The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-04
JNO. THOMPSONBROWN
REPLIES TO BARRINGFR
Denies That the Board of Visitors of " P l. Had
Dr. Barringer Put Out of Presidency So That
Eggleston Could Secure the Position

J. Thompson Brown. rector of tn,
board of visitors OF Virginia Polytech
NC Institute. requests The Times Dis
patch &c print the letter which follows
AS an answer to the letter OF DR.. Bar.
Singer printed In yesterdays Times
Dispatch:
The Letter.
70 :he Editor of The Times Dispatch
Sir,--While have nothing to do with
ai.y agreement that was entered into
under which the former WAS TO tender
mis- res ignation as presiden: OF the Nir-
.inia Polytechnic Institute upon the
appointment OF the new board, pro-
Nidco certain gentlemen who had been
inimicRi &c DIR Barringc- were not re-
appointed, ! have got word 10 say
When Or Berringcr attempts to connect
nc as his published letter would seem
20 90, with being party to any scheme
- sipplaut him by the election OF Mir.
EESieSton.
AZ matter OF fact, Or. Ferneyhough.
20 whom Dr. Barringer refers as "spe-
cisl messenger" and agent" of the
Governor, happens TO be warm per-
soma, friend of mine (and there is no
more correct man in the state. nor one
more loyal TO his friends. and l did
know from him. before it was CON
summated by Dr. Barringers actual
resignation that Or. Bnrringer had
made this voluntary agreement with
the Governor d.. Ferneyhough had
stood Dr. Barringer's staunch friend
through all the viCissitudcs during his
presidency Of Virginia Polytechnic In
stitute. when ne was attacked so vigor-
ously b. members OF the alumni. sup
ported by the members Of the hoard. to
whom he refers. / know that IN Fer
neyhough acted throughout the ucgo-
tiaticns between the Governor aud pr
Barringer as the friend Of the latter. /
t.,1T al
ment was reached DR.. Ferneyhough
was hopeful of securing my appoint
ment by the Governor to the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute board. and in dis
cussing the matter with him. | express
I'D the opinion that DIR. Barringcr should
be asked 10 retain the presidency for
: year in order to give proper time to
select his successor.
Only Friendly Act.
II DR.. BarrinGer had In mind any
idea that his resignation was TO I've ac-
cepted by n packed" board. | am more
than surprised at his agreeing to ten
der it-he should have then exposed
the enormity and II such was his idea,
am sure he was surprised indeed
when the Governors selections We're
made public. II is matter of fact,
perhaps that each member then APP
pointed did learn that DIR. Barringer
had agreed TO resign, provided he could
was embarrassing to him. to say the
least. and this is the sum and sub
stance OF all the talk that has been
INDUCED in, and which comes now with
had grace from DIR. Barringer, who
quotes The Times Dispatch. which
printed the names of the ewly-ap-
pointed members. saying. The entire
Hoard is now friendly to him Cd"
such, indeed. was the fact and what
more friendly act than TO help him to
carry out his own voluntary agreement
a s 10 his resignation? Surely he would
not have withdrawn ii then even at
the request Of the new board after the
Governor had carried out in good faith
lis part of said agreement.
! am glad, indeed. that ! was not a
member of the Virginia Polytechnic
Institute board during the four years
OF DR.. Barringer's strenuous experiences
with the two members OF his board and
the protesting alumni, for. though Br
l'arrnger may have been a square peg
in round hole. ! regard, him as a
square man. and consider that he
certainly lahored under very dsadvan-
theeous conditions. was, therefore.
glad, when accepting his resignation to
extend the COMMUNICATION the board
did TO his work and TO ask him to re-
main for gear till we could select his
successor.
Defends the Donrd.
WIN TINS long preamble, come TO
the reasons foi nay appearance in THIS
controversies 1t is simply To deny the
repeated Islander that the board was
appointed with any understanding. en-
press or impicL' tina. Mr. Egglcston
Was 10 he CHOSEN president such "a
charce would not be consider
cd a moment by any one VINO
knows Or. Harris. Senator Wat
kins Nlr Smith, or myself or DR.
Joseph a Turner, Of Hollins, who was
appointed whcn MIR. johnson refused
to accept the appointment rendered
but tn prominence given 1t by