The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-24
GENERAL NICHOLS
AGAINST LENIENCY
Holds Informal Conference With
Members, and Tells Public
That Mistaken Sense Of
Class Obligation Was at
Bottom of Student
( Trouble.

.
she State Commissioner Of Insurance
Capitol building. General Charles ].
anderson. member Of the board, was
advised OF this by air. James over the
aong distance telephone
Informal Conference.
General L. w. Nichols. superintcn-
aent Of tho Y. NJ. L.. last night was
present at an informal conference OF
resident members OF the board held in
the Westmoreland Club, when the re-
cent dismissal Of seventy seven mem
bers Of tho third class was discussed.
In his official capacity he said that tho
expelled stud nts should not be rein
stated. Froi a personal stand point,
he deplored the action which was
necessary on his part. and declared
that the cor iuct OF the cadets was
due to a naist aided sense OF honor and
loyalty
Those pref .nt at the session In
rluded Gener, Nichols. Ad1utant- Cen
ssal Sale. General Chas J. Anderson.
" D. Egglcst II, superintendent OF the
state Departn ent OF Public instruction,
and Joseph Button. state Insurance
+ Com missioner General Nichols was
in Richmond Vt few hours. being en-
route to Florida.
General vicholx's Statement.
General Nici OILS was not inclined TO
discuss the subject for publication
but in view Of the announcement OF
his presence IN Richmond Yesterday
dictated statement setting forth his
position from personal and indiy!-
dual point of view.
THE third class" said the superin-
tendent. was composed OF a fine set
OF young men Their conduct previous
TO their actions which led to their
expulsion was exemplary. All Of them
are 10 be especially commended for
their voluntary stand with respect TO
the practice OF hazing. This class was
uniformly free from this These con-
ditions make 1t so much more deplor-
able that they should have so far
forgotten themselves as to enter in to
combination to defy authority. Their
act strikes at the very fundamental
principles OF the government OF the
institution.
their dismissal and all are regretful
OF their hasty action.
"a mistaken sense OF class obliga-
ton was at the bottom of the trouble.
"A large majority were led astray by
false sense OF honor"
Question of Money.
The report that General Nichols had
refused to allow boys to draw out
money from the Institutions treasury,
according TO members of the board
who were present at the conference,
has caused q false public impression.
The funds deposited in the treasury
OF the school are placed there by the
cadets parents or guardians and may
be withdrawn only upon signed order
OF the latter. It was not within the
power of the superintendent TO permit
the boys to withdraw money with
which to defray their expenses home.
To meet this situation. It was ex-
planned by Mr.. Button, General Nichols
Instructed all of the boys TO wire their
parents or guardians for permission to
draw funds, Most of them did this.
The question of reinstatement of the
expelled seventy-seven or any OF
their number has caused considerable
speculation. What VIII be done can
not be said
Though Mr. James has assigned no
there is no doubt that 1t Is for the
purpose Of considering this matter.
Opposed to Reinstatement.
In his official capacity, General Mich
OILS is opposed to the reinstatement Of
tho cadets 1T Is leniency Of this kind
in past cases Of misconduct which led
UP to the present trouble" he said
Members of the board anticipate a
lively session. Most of them have al
ready been besieged By parents Of the
youths who were sent home with APP
plications and petitions pleading for
&. reinstatement.
From what can be gathered actual
reinstatement is not likely. 1t is
understood that the dismissed cadets
may be permitted to apply for ad-
mission at the next term Of the v. NJ
L. next September. This will give the
authorities time to investigate past
records in order that they may be ac-
cepted or rejected.