The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-21

Dr. -, tnat tile trustees uld 5IiVlItuHlly
the. Church IN adopting tho reporj
y that they did deliberately "defeat
direct statement OF that fact" Furt
late action, say "ln tho Judgment o.
this board Randolph Macon College wal
founded through the efforts OF Mctlit
odist people and has since Its organt
ehiefy t 1Sea 11s liz actlve erfots
contributions OF Methodist people conc
nected with the Virginia and Baltimore
Conferences OF the Methodist Episcot
pal Church South this etc WHY do tllea
the real and we'll known fact that Il
was founded by the Methodist Church
through Its official authorities? Alsd
they say: "Reallzing that the props
suit OF the efforts and contributions
OF Southern Methodtsts within the
bounds OF said conferences. we feel
that tho trust Is sacred one, which
out the wishes and intentions OF tho
contributors." It was entirely through
the efforts put forth by the agencies
OF the organized church, and not by
past three-quartcrs OF century Is the
faithful discharge OF our duties
OF a century? The last few years?---
that preceded itgi Bearing In mind
the history OF the college as
given 81 above am and the fact that g., every
member OF the Methodist Church. half
ministers and half laymen, tW cnty-eight Il
OF the Virginin Conference and six
teen OF the Baltimore Conference, and
that every vacancy OF minister has
been filled by minister from the
same conference, and similarly as to
laymen, how can the Church be salts
fled with the last action OF the board?
hs aG Su bean ina.
more than a dozen years" (not be.
fore). reindorses the resolution OF Au,
gust 1s. 1906: THAT In the conduct OF
the Randolph. Macon Woman's College
the choice OF trustees officers or
teacliers. or In the admission of stn-
dents etc. And then say: That the
resolution OF August 1s. 1906, is only q
been the continuous policy OF this
board since It's formation, as shown !.
by past history and It's charter of In
corporation. and was not intended by
make, any change whatever in tho
then tfor how long back?) existing
relation OF the Randolph-M Macon Sys-
TEN to the Virginia and Baltimore
Conferences OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. and It is the purpose,
of this board that this relation shall
never be disturbed" It is hard for
any one not member OF the Ran-
dolph-1facon board to understand how
even any then existing relation that
they may have conceived OF can fail
to place the statement In the catalogue,
and the resolution OF August 10. 1906
in direct conflict with all the past hiss
tory of the college. Or. PrItchett,
mr. ian nj M cla I'd
garded the passage of the resolution
of August 10. 1906, as "a very radical
change in its policy: and Bishop
,Granbery understood the resolution. to
impose a UNCONVENTIONAL restriction In
the choice of trustees DIETER to DR..
PritchetD. How can the ipse diXit OF
the board make black white. and white
OF board which makes such radical
changes In the past relation of tho
board to the Church. and then say
that they have made and intend ia
relation? Dr.. ". w. smith. the leader
of the trustees In their present radical
action. in which they deny Church
ownership. or control. and only admit
the auspices and patronage OF the con-
ference. himself wrote me a personal
letter. now before me. az follows:
"LynchburE, Va. July IS. 1896.
Dear Brother,-We have mailed you,
as member OF the board OF education
catalogue OF the Randolph-M Macon sys-
tenn. with illustrations. which we think
presents this work of our conference
attractively and worthily. We seek
the aid Of all our people. and espeeia,y
progress, and extend It's usefulness.
81. May we not ask you to giv0
an hour to this work OF your Church
by" etc. He here calls upon the .of-
of your Church." work OF our con-
ference" and not only on Methodist
people" This plea is for the Woman's
College as we'll as all others. The same
man. about the same time. probably
paraded by the board OF trustees, as a
plea to outsiders. Certainly he WAS
the head of the system and sent mo
that catalogue.
It is .her Of a auibbling nature that
the board of trustees repeatedly state
that they can only act under the terms
of the charter If the charter res
quires them to elect trustees. what vio-
lation Of the charter Is 1t for them to
elect only such. as are nominated 70
by the conference, as has been done
by the board repeatedly heretofore? Do
not several Legislatures elect senators
Of the United States only as are nomi-
was all the conference asked of them.
But that is not enough now. The char 4
ter has been changed repeat eddy. and
In material points. The charter orig
iinally located the college at Boydton,
and that by virtue of contribution
In the county Of Mecklenburg of s1O-sS
000 Yet the charter was changed to
allow it, and 1t was moved to Ash
land. Surely that Is a more material
change than that of the manner OF
|perpetuating the trusteeship The
original charter had thirty trustees;
now there are forty-four. II the trus-
tees really wish to harmonic with the
Church, why not try to have the char
ter changed, as requested now by the
great body Of the Church, through its
primaries, so that at least two thirds
Of the number OF trustees shall be Y
elected by Church auth tiles, forlllln,,
tied terms. II such effort fails, 1T will
t2be their fault. I do not8think any
thing less will satisfy the Church
der present conditio4s. Surely in these
late days the eauiIesH will rule over
common Ia in su h a case as this
and the Church., IL Aorced to do so, car
reclaim It's own through t1le courts.
Notwithstanding the opinion OF some y
n 4 n on ltoo n