difficulties above
mentioned were removed a committee
vas appointed to communicate with the |
'ther colleges and universities I'm the
State. Mr. Norfeet will go to Randolph
Macon College to-day to inaugurate a
imilar movement, and with the ultimate
,lan to consolidate all the college stu
lents who want to enlist into the COM
ANY being organized at Richmond Col
ege
Major Laaier was unanimously elected |
aptain, and thanked the men in a neat
peech, in which he explained very inte-
estingly the details of organization, and
he responsibilities and obligations incl
ent to a soldiers life. No other officers !
7ere elected, 1t being thought better to |
ostpone the same until things had taken
more definite shape. and the students ,
( other colleges could be heard from.
Major Lanier says he hopes to be able
} secure authority from the Governor to
rganiZe the company, I'm which event he |
ill have the necessary number of men
a few days.