The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-08-04
COL. MILES EXPLAINS
HIS POSITION
EE BITTERLY ATTACKS FAC
ULTT OF THE UNIVERSITY.

=
ne BITTERLY ATTACKS FAC
ULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY.
Charges Nepotism and Snobery-
Says Some Professors Are Addicted
10 Drink and Others Pedagosic
Failures.
Col. q. W. Miles, of Radiord, in u
pamphlet addressed 10 the People Oi
Virginia, makes al exhaustive review OF
the controversy in relation to the selec
ton of "a president of the University Oi
Virginia. "a controversy IN which he has
been subjected 10 butter criticism, as his
election To the position has been earnest
H. urged by his friends. Col Miles is III
sparlng in bis castig alton Of members OF
the faculty who have antagonized aud
attacked him. lie accuses them OF slau-
dering him and Of attempting to eyade
the consequences by sbilty evasions. he
also makes charges of ialsehOOd aud
malice, and asserts that some of the pro
lessons are failures ~ instructors, aud
that Others are addicted TO Intoxicating
drink
he traces his official connection with
the university back to 1898. when b.
WAS appointed member of toe board oi
visitors by GOV. Tyler. The university,
ne says, was III bad cOndition-treasury
empty, deficit of $4,000. number Ul
students fallen to about 100, a told,
government intlamed disturbed aud
discOrdant About $500 annually has
been spent in advertising At a. iu-
stance the advertising fund was IL
creased TO $4,000, and the result WAS IL
gain Of over a hundred students aud a
surplus Of $1,000. Because OF zeal
Ousles in the iaculty." Col Miles says. his
plan WAS abandoned. DR.. Barringer Re
cured control OF the lends and lost the
sympathy Of the best workers of The fac
ulty, land under his management Of the
iund the number of students fell oil
again about 100 in the ses. on OF
lyOl-2.'
FlNALLN CONSENTED.
In June, 1902. Col Miles says be was
approached 10y Carter Glass aud uauiel
Harmon on the subject of accepting the
craftsmanship OF the faculty. lledecli1ed
partly because of his business epgage
ments and partly because he felt he had
been compelled to oppose and offend 20
many members OF the faculty that he
could not expect TO be receiS' kindly
He consented to consider the subject IN
I'll the October meeting. Dr. Barr'nge-
acting meanwhile Ia October Col Nj -
, again declined, but was told all the me n.
bers OF the board favored him. Soon
after this his business affairs took such
shape that he felt free In August. 1902.
after more persuasion, he decided To
low his name TO be considered for chair
man and sent his resignation from tie
board to the Governor.
Immediately. he declares. a "viral-nt
and concerted assault was made upon
him by certain members OF the facdlty.
For this he offers the following explain
tiOns
First had opposed many OF their
wishes and views in the discharge of my
duty while a member Of the board.
Second They were envious and jealous
because several OF them desired this pos
ton themselves
Third-SOme of the more innocent aud
honorable ones OF them were made TO b. .
lieve that | was man whO had schemed
for this position. and did not have
character sufficiently high ard wort5y
to meet its requirements.
Fourth They had be m allowed so lOng
to do as they pleased with the board II
visitors and TO govern and control the
Institution with their scholastic o.
garchy, that they could not bea- Il
idea OF any disturbance in existing cor
tiODs
ALEATEp sCHEED.
after much bystericel discussion. sew
enteen OF them united 10 "a sO-called pro.
test against my selection. which soon De.
generated into a diseased and heat j
screed against my Intellectual attain
meuts in the field OF economics. con.
tinues Col. Miles
la relation TO the protest against bi-
selection, signed by certa members Oi
the faculty, he says:
From conversations with members al
the board and from friends ! found that
there was going on a systematic and en-
ergetic attempt TO break dOwl nv cha
g tier 10 the eyes OF the people Of Virginia
and among the students ofthe university
Such gossip Ongering has rarely e'-
plotted itself in any circle. much less when
to he as honorable and di-ii-
lied az the professors Of n great Stat
One OF their fayori'' meth
DDS was 10 writ communications to tho
papers over nom de planes
iul OF scurrility and insinUations Pro
Richard Heath Dsbney excelled at this
Col. Miles then reviews the proc dimes
st the meeting OF the board at which the
protest was discussed, Col Niles ard
,OuDsel being present. At this m ting
the following resolutions were pass !:
Resolved, That the board desires t. "A.
press its absolute confidence in the high
aud unsullied character Of Mr. Niles. a.
well az its appreciation OF bis loyalty to
the university and the valuable services +
rendered by him ia promoting it's int'r :
ssts while serving as "a member OF The
board
Col Miles asserts that one of the sigr-
srs OF the protest two years ago was be
ore the board on the charge of drunken ,
ness. aud was given p years probation
upon the recommendation OF Col. Miles.
In conclusion Col. Miles says:
Ii, in the judgment OF the majority Of
the board, have not the qualities, char
scter, training, and equipment that they
Expect to find in an officer of this kind, .
then would not embarrass the situa. ,
ion one moment by having my name ,
considered; but | protest against such :
iimsy, hysterical, and Inconsistent !
grounds OF opposition as those stated by ,
Dr.. Msllet and his committee being male 4,
he occasion OF my unayailability, and ,,
ubmit that question to the iair-minded ,
men and women OF Virginia. /,
A swINIsH TUsKlNG.
When took up my service on the board
II visitors, il was labor of love, and '
arried the university on my mind a.
much as | did my own school. | had
hought OF il as place where the spirit
II courtesy, faith, and honor reigned,
md that it was sacred shrine, where
men could go back and light again those
.orches, should they become snuiied out
n the hard battles OF life | hardly ex-
)ected such swinish tusking as that TO
which have been subjected by these Off