The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-27

+ by the time they were taken up the
| conditions TO which they referred would
probably have changed. Admitting TINT
| the committees could make no sweeping
| Investigations he declnred that II any
| evidence were discovered pointing to the
necessity for thorough probing this
fact would be reported To the General
Assembly which could then appoint
special committee to go into the matter
further.
1t was at this point that first mentor
was made of the recent trouble OF the
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the
Virginia Military Institute. Captain Pat
teson, Of Buckingham, arose 10 endorse
tho suggestion of Mr.. Machen.
The committees, he declared, would
have no time to do the work and more
over, the brief session of tho General
Assembly required the constant attend
ancc of all members. The Buckingham
senator wanted time IN which to conduct
an Investigation that would be thorough.
Were Severely Criticised.
Two Of the greatest OF our state in
stitutions OF learning" he declared in eff
feet have been very severely arraigned-
refer. to the V. p. I. and the V. NJ. L.
for occurrences which certainly do not
meet with the appreciation of all the peo-
pie of this state. Reports have been
illtiue or HHHlTS HI tHeSc Two SCIlooiS tiitit
have astoundcd mo and many others and
these conditions demand an investigation.
Evils have been suggested which ought to
be remeded-if- they exist. The Investiga-
ton must be careful and the report
Thorough. The committees under this
plan will not have time to make such an
investigation. am moreover opposed
to making the committees smaller. For
my part ] would make them larger and
PUT on them skilled and careful men
who will give US a clear and full re-
port. think this much Is due to the
people of Virginia"
Reference to the 'iunketing" tours of
the old committees was made in brief
speech by Mr. Lassiter. OF Petersburg,
who favored the Anderson resolution.
These junkets. he declared. had in
measure at least brought disrespect on
the State. The committees would go on
on a trip. take ladies. pages. and persons
no; members of the General Assembly
with them and have high old time at
Somebody clse's expense. Arising to
explain his resolution further. General
Anderson stated that the committees
were not intended to make an exhaustive
examination. but simply to inquire into
the general physical and financial condf-
ton of the institutions and make re-
ular appropriations. II in the course of
this inquiry the committees discovered
any extraordinary conditions existing, It
would make report of this fact, and the
General Assembly could then appoint
a special investigating committee. AS for
the Virginia Military Institute and the
Virginia polytechnic Institute, he de-
clared that the two schools had been ar
raigned, tried and convicted largely by
the newspapers of the State.
Financial System.
Attention was called by Mr. Thomas. of
Lynchburg. to the ST. Clair BILL now in
committee, which provides a thorough
system for the investigation of the finan-
cil condition of the state institutions.
This system he endorsed. The Anderson
committees in the two or three days they
would be enabled to spend at each in
stitution would be able to do absolutely
nothing.
II have had some experience III ac-
counting" said Mr.. Thomas, and know
what 1t means. L would not give the rail-
road fare of the most expert accountant
in the United States for the results he
could accomplish in the time you are
allowing the committees II would amount
to neither a justification nor condemna-
ton OF the institution under investigation.
1t would amount to nothing at ALL
others 51olIO"eu, tahlNS ClIIeTent SlueS.
II was pointed out that the inspection
tours have been held for many years
without formal resolution in the Senate
and that the Anderson plan merely chang
ed the method. That this plan was bet
ter than the old all seemed to recognize.
But Senators declared that at it's best the
plan was bad and that it should be ahan-
doned. While Mr.. Macfen was Offering
his amendment formally Mr.. Keezell agLin
arose.
Don't let us lack nerve to ask for spe-
cial Investigations, ne said. why does
not the Alexandria Senator ask for a
special investigation at these two schools
If he desires one?
II am not sure that there should he a
special nyes igation.' replied NJ. Machan.
II simply want to give the committees
proper time in which to enquire.
Not Worth Brass Farthing.
In the opinion of Mr.. Wickham. of Han
over, who took the floor. after brief state
ments had been made by Mr.. Walker and
Mr.. Chapman, the inspection tours OF the
committees did not amount ito 81 brass
fs.rthing." The committees under the old
plan had gone out on a jaunt. become in
oculated." and returned with a report that
meant absolutely nothing. Tile commit
tees under the new plan would, he be-
lieved, do not better.
Don't you know already what reports
these committees will bring back? asked
the Hanover Senator. advancing q step or
two across the floor. Don't VIC all know
now what they will be2''
II am not on this floor to bring charges
against men or institutions, but it does
strike me as being unwise for the friends
lot these institutions to be advocating u
policy and course which is bound to re-
suit in "whitewash'--not designed
withdrawing, but very effective white
washing nevertheless, for tho committees.
will have no time to do anything, will
he able to report nothing, and the matter
will end there. Don't you know that
this talk of an investigation in three days
is all nonsense? If there is any charge
against any institution, and ] do not
make 1t, let this Senate investigate mat
charge Let some senator arise and pro-
pose such an investigation and I will
vote for his resolution. 1 see no senator
arising. want 1t understood that
.,y,, IN hn npt ita l1n N,