Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-08-29
General Scott Ship Resigns as
v, M. /. superintendent

Shipp as superintendent OF the
Virginia Military Institute was
presented to the Board of Visitors
at their meeting held at the Insti-
tute Monday, the Goth, The resigna-
ton was laid on the table for future
consideration, and committee was
appointed to report on the same at
the meeting in June, 1907.
With the close Of the present
academic year General Ship will
have completed half century OF
continuous connection with the
Institute, and should the board
decide to accept his resignation,
he will retire from the Institute
wish a record of which any man
may feel justly proud. General
Ship entered the Institute as a
bow of sixteen from Fauquier coun-
ty and was with the cadet battalion
during the Civil War at New
market; and as lieutenant-colonel
he led the young soldiers into the
conflict.
For twenty-eight years he was
commandant of cadets, and since
the resignation of General Francis
In. Smith as superintendent IN
900 he has been at the head OF
the Institute. His admlmstra-
ton has been characterized by
yigor and a grasp of conditions
that has made the historic school
famous all over the country. he
is a man of answering devotion
TO his alma mater and strict dis
ciplinarian. .,
Following is General Ships
letter Of resignation, as presented
to the Board of Visitors:
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE,
January 10, 1906
Hon. Alexander Hamilton,
President Board of Visitors.
Sir:-I have the honor to tender
nv resignation as superintendent
of the Virginia Military Institute.
The close of the present academic
wear Will complete the fftieth year
of my continuous connection with
the institute, of which l served
twenty-eight years as commandment
If cadets. and sixteen and one
| half wears as superintendent.
While l have fallen far short OF
nv ideal. | feel that l turn over
the Institute to my successor in a
condition of prosperity, certainly
not surpassed if equaled, In it'
past history. l believe a change
of administration will be In the
best interests of the Institute
Changed conditions in recent years
seem to require of the head OF al
educational institution quallflca
tions which have never possessed
and am now too old to acquire
The proper conduct OF an lnstitu
, ton which attempts to enforce
military discipline, when tn
. essential basis of discipline, physlc
al force, is wanting, is difhcul
+ beyond the conception of any on
who has not had the responsibility,
Of the effort imposed upon him.
1 take this opportunity to ex
. press my grateful sense Of tn
sympathy and support which
have received from the successlV
Boards Of Visitors; my mos
particular acknowledgements ar
Que to the only two gentlemen WIN
I have filled the position of presl
= dent of the Board during my teri
, of service as superintendent,
: namely. the Honorables 5. d
:, Lstcher and Alexander Hamilton
Very respectfully
(Signed) SCOTT oHipf'
With reference to Gener'
. Ships resignation, the followin
resolutions were u n n m GU 8 l
adopted by the Beard:
General Scott Snipp, the SUI
= = erintendent, having presented nj
p" resignation to take effect at sue
time as the Board of Visitors ma
d deem advisable, on motion dull
Il made and seconded, it is resolve
" that the resignation Of the supe
n intendent be laid on the table Il
IL such action in the future as ii
5e Board may determine upon"
y "On motion, it was resolved tn'
the resignation of the superinten'
D. emit be referred to a committee
il five members Of the Board OF VI
IN itors, to be appointed by the pre-
a. ident of the Board, and OF whlc
j. committee the president shall be
k, member, who shall consider Il
is said resignation and make repo
N to the Board at the June meetln
@. 1907. The following were apnoin
ed members of said COMMITTEE
m Gen. Charles j. Anderson, C(
to Francis L. Smith, Allmand .
r, Blow, DIR. Rawley Martin al a.
r. President Alexander Hamilton. "
of The following members OK e
n Board were present at the meetin
Ill Alexander Hamilton, Petersbur
n, Ger. Charles j. Anderson, Kic
he mond; Supt, Of Instruction, >.
Eggleston, Richmond; Thomas
ar Tate, Pulaski; r. L Martin, Lyme
I'M burg; A. A. Blow, Gloucester cou
no ty; A. F. Ravenel, Roanok
N. Thomas j. Nottingham, Norfo
ia w. L. Shields, Lexington.