The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-16
INSTITUTE NOW
IS OUT OF DEBT
Mechanics School Relieved pi
Last Mortgage and Is on
independent Basis.
GOOD WORK HAS BEEN DONE
Plans for Larger Development
Being Discussed---Sketch
of Organization.

deed OF release of the mortgage
OF ten Thousand dollars on the prop.
eIty OF the Virginia Mecnnnics' In
~ ~, was committed to record in
Tue Chancery Court yesterday.
Ihls money was borrowed in 1902
DN lhc corporation to complete the
1und Tor the building and equipment
on Eleventh and Brond Streets now
used Tor the night school of tech
nology. IT has been the policy OF
the board of directors during tho
past few years to lay aside annually
IN sinking fund. bearing interest u
part OF the income OF the school, as
well as any donations which tho
treasury might receive.
BY January !. 1907. this fund had
grown to $1,000, and gift by
time. together with the annual sub
scriptions for 1907, augmented the
amount so that the board was en-
| abled to supply tho balance from the
| treasury.
At the last board meeting ten new
| subscribers were admitted to mem
bershtp. Annual members pay three
| dollars per year. and may be elected
| to membership In the corporation, In
| which Is vested the ownership of the
| property. These members arc entitled
| to q free use OF the valuable library
OF the institute. as we'll as votes in
| the general management OF the bus-
| ness.
Historical Sketch.
The Virginia Mechanics Institute
was founded in 1854, and held It's
| first display OF manufactures in a
building located between Ninth and
| Tenth on Main Street.
In 1857 the organization was en-
abled to construct large building
| on Ninth between Main and Frank
| lin. and the school was opened dur
| Ing that year. AT the beginning OF
the war the building was taken for
the Offices OF the Confederate States
War Department, and during the war
was used entirely for this purpose.
at the evacuation OF Richmond, In
1855. the building and equipment
were entirely destroyed by fire, and
| later on the real estate was taken
In satisfaction of the claims OF tho
bondholdera.
! In 1884 tho new institution sprang
up with renewed vigor, and has
served the people of Richmond faith
fully and we'll ever since.
Many Of tho most prominent men
OF Richmond have been connected
| with the enterprise from Its very
beginning Mr.. a. Bnrgamin is the
oldest member OF the board, and dates
his connection with the institute back
| TO the fiftles. Since the war the late
George A. Ainslie, Esq. DR.. Henry
C. Jones and Mr.. William J. White
hurst. the incumbent. have success
tho board. Captain Thomas Elicit.
who died In 1905. was for twenty
two years the secretary in direct
executive charge Of the affairs of tho
institute. and was largely instru-
mental in producing an atmos-
4, nH No., ,rVt Stx.,, III
readily recognized as the chief assist
ant of the school. In his strong per-
sonality he embodied those qualities
OF patience. responsiveness to the call
OF duty. and attention to every detail
however small. which combine to
make the effective soldier as well as
the head OF a school OF young men.
His loyalty to the Lost Cause" has
wrought into the warp and wool OF
the Virginia Mechanics Institute
| traditions which Will ever be n rich
heritage to impress successive gencr-
! ations of students and stimulate them
to emulate their fathers who have
builded great metropolis. on the
ruins of 1865.
The New Superintendent.
The successor to Captain Elicit, su-
perintcndent Frank w. Duke, comes
with the full confidence or the man
agcment to reap the harvest awaiting
him. native born Richmonder, son
of the late Francis J, Duke, treasurer
OF the Richmond. Fredericksburg and
Potomac Railroad. educated in the
city public schools. Norwoods Acad-
envy and Richmond College, he Is
thoroughly at home here, where he
enjoys the confidence and esteem OF
his fellows.
The development of the institute
has shown the wisdom Of conducting
the archaeological school department.
az it's chief aim. and the success OF
the present session in number of stu
dents. high standard of scholarship
and tho morale OF the student body
makes the further progress of the
school necessity for maintaining Its
. high place in the affection OF Rich-
mond people.
The school is now entirely free OF
debt. but needs tho help of all Rich
mond people to achieve the best re-
suits. it offers good opportunities To
young men, but should offer better. ~
assemblies the third largest body OF
young men in the State, but might
, have the largest.