Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-02-13

he lOHOWihb PioVVo' WIN Va
self.
AS Alumni of the University of Vir-
ginia the undersigned respectfully but
earnestly protest against the passage OF
the "Bill to incorporate the General
Alumni Association Of the University OF
Virginia, with authority to issue certif-
icates of membership to local associa-
tions and individuals composing said
General Alumni Association, for the
following among other reasons:
1. That the charter of the Society OF
Alumni, has adopted February s, 1873,
did not provide for or contemplate Its
own dissolution and merger in the sum-
mary and inconsiderate manner in
which these objects were sought to be
accomplished at the small meeting Of
Alumni on June II, 1902; and the le-
gality of said action may well be ques-
| toned.
9. That the said meeting, at which
the so called merger was declared was
not sufficiently Representatives. to warrant
action, which, we believe, does not re-
fleet the sentiment of the great body OF
the Alumni.
8. That the adoption of a new con-
stitution of such radical character with
out previous notice to, or consideration
by, any of the local associations, or of
and considerable number of Alumni, was
unseemly and utterly at variance with
established usage in such cases, and the
election of officers for two years, under
constitution so adopted, was in violation
of good taste and the rights of the
Alumni generally throughout the coun-
try.
4. That the principle of central power
as opposed to individual action is con-
trary to all Virginia traditions, and es-
pecially to the teachings of Jefferson.
5. That the local associations are en-
tirely shorn of their power, dignity and
independence, and, as a consequence,
will be shorn of their interest-the
power being given, in section 8 of said
bill, to the general association to admit
or reject members of the local associa-
tions. Individual alumni are to have no
standing at all except such as may be
conceded by the general association.
There is an undue concentration OF
power in the executive head of said as
sociation which may become dangerous
and offensive.
6. That local associations are compe-
tent to decide who shall be their mem
bers without interference by the execu-
tive committee Of the general associa-
ton.
7. That alumni of the university
whether members of local associations
or noD are entitled to a standing as
such-the records of the institution af-
fording the necessary proof OF their
credentials. without the need of certif-
Gates signed by the president and secre-
tary of said general alumni association.
s. That while each member of local
association and each individual alumni s
must pay an initiation fee and an annual
capitat.on tax he does not become a
member of the general association unless
in the former case he IS elected a dele
gate and, in the latter, unless he proves
that he does not belong to a local asso-
citation. or does not live within a con-
venient distance to the place where one
exists.
9. That there is no check in the con-
stitution or proposed bill of incorPora-
ton upon the running expenses of the
general association, nor any provision
| for bond to secure the safe custody OF
its funds.
10. That there is no good and sufll-
cient reason why the President OF this
or any other association should be the
head of its executive committee to
whose hands the entire management OF
its affairs is committed.
1The original of this protest was sent
to w. r. Duke, chairman of the com
mittee to whom the bill was referred.
1t was signed by Gen. w. H. Payne,
Major Holmes Conrad, Leigh Robinson,
Cazenove G. Lee, VIM. Fl. Saunders,
R. L. Preston. Monte Griffith, H.
w. Hunter and E. i. McClellend.