Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-01-24
Board of v. M. I. Visitors Met in
Richmond

Inc 6OarQ Oh flSlVOEs OI Tue
Virginia Military Institute held
Their mid-winter meeting in Rich
MOI / last Wednesday night. There
were present from Lexington at
the meeting Gen. Scott Ship,
Col. w. 7. Poague and Mr.. W. T.
Shields. In giving a report of the
proceedings the Times-Dispatch OF
Thursday says:
AT the conclusion Of lengthy
executive session held last night
in this city, the Board Of. Visitors
of the Virginia Military Institute
had elected officers for the ensuing
year, considered the amount of the
appropriation it will ask at the
hands of the General Assembly,
and transacted q mass of routine
business, but 90 far az is known
had touched upon no matters of
widespread public Importance.
In view of the recent occurrences
at the Institute and of the present
talk OF an investigation by the
Legislature, considerable interest
was manifested about the Capitol
and elsewhere in the gathering OF
members Of she board. The meet
ing, however, was the regular
mid-winter session and according
to the official statment made after
adjournment, was devoted almost
entirely to matters of dry routine.
Mr.. Alexander Hamilton, who at
the time Of the alleged rebellion
among the cadets, led the move
msnt for unyielding enforcement
of discipline as opposed to the
pacitlcation plan of Governor
Montague and several other prom
inent gentlemen, was made chair
man of the board for another
term, and Colonel William I.
Poague, who has served in the
capacity Of secretary for many
wears, was reelected. In the
matter of the appropriation a
special committee was appointed
to appear before the Legislature.
Flat denial was made by both
Mr.. Hamilton and General Scott
Shipp, superintendent Of the In
stitute, Of the report that pressure
was being brought to bear to pre-
vent a special legislative investiga-
ton. This report was circulating
in certain quarters yesterday, but
could not be definitely traced.
Speaking Of the matter, one well
known Senator, who is identified
with the movement for In official
inquiry iSto the affairs of the
school, said he understood that
the Institute authorities, or their
representatives were making some
attempt to have the investigation,
if there was to be an investigation
at all, made by the regular COM
mittee appointed at every session,
instead of by special committee.
When questioned about the
attitude OF the board upon this
point, Mr.. Hamilton was brief but
to the point, saying, in effect:
"The Board of Visitors Of the
Virginia Military Institute has no
attitude whatsoever upon this
matter. We have done nothing
to make US fear an inquiry and we
are ready for any investigation if
the Legislature desires to make
one. The statement that pressure
10 being brought to bear to prevent
an investigation Is absolutely
untrue"
Similar statement was made by
General Scott Shipp, the super
of the Institute. General
Ship laughed at the id a
that there was any movement
to prevent a special investigation.
He said:
"Any pressure broug ut to bear
on the Legislature would have to
come frCm the Board of Visitors or
the superintendent Of the Institute.
Mr.. Hamilton speaks for the
board. AS for myself, the state
ment is untrue. There is no at
tempt whatsoever to prevent an
investigation by the Legislature.
On the contrary, we are ready for
any investigation that the Leg
lslature NAV desire to make"