The times., 1899-06-24
THEIR DIPLOMAS WITHHELD.
Virginia Military Institute Gradu-
ntes Punished for mn Escapade.

Lexington, Va, June 23.-The final COM
mencement at the Virginia Military Insti-
tute yesterday was like drums without
heads which give no response. for
there was an absence of sheen skins which
had since the foundation of the school
been conferred at the closing exercises on
the graduates. and tn response given
forth at the magic name of diploma" was
thrilling cheers from the recipients COM
rades in arms No stole ever carried him
self under punishment like the class of
1899 of the Virginia Military Institute.
They may have been boys when it came to
their frivolous escapade last December, but
their noble bearing certainly showed them
to be men. They had put away childish
things. There was no air of bravado; they
were being penalized and they knew 1t,
and took it as such.
The question of giving them their dip'o-
mas was not discussed in the meetings OF
the board. 1t had been settled at the
meeting in January and that, as far as
they were concerned, ended the matter
When they will get their diplomas, how
they will get them. what each mans
standing is, where theI will get them. no
known is that they shall not be publicly
graduated and that the diplomas OF those
who may qualify for them shall be award
ed in such manner and at such time as the
superintendent may determine, not earlier
than September /, 1882" There the matter
ends.
The reason for the withholding of the
diplomas and refusing public graduation
was one of the penalties prescribed for the
class breach of discipline by having jol-
LITIGATION on the top Of the barracks on
the night of December 81, 1898, after being
warned not to attempt such a prank. The
whole class was dismissed at that time.
except G., A. Derbyshire, who was on duty.
Captain Derbyshire did not receive his di-
ploma, as he wished TO receive 1t with his
class when they are awarded theirs.
The roster of the first class, which
should have graduated yesterday. is as fol-
lows:
C. H. Alexander, Danville, Va; ]. B.
Ayers, Big Stone Gap, Va; s. F. DENLY,
Washington, d. c.: G. A. Derbyshire,
Richmond. va; H. S. Ervay, Colorado
Springs, Col; P. d. Ewing, Uniontown,
Pa; f. D. Griffin, Galveston. Tex; W. NJ.
Gwin, San Francisco, CAL; A A. Hoge,
| Staunton, Va; F. Jones. Iron Gate, Va. !;
J. C. Kent, Wytheville, Va; L. X. Leake,
Licking. Va; NJ. E. Locke. Cincinnati,
| Ohio; ]. j. Marshall, Markham, Va; V.
| E. McBee, Norfolk, Va; S. H. Meem,
Mount jackson, Va: R. ". Miller Wood
Vile, Va; A. Moreno, Panama, Central
America; H. G. Morrison, Gate City, Va.
D. Otey, Lynchburg, Va; j. K. Payne,
Warrenton, Va; j. NJ. Peters, Norfolk,
Va; C. w. Pohl. New York; A. C. Polk.
| Galveston, Tex: Ii. Powell, Alex
andria, Va; w. D. Scott, Fredericks-
burg, Va; H. l. Shaner, Lynch
| burg. Va; D. B. Shaver, Rock
ingham. Va; F. A. Sullivan, Eikton, KY;
| S. G. Talbot, Richmond, Va; D. T. Will
! liams. Danville. Va; w. Wood, Bristol,
Va; J. W. Yates, Markham, Va; n.
| Young. st. Glars Bottom. Va; w. L.
Zimmer Jr.. Petersburg, Va.
H. ]. Kremer, Columbus, Ohio, did not
| return after he was dismissed in January
L fnr Ihainp a narficinant in the escanaha