The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-17
Senator du Pont, Federal
Officer, Fights for
Justice.
RAIDERS BURNED
FAMOUS SCHOOL
Delaware Senator Tried TO Save
It-Institute Wants S2I4,723.62.
Barracks Not Included.
Strong Backing Seems
to Make Success
Probable.

With leading men OF both political
parties pledged 70 extend every p"ss'
blc aid the third attempt 20 secure
from the United States government
restitution for the property OF IN
Virginia Military Institute. burned -
order OF a Federal general. VIII %
made to-day Friends OF the lnstltn-
ton feel hopeful that conditions have
at least reached the point. after many
wears. when favorable action on th'
claim may be expected.
Bills will be introduced to-day 10y
Senator Henry 4. du Pont. Of Della
ware in the Senate. and by Represen-
fative II u. Flood in the House. ap-
propriating the sum Of 81 f.t-SoZ ~
reimburse the Virginia Military lnsu-
tute for the damage and destruc'i"I
OF It's library. scientific apparatus ara
professors quarters on June L. 1915
Senator Thomas :. Martin. leader - n
the Democratic side. and CongressTnan
g B. Siemp on the Republican slde ~
the House. are among the active sup
porters OF the measure with sucn
lacking. and other pledges not made
public. IL is hoped 10 secure passage OF
the bill at the present session As II
specifies the amount. the matter VIII
not have 10 20 before the Court OF
Claims for extended hearings, but will
~ referred direct To the Committee on
Claims OF each house Of Conyress
Property Burned
The property destroyed ir. -5s4 b.
order Of General Hunter. commandins
n, T-nited States forces was as ioi-
lows: Buildinss-barracks two sets
OF osicers quarters. gas house laun-
dry hospital. quartermaster store
mess hall Material and supplies
furniture. Guartermaster' stores com
ynfssary stores. medical stores. mixtures
and supplies. library. 1890" volumes
engineering and philosophical insisI
suents and apparatus. mineraiosicsil
LABORATORY. supplies and equipment
chemistry issoorsrory.-s supplies and
equipment: cabinet geological specf-
mems; gas and heating rxtures
The account for damages was pre-
pared by General r w. Nichols. tn
present superintendent He found that
no contracts were made for the re-
construction OF any of the build nss
after the war since the work was
done by day labor. and the cost chaIS ec
10 the building account
According to the report OF the n
nance committee Of che Board OF Nisi-
tors. Colonel Walter II Taylor chair
man. as OF July =. 1874. the eXpenci -
lures for reconstruction amounted IN
ssSe.2Js2 General Francis II smith
the superintendent. in MS annual Ie-
pert 10 the Visitors year later
placed the total cost at s1s6. i3l-S>
But General Nichols has taa the
committee report as the srna- and
more conservative. He has deducted
10 cost OF rebuilding the barracks.
estimated at $4,000. making thu claim
seI4.23se. The barracks are deducted
because their destruction is regarded
as perhaps q legitimate feature 81
war The raiders went further and
burned the scientific apparatus ana
the academic and engineering depart
ments.
Senator du Points connection with
the efforts being made is most inter
esting He was in command Of the
artillery with General Hunter. ana
along with most OF that commander :
onicers. tried 10 dissusde him from
burning the Virginia Military Inst
tute. Another of these officers who
added his entreaties was Lieutena nj
William Mckinley. later President ol
the United states. II is said TO be due
70 the request of Colonel Chen cap
tain) du Pont that the raiders spared
the superintendent house. where a
daughter OF General Smith lay Ill
Recently a copy Of General smith :
book. an photographed history. was
sent 10 Senator du Pont. His interest
was aroused. and he is now ardeut!S
behind the bill TO reimburse the IN
stitute for It's loss. Senator du Font
was also at New Market. whore th'
cadets fought. and with his command
covered the Federal retreat and prob
ably saved a large part OF Genera
Franz SigcTs army
The first effort To get money fror
Congress was made by General SMITH
ir the seventies. but h soon found ~
was far ahead Of the times. The heh
was taken up y General Scott Ship
in the nineties. with bus little cr-
coursgemcnf. Now Northern Sena'
tor and Federal officer j. leading th'
move.
The Board Of Visitors can. think o
many ways IL could use the money.