Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-29

=
nond alumni of the University of Vir-
ginia. held at the Chamber of Commerce
yesterday afternoon, listened to stirring
speeches by Messrs Thomas Nelson PaSe'
e. C. Massie. jackson Guy, and Wynd-
ham Meredith and adopted resolutions
favoring the creation of an executive
head for the University, and proVlolns
for a committee of five to confer with
the Board of Visitors Committee as 20
the title of such officer. las functions, and
mowers A strong sentiment in favor of
the selection of businessman as head
of the institution was developed, ana
there was unanimity in the view tnat the
institution shall be kept free from polltics.
One or more of the speakers even went SO
far as to advocate separation OF the
University from State control and patron
age. On this last proposition, however.
there was no action, nor is there likely
to be.
The name OF Mr.. Miles, who has been
prominently suggested for head or the
institution, was not mentioned Inc ac-
tion of the meeting in taking preliminary
steps to secure a general organization VI
alumni with a view to acquiring the more
potent influence in directing the aHalrs
Of the school was advocated IN every
speech. 1t now seems probable tnat tne
Alumni, not OF this city alone. but Serer-
a1ly. will exercise a potent influence in
defining the title and duties and powers
Of the executive, and in the selection OF
| the man. Whether or not their influence
would be for or against Mr. Miles is
| largely a latter of speculation. Inc
Richmond ...apter is on record as adverse
| to his selection. It is i-ely that TINS
| chapter which has ta..en the initiative
! in the movement inaugurated yesterday
| to unite the various alumni ASSOCIATIONS
| into a compact organization Will nave
| marked influence on any such general
| body of alumni. Some Of the most IN
+, fiuential gentlemen at the meeting and
several prominent alumni of the State
! are advocates of the selection of Mr- Niles
| however.
| Criticism Of Management.
! In several of the speeches yesterday
/ there was severe criticism OF the lack
of business methods in the management
of the University, DR.. Thomas Nelson
page, of Washington, being among those
most outspoken along this line. He 1t
was who first urged the local assocla-
| ton to communicate with other asso-
/ cia tions and unite all into an organization
| the influence of which shall not terminate
! with the selection of president but
! shall be permanent. Mr.. Eugene Z. Mas
sic. who followed him deplored the fact
that the alumni had never had the voice
they should have in the affairs OF the
| University He advocated the severance
| of what he termed political bandages. :
The Meeting in Detail.
Mr. Murray NJ Mcguire presided, and
| Mr. Hunsdon Cary was secretary OF the
| meeting.
AS soon as it had been called to order
F.! Mr. Mcclure reminded the alumni that
| the University football team would soo1,
play a game in this city and urged all the
| local alumni to give the team the en-
| courag cement of their presence
Resolutions Adopted.
Mr.. Wyndham r. Meredith then offered
the following, which was the occasion Tor
| the free and somewhat elaborate express
sion of views that followed:
| Be it resolved, That the Richmond chap
ter of the Alumni Association OF the
| University has learned through the pub
lie press with pleasure and hearty appro-
val of the action of the Board of Visi-
recent meeting the following resolutions:
Resolved first, That in the opinion OF
the board, the University should have an
| executive mead, not selected from the
| teaching corps, and with powers and du-
! ties more extensive than those belonging
to the Office of chairman Of the faculty.
! Resolved second, That committee OF
three be appointed to urge upon the Cen
eral Assembly the expediency of enactins
as early as possible legislation expressly
authorizing the board to create such an
office, of which committee the rector shall
be chairman.
"Resolved thir4 That said committee
shall report to the board what shall be
the title of the occupant of such Office
and the details of the functions to be
performed, and as far as practicable, the
committee shall communicate with the
Alumni Association of the University anc
invite their views.
"Resolved fourth. That meeting of the
board shall be called to consider the
report of the committee as soon as the
same is ready to be submitted"
In order that there may be vehicle
Of communication between this chapter
and the Board of Visitors, il that body
| shall desire; be it further,
Resolved, That the president of thi:
II chapter be authorized ana sG!fecteu =
appoint committee Of I'VE VINO shall o.
prepared to confer with SAID board as U
the title. functions, scope of authority
. and other duties. and powers of sucl
i president. the method Of his nomination
| and election the nature of the Legislation
necessary to establish the office and tn
provisions of such proposed bill, and salt
committee shall report back to this chap
ter.
DR.. Pages Criticism.
Among the first speakers was Dr.. Page
a warm advocate of an executive head TO
. the University Though not a member Q