The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-18
mot CHOKING OFF
Investigation
Mr, Hamilton and Gen.
Ship FIatly Deny
Report
EVEN UNIVERSITY
is UNDER FIRE
Senator Strobe Complains Of
Special Fee and the IIigh Cost
Of Living There-V. P.
I. Also Likely to
Be Looked

Into.
AT the conclusion OF a lengthy execu-
tive session held last night In this city,
the board Of visitors OF the virginia MIL
itary Institute had elected odicers for
the ensuing year, considered the amount
OF the appropriation 1t will ark at tho
hands OF the General Assembly, and
transacted mass OF routine business, but
SO far as is known had touched upon no
matters OF widespread public Importance.
In view OF the recent occurrences at the
institute and of the preserr talk OF an
investigation by the Legislature. consld-
eraDie interest was manifested about the
capitol and elsewhere in the gathering OF
members OF the board. The meeting,
however, WIS the regular ridwinter scs-
sion and. according to the Official state
ment made after adjournment, was de-
voted almost entirely to matters OF dry
routine. Mr.. alexander Hamilton, who
at the time of the alleged rebellion
among the cadets, led the movement for
enyielding enforcement OF discipline as
opposed to the pacitication plan of Gov
cinor Montague. and several other prone
'nent gentlemen, was made chairman OF
me board for another term, and Colonel
w w Imam T. Poague. who has served in
'he capacity OF secretary for many years.
was reelected. In the matter OF the
ApPfoprlation special committee was
lature 800
Is Absolutely Untrue"
Flat denial was made by both Mr..
iaa t,aniiitoh and General Scott Shipp, super
lntendent of the Institute. OF tho renort
kafr -
10 prevent special Legislative investtga
tion This report was circulating IN Ger
tain quarters yesteday. hut could no. he
definitely traced Speaking CT the matte.
one we / known SetstoZ. VITO is identi-
lied with the moverncn, for an oiiic al a-
curry into the efraifs8 ef the school al Il.
he undsrs ood that the Inst tute authori-
ties, or their representatives were r.1a..s!ig
some attempt to have the investipat on
II there was to be an inves fsation at ali.
made by the resu ar commi tee appointed
at every session. Instead of ~ n special
COMMITTEES. When Ques ,ioned about the
attitude of the board upon this point, Mr..
Hamilton was brief but TO the ro.nt, say
Ing, In effect:
1.-THE board OF visitors OF the vir-
gtnia Military Institute flas no at
titude whatsoever upon this matter.
We have done no, hing to make us fear
an inquiry and we are rely fer any
sires to make one. The statement that
pressure Is being brought to bear to
prevent an investigation is absolutely
untrue"
Another Flat Denial.
Similar statement was made by General
Scott Shipp, the superintendent OF the 1n-
stitute.
General shipp laughted at the idea that
there was any movement to prevent "a
special investigation. He said:
ANY pressure brought to bear on
the Legislature would have to come
from the Board OF Visitors or the
superintendent OF the institute. MIR.
Hamilton speaks for the board. AS
for myself. the statement Is untrue.
There is no attempt whatsoever to
prevent an Investigation by the Leg
isature. On the contrary, we are
ready for any investigation that the
Legislature may desire to make.
Investigation Likely.
That there Will be an inquiry Of some
sort into the affairs OF both the Virginia
Military Institute and the Virginia Poly
technic Institute seems now to be beyond
question. Several members arc known to
be considering the advisabiity OF intro
ducing resolution calling for special
investigation. and Senator Chapman, of
Greene. has already publicly declared that
either he or certain members Of the House Z
of Delegates who have taken up the mat
ter with him will do the same thing.
Early developments in connection with
the Virginia Polytechnic Institute are ex-
peoted. In his recent statement to the
public, Judge George L. Christian. of this
city, indicated more or less positively that
he would lay the case OF his son, who Fl
WAS denied admission for alleged hazing.
before the General ASsef1lhi y4sf
Judge Christian Is not prepared at this
time to state his plans Associated with
him in this fight Is United States Sem
ator John w Daniel, who is now pre-
pairing statement that will shortly be
made public. From what can be gath
cred this statement from Senator Dam
lei will not mlnce words but will sound-
ly denounce the v. P. I. authorities for
their attitude In the Christian case. #
That 1t viii attract tho attention of the
Legislators now In sessiontis unques-
toned coming from the source 1t does.
"A well known senator referred to this
matter last night in discussing the gem
oral situation. &
At Least Remarkable.
81 think the treatment Judge Chris
tian and Senator Daniel received at the
hands of the faculty and Board OF vis-
itors OF the V. P. T. was to say the
least remarkable" he declared, TT was
the greatest star-chaInber proceeding
have ever heard OF In my life. Tksrs
should be an investigation OF this mat
ter, and there undoubtedly will be an "a
Senator neexell, chairman of the Com
mlttee on Public institutions and Edn-
cation. said last night that he had h
heard nothing officially OF an invsstiga-
lion OF the two Institutes. He expected q
to have a meeting OF the committee thia U
week for the consideration of the An
ierson resolution calling for four small Il
committees to Inspect the public insti- Y
buttons or the State instead Of the large
heretofore regularly ap-
polluted, sss.