The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-26
washington and Lee a Chris
tlan School.
BUTNOTDENOM INATIONAL
Or. Stricken in Letter Sets Forth the
Policy Of the Board Giving Reason
for Not Admitting Alumni
to Representation.
From a Staff Correspondent.

LEXINGTON, VA. June 8.-There has
been recently a great deal OF discussion
OF the question as to whether Washing.
ton and Lee was sectarisn institution
Several writer's in The Times-Dispatch
have taken ono view or other, and here
In Lexington It is much talked.
have learned to-day that the Board
OF Trustees denied the request for alumni
representation on the board, Tor the rea'
son that It was feared that IN that way
Presbyterian control OF the lnstNut.oh
might be lost. This application vas dis
cussed at length at the session OF ING
board a few days ago.
DIR. sTRrCKLERs LETTER
Raw. DR.. G. 3. strlokler, OF Richmond,
who Is rector OF the university, pre-
sented the following paper. which is
thought to express the sentiment OF
majority OF the board. though 1t was not
formally adopted: a..
I'm response to the application o. ths
alumni for representation on the Boaro
ortTr,,stees OF this university. the board
ndops the following paper:
1--WE very highly appreciate every e2'
nression OF Interest in the University on
tho BART OF the alumni. and all EFFORTS on
their part to enhance It's prosperity. we
profoundly regret therefore, that we can
not see our way clear to grant their re-.
quest for direct representation IN our
board The consideration that controls us
IS the religious policy OF the institution
adopted at the beginning and observed
ever since. AS Is we'll known this is NOT
sectarIan school-that Is. tho peculiar
fenets OF no religious sest are taught In
It. nor Is 1t UNCONVENTIONAL school
that is, 1t Is not under the control OF any
church court; nor has 1t ever been ad-
xninistered in the interest OF any partcu.
lar denomination, as It's past history ana
present condition plainly show; but 1t Is
a. Christian school and has always been,
and was always intended to DO. under the
control OF a board composed OF majority
OF Presbyterian Christians. representing
those by whom the school was originally
founded. and by whom It's AFFAIRS have al
ways been managed.
This control we believe we have no
right to surrender. and. therefore. be-
cause 1t would be tmperilled by tho pro-
posed plan of alumni representation we
are constrained with sincere regret to de-
cline it
THEY ARE ALUMNI.
TT should DO remembered. however
that the board is now with single ex-
ception) made up OF alumni. and that It
has always been SO; and the alumni may
DO assured that 1t will always continue
so. and that the affairs OF the institution
Will continue TO be administered In the
future in the Same broad and catholic
Tpirit which has always marked Its his
tory In the past.
"As we have had assurances from tho
leaders In this alumni movement that
they have no dere to change the policy
Of The Institution. and as In the respect
men toned their plan would probably
bring about that result. we trust We may
anticipate their aequiescence In the con-
clusion which the board has reached.
It Is believed that this statement from
DR.. Stricken will be taken as authorfa-
tive and decisive in all future discussions
OF the subject OF Washington and Lees
sectarianism.