Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-01

Sc
therefore hope the organization will
neither approve nor disapprove Of Colonel
Miles, but will show the public that they
will not deal in such action as handling
personalities.
Opposed to Secrecy.
Mr. T. W. Christian next took the
floor and explained that the meeting
greW very vehement on the subject, and
spoke at length. He approved Ct the
Meredith resolution, except the person.
alities, which should be cut out
'The question:" he said, sis whether
the board out or ought not to give pub
lie notice, that all names presented for
the position might be given liberal con-
sideration. When chair is to be es-
tablished, publicity should be given and
any other action is contrary to the
spirit Of the Alma Mater. All action
should be as clear as day. In this mat
ter there has been secrecy. All speak of
rumors. The principle also of putting
man in the Office with whom they have
been closely associated for years is bad.
The association should have received
notice of such action, and it has right
to register a protest as to the manner
in which the present matter has been
conducted. It is mistake for the board
to consider for the president one of its
members, as has been proven in the elec-
ton of Judges from the Legislature,
which was abandoned He may resign
when the position is offered to him, but
what does that mean? It but adds to
the obligation Of the board For these
reasons I am opposed to the substitute
resolution"
Mr.. Hunsdon Cary then moved that
the substitute re Iution be laid on the
table since the meeting was not called
to e~eide on the presidency. The motion
was carried
Mr.. Jackson Guy here entered his per-
sonal protest against the method pur-
sued in selecting a man. He said he
would vote against Mr. Joseph Bryan,
recently resigned, as he would against
Mr. Miles. whom he did not know.
.'Eiiminnte Personalities"
It looked as though vote would be
taken on the Meredith resolution at this
turn, when DR.. J. Allison Hodges arose.
He said the resolution was based on an
assumption, and he doubted the right to
bring in political measure. Since the
board would not say that such action
was contemplated, and the whole pro-
ceeding was taking part against one
man, he felt that in voting for the reso-
luton he was condemnng Colonel Miles.
He also argued that the paper would
create antagonism and do the man seri-
Gus wrong. eliminate personalities.
They will not accomplish the end wanted,
but will have the opposite effect. Colo
mel Miles was here yesterday, but left
no man to take care of his good name.
He has acted squarely. and it is not
treating the board right to take such
action
Col. Peters, Effective Talk.
Colonel Peters then came to the front.
He was much affected. He had sat and
listened to sighting remarks against one
Of his favorite old students, who had
carried off high honors in his school, and
was considered one Of the shining lights
of the University, and though he was not
speaking in the interest Of Colonel
Miles for the craftsmanship, he could not
refrain making few remarks about the
man himself.
Colonel Peters said: II am here by
accident. A telegram from Master of
Arts of the University Of Virginia came
to me requesting that I come and hear
this discussion. In obedience to this re-
quest and the promptings of my heart I
am here Colonel Peters then spoke
Of his work at the University and his
love for the same, but, he said, II main
tain tho University needs a stronger and
more efficient head. I want simple.
old-fashioned chairman of the faculty.
No man can be made chairman and pro-
fessor at the, same time. Once I was
asked by members of the board if I
would take it, but I refused I do not
want, nor do I advocate, the appoint
ment of a president. The question is
simple. Select a man and clothe him
with the duties now given the chairman,
making him permanent. Thus he may
give his time to the work. The Univer-
sity is not known. People do not know
that student may take the academic
course for nothing. Actually, some of
the members of the Legislature did not
know it last spring, when T mentioned
it. If permanent chairman can be APP
pointed, good If not, let us accept the
next best thing, which is the lesser of
two evils, and combine the chairman
ship with professorship.
much has been said against Miles. I
is a man of culture, character. and
ability. He was a magnificent student
in my school and is a finished speaker
Miles Practical Man
In speaking Of what Mr.. Miles had
done for the University, Colonel Peters
said: ..For some years the University
had a gloomy outlook. The treasury
was empty, and there was no prospect of
paying the faculty for the coming year.
Miles grasped the stuati ton and took the
subject in hand. He had 5000 appro-
priated, though the treasury was empty,
and started eight men on the road. Pro-
ressors and young men were appointed
and worked during the summer, and in
the fall the number Of students was In
creased by $50 and the situation tided
over Northern and southern States