Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-15
faculty are not among the signers-

! faculty. are not among the slgHei Q.
have seen a very strong. and able let1er
I from one OF these gentlemen. once an
able chairman, ably and strongly q
proving the course Of the Hboard anu
recommending Colonel Miles.
To my mind this protest was un1ustiila-
Bile and cruel. I know it was severely
condemned by an old professor.
Colonel Miles did not present. himsen
for the place. He was askEaADy tne
| board to, accept it. Heat nrst
declined it; but, afterwards upon the
earnest solicitation of members or the
board. among them one of our most us
tinguished. fellow citizens here, he con-
sented to take the matter into cons1dera-
ton.
The election Of chairman was post
poned till the October meeting and II.
Barringer. was requested to hold his place
as chairman until the October meeting.
The protest and personal abuse OF Col
onel Miles is not only a grave charge
against him; but it is severe criticism
of the board and charge against them.
They have no cnoice but to vind1cate
themselves and the gentleman whom
they have exposed to the shafts OF the
faculty and certain students and alumni.
The specific charges that have been
made against Colonel Miles must say
are more suggestive of spite and personal
i'll feeling than of sound and deliberate
Judgment.
Looking over the list of sgners to the
protest, I can recognize only small
number of them who brought to their
professorships greater distinction or
wider reputation for scholarship, good
management. and high character than
honors the name of Colonel Miles, what,
ever they may have achieved since.
The charge about the six tickets. Is not
only unkind, but absurd. In this con-
nection I give you an extract from let
ter of Professor Wheeler, of the Greek
chair, when Mr.. Miles was at the Uni
versity:
GAS he was necessarily prevented from
attending the examinations for. gradua-.
tion it seems to me no more than just.
that I should in accordance with his
request, state in writing such judgment
as I was able to form concerning the
quality of his work.
His diligence was exemplary, his capa-
city for linguistic studies unusual. AL
though he entered the class at the time
when tho course of instruction was some
what advanced. he was able very soon
to make himself at home in all parts Of
the work and to make sound, continuous,
and rapid progress, showing quick intel
ligence and the power Of concentrated ap-
pication. I feel no doubt however. that
he would have graduated in the School of
Greek, with high distinction, had it beer.
possible for him to be present at The
University from beginning to the end of
the session; and it is matter for no little
regret with me that his name is not upon
the list of graduates under my teaching.
may add here, although I have no
direct knowledge in regard to the success
of Mr.. Miles as a teacher, that he i'm
pressed me as a man sure of success.
His manly bearing, his pleasant manners,
his ready wit, his quick perception, his
patient diligence, would all stand him in
good stead, and I should think that he
could not fail to win the respect and re-
gard Of young men and give them good
guidance in learning.
(Signed) JOHN II. WHEELER.
Professor of Greek"
Another grave charge was made in my
presence. and the same day deliberately
withdrawn by one OF the faculty.
The personalities that have characterize
ed the attacks on Colonel Miles will do
good to no one connected with the Uni
versty.
I am not a partisan of Colonel Miles,
but. I want to see the honor SYSTEM
of the university in all its affairs.