The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-15
SMITH DEFINES
COLLEGE POSITION
Randolph-Macon System 1.
Methodist, but Governed by
Independent Board.

Thinking that the word "undenomi-
national" as used in the reports OF
the recent conferences respecting the
status OF the Randolph Macon system.
might convey an erroneous impression
DR.. William W. Smith, the chancellor
of the chain Of institutions. has writ.
ten an explanation of the situetion
1t is as follows:
1T 10 not correct to cay that large
sums have been solicited or given to
any of our schools as 'undenomina-
tional.' They have never been so rep-
resented by me to any contributor.
They are owned and controlled by q
Belf-perpetuating board. created by the
State,s at the request Of the Virginia
Conference In 1890, whose charter de-
fines Its duties and rights and requires
each member to swear to conduct the
institutions according to the charter
without fear. favor or partially
In Methodist College.
In conducting the work under this
charter thirteen non Methodists have
been asked to serve on this board, and
numerous non-Methodist professors
have been and are now employed, but
the college was started and has been
steadily supported by Methodists, and
by history and conduct rs rightly call
ed Methodist college. All the present
members of the board are Methodists.
The obligation to the church and the
afiliation with 1t are recognized also
In the official statement in every cata-
logue
while It is not sought nor de-
sired to influence the denominational
preference of any student, the execu-
tive officers consider themselves under
obligation to conduct these institutions
in accordance with the ethical stand
ards and religious usages OF. the Meth
odist Episcopal Church. South, under
whose auspices they were originally
established
The church committees ask that an
amendment of the charter be made.
giving legal control to the conference.
and urge that the general conference,
at its last session recommended thai
this should be done. so far as possible,
by all trust boards holding church col
leges.
Reply of board.
Tho committee of the board Of
trustees replies:
Il. That they cannot legally thus
delegate their trust.
T. That in the course of eighty years
they have received a million and a
third dollars under the terms OF the
charter, which provides that all funds
shall be administered by self-per-
petuating board.
3. That with regard to several large
gifts this provision was an essential
consideration, and that the donors
protest against the proposed change
OF control.
II. That Methodist donors of some
100000 also protest.
1t was in reply to this pressure
from the General Conference that
said had collected much money for
the board. because OF the specific pro-
vision that 1t should be administered
by self-perpetuating and not by any
ecclesiastical body. and that could
not In conscience agree to turn 1t over
TO the proposed church control even
though the General Conference should
ask It, Speaking rather strongly.
said. would not steal this money
for my church. knew It Vas not
given and would not have been given
to be under confeience control.
Position of General Conference.
Il do not interpret the action OF
the General Conference as asking our
bard to violate any legal or moral
obligations. and do. not believe n
would ask for such change OF the
Randolph Macon charter II 1t knew the
lects. nor that 1t wishes to define
the Randolph Macon system out of our
IL OF Methodist institutions because
of its moral inability to change Its
form OF government
1T is a prevalent error to suppose
that no UNCONVENTIONAL college can be
on the Carnegie Foundation. Mr. Car
negte's deed of gift specifically pro-
vides for such colleges as Randolph
Macon"
HgfO~ eft atren,,o