The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-11-18
FELT THEY HAD NO
OTHER ALTERNATIVE
No Fear That the Paper Now
Signed BY the Entire Class
Will Not Go Through
the Board All Right.
Penalties to Be
Imposed.

Especial to The Times Dlspatch.)

8.ft Especial to The eIfmea-DLSpflLCn.) gSs. *
LEXINGTON, VA. November l7.-
Since Governor Montague q visit yester-
day to tho Virginia Military Institute,
which resulted In harmonlzins the dif-
ferences between the members OF tho
third class and the board OF visitors. In
formation has been received from reia-
BILE source that the ''oath-bound thir-
teen had determined upon what they
considered tho only honorable way Of
saving their classmates from expulsion.
Their plan, which was reached after a
long and careful consideration. was that
the recalcitrant thirteen should resign
from the institute. They held that their
oath would permit them no other alterna-3
tive Tho nature OF the oath, so far as
can DO learned, was that when they
were informed that an apology was ex-.
pected from them they vowed before God
they would not apologize or express re-s
gret for the paper OF November 2d. In
which they threatened to leave the insti-
tute IL an improvement 4 In food condl-
tions did mot Immediately follow. The
decision OF the thirteen cadets to resign
was predicated upon the hope that the
board OF visitors would recognize their
heroic step in behalf OF their associates,
and promptly reinstate them.
Would Not Agree.
It is stated. however, that the other
membe OF the third class would not
agree to the resignation OF the thirteen.
Just what It meant to these boys to-
sever their relations with the Virginia
Military Institute can hardly be appre-
ciated. Not only an interruption Of their
present work. but to a great extent
their hopes and asplra Ions for the fu-s
iture All tstsst hey we're willing to sac
3rihce, says your correspond ants inform
ant. In ordert to make It possible for their!
classmates to Yield gracefully and hon
orably to the demands Of the board Of
visitors .E S8 35s
Whether the vow these offending thir-
teen boys had taken was seriously en-
tered into when made was not ques-
5tlon with them. Subsequent develop
,ments impressed the ract upon their
minds and conscionces that they had
obligated themselves to stand together,
and they had determined to do that, let 4
come what might.
The cadets OF tho Virginia Military IN
stituto are regarded In Lexington as
young men OF honor and the cadet uni
form always entities the wearer to a
respectful and honorable recognition.
Happy Solution.
4 Governor Montague's visit and his
happy solution to the situation is regard
ed hero with expressions OF entire salts
faction The "Ooath-bound thirteen and
other members OF the third class felt free
to ,nburden themselves to the distin-
guished visitor. whose unbounded
sympnthics Immediately won the con-
fldence OF the young mon. After his visit
to the institute. the debonaire manner
was Mt once noticeable among the cadets
as though all was we'll. or course, the
paper signed by the entire third class
has TO be accepted and approved by the
board Of visitors, but that body Of gen
tlemen have assorted that they have been
anxious tofhave the cadets show any dis
position to take steps looking to har--
mony. Therefore, no fears are enter
tained from that source that the paper
will not go through all right. Just what
punishment will be imposed upon the Of
fendera cannot be learned, but Will prob
able be n withdrawal for some time Of the
Of the leaving limits, and nossi-
bly, the additional penalty OF walking
extra guard duty. Whatever the penalty
1t will be promptly comrlied with, be-
cause the offending members Of the class
have agreed to the conditions OF the COM
promise as presented by Governor Monta-
plle t4sgt s4'aF e4ss &sg@I