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1Author:  University of Virginia Board of VisitorsRequires cookie*
 Title:  Board of Visitors minutes (1916) April 18, 1916  
 Published:  1916 
 Subjects:  University of Virginia::Board of Visitors | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text 
 Description: A called meeting of the Board was held on this date at 8:00 P. M., and was continued to April 19th at 10:30 A. M., with the following members present: Rector Gordon, Visitors Hatton, Turnbull, Craddock, Michie, Lewis, Norton and Irvine. I am turning to you again as one turns to a strong and trusted friend whose kindness and good will have been the source of strength and comfort to me and to the University in the past. The gifts which you have hitherto so generously given have been devoted, as you know, to the purpose of inaugurating a beautiful and satisfactory grounds and road system throughout the University, including gateways and such road building as tend to make the Institution more beautiful and modern in appearance. This is a unique and distinguished form of benefaction to the University which no one else has thought of, much less attempted. We have made, I think, economical and successful use of your last gift of $10,000, and the roads put down are wonderful in their detail and in their effect. They are, however, quite expensive. The soil basis here is stiff red clay, and nothing will conquer it for all time except the best and most enduring form of Travia road. It is really a great macadam tied and made solid by the use of tar. It is such a road as you find in the finest roads in the north. This road now extends from the western gateway almost to the Fry's Spring road where we hope to put another gateway. It branches off towards the gardens and the Lawn. It covers nearly all of the East Range road. As a matter of fact, however, the work cannot be completed by that gift. In order to make the situation what it ought to be, and worthy of the beginning, made possible by your beneficience, I estimate that the sum of $15,000 will be necessary. This, of course, might extend over a number of years. I am wondering if it would be possible for you to make us another gift of $10,000 for 1916-'17, which would enable us to come very near completing the scheme in mind. As I have indicated, it need not be given in one sum, or it might be given in any set of payments that suit your convenience, but if we had the knowledge of it, we could go about consummating the work we have set our hands to under your great generosity. I think the standard of dignity would then be insured here for all time. A new gateway somewhat in harmony with the one at the front entrance would also then be placed at the Southern entrance where the new Chemical Laboratory is to go which will make the main highway of the University handsomely cared for. I am very glad to learn that your system of roads is progressing so well, and I would like to complete the work as you have outlined it in your letter, in memory of Mr. Senff. The new wing of the hospital, made possible by your beneficence is about completed. It is the handsomest thing in its way in the whole University and makes of the hospital a really efficient and powerful agency in our life. I want to put a tablet on the inner walls simply recording the facts of its gift by you, and adding any name or memorial tribute that you would care to have on it. Would you mind telling me just what you would like to have it called, and any wording of the tablet that might suggest itself to you. I want to send you a photograph of the building as soon as the builder's debris is removed from about it. I have your letter of March 24th, and I shall be very glad to give you ten thousand dollars more in order to equip the Hospital. I hope you won't think me impudent or bold, or lacking in delicacy if I bring this matter to your attention. I cannot see the slightest bit of impropriety in your writing me of your need of $5,000. in order to equip the new laboratory for "immediate and effective use." On the contrary, I am very glad you did write me and I cheerfully subscribe the $5,000. and will send it when you let me know it is needed. You may be sure I was deeply touched and more so than I could give owrds to by your expressed willingness to increase your gift for equipment to $10,000, if it were needed. In any event, of course, this equipment money will not be vitally needed until early next spring, when it will be necessary to make the building ready for use. In venturing to ask you for the additional gift for the equipment of the building, I naturally put the sum at the minimum, because I felt you had done so much that I had no right to suggest anything except a mimimum request; and, too, we are so accustomed to doing things here on the mimimum basis that I felt that was all I dare present to you. The extra $5,000 would, however, be of immense value to us in adding real fullness and power to our equipment, both in certain external phases as to approach and in certain internal machinery and equipment. We will spend nothing, of course, for mere frills. I have not mentioned the matter to any of my faculty, save to talk with them a little about their needs. They do not yet know of your gift of $5,000. I find that they feel that in Industrial Chemistry more money for equipment is needed than could possibly be covered by the sum of $5,000, which could only cover the needs of General Chemistry. I am happy at receiving your letter of the 10th inst., and am well pleased that you return home feeling rested. My heart was deeply touched by your swift and generous accession to the suggestion born of your own purpose but coming from me in the second instance. There was long and grateful applause and deep appreciation of your action. The Board has not yet met to make formal acceptance of the gifts. They meet on the 18th of April. I know you know without words from me how deeply it all strengthens my mind and purpose. About a year ago, I wrote regarding the establishment of a Scholarship in the University, by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, the scholarship being a tribute of our loyalty and gratitude to our President, Mrs. William Ruffin Cox of Richmond, Virginia. I shall take great pleasure in reporting to the Rector and Visitors, at their spring meeting, on April 18, the very generous action of the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America offering to establish at this University, as a tribute of their loyalty and gratitude to their former President, Mrs. William Ruffin Cox, of Richmond, Va., a scholarship in American History. I am quite sure that the Rector and Visitors will agree with me that this is a beautiful action on the part of the Society, and will accept this thoughtful gift with gratitude and appreciation. I take note of your statement that the work should be not only in American History but cover American Colonial History, and that wherever possible it should be given to a student from one of the schools maintained for the education of the youth of the mountain regions of the Southern States. I have a magnificent portrait of J. L. M. Curry, painted in Madrid by the Elder Madrazzo, when he was President of the Royal Academy. It is a work of art and appropriately and exquisitely framed in carved apple-wood. I find it too large for my house. It would give me pleasure to present it to the University of Virginia, thinking it might be hung in the hall used for the Curry School of Pedagogy. I remain, Your letter received today, informing me of your purpose to present to the University a portrait of Dr. Curry gives me great delight and satisfaction. I have wanted a portrait of him ever since the completion of our splendid building which houses the Curry School of Education. There is a perfect place for its hanging, and the whole matter gives me very great pleasure. The Curry School of Education is growing in power and influence, and is just at the threshold of its usefulness. I venture to predict that it will be in the end one of the most permanent memorials to Dr. Curry's fame that could have been conceived of. It will be an inspiration to the young men to have knowledge of his face and form. At the request of Mr. J. M. Carlisle, Surviving Trustee of the late Mary W. Curry, I am shipping to you tomorrow, March 8th, by Adams Express, charges prepaid, and addressed as above, one box containing the portrait of the late Dr. J. L. M. Curry, painted by Mrazo. The portrait is insured for the sum of $5,000, and a valuation of $400 is placed upon the box with the express company, according with Mr. Carlisle's request. In reply to Miss Worrell's letter of Nov. 26th, will say that the work on the monument to Dr. Green, is well done. The family is very grateful to you for this gift to his memory.
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