 | Board of Visitors minutes August 16, 1881 |  |
August 16th to 19th 1881, inclusive
The Board met at this place at the Call of the Rector,
pursuant to the recommendation of the Committee of Conference
with the Miller Board appointed under resolution adopted
July 1, 1881 (see page ante 112 ).
Present- Messrs Bocock, Chairman, Marye, Conrad, Gilmore,
Randolph, Goode & Lay.
The following Report was submitted:
To the Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, Rector of the University of
Virginia.
The Committee of the Professors appointed by the Board
of Visitors to act with the Executive Committee in regard to
the selection of the site for the Leander McCormick Observatory
and to the making some arrangement in regard to the preparation
for building the same, beg leave to report progress and to
submit the recommendations herewith enclosed for the consideration
and action of the Executive Committee.
In the examination of the different sites in the University
grounds we were kindly assisted by Prof. Hall of the U.S. N.
Observatory who visited the University by invitation, sometime
during the month of May. The result of that examination was
the unanimous opinion that the top of the Old Observatory Mountain
would be the most suitable site within the University domain,
provided it was not disturbed by vibrations caused by Rail-way
trains passing in the C & O R. R. & V. M. R.R. It only remains
then to make observations to test this point- this has been
done. Observations made on two different nights by Prof. Mallet,
Thornton & myself during the passage of ten or fifteen trains
have failed to reveal any tremor of the earth or of the rockledge
on the mountain top.
In addition to those observations the Committee, through
one or other of its members has been in communication with Prof.
Hall and other Astronomers with regard to the preparations for
building the Observatory; and one member of the Committee (Prof.
Mallet) has by the authority of the Committee visited the Observatory
at Washington and the Messrs. Clarke (the makers of the
Telescope), at Cambridgeport with reference to the same matter.
Recommendations:
1. That the summit of the Observatory Mountain be chosen
as the site for the Leander McCormick Observatory.
2. That steps be taken at once to proceed with the construction
of the foundations of the walls of the Observatory
building and also of the piers for the instruments in order that
these foundations may get the benefit of settling thoroughly
during the winter season.
3. That in order to provide the necessary plans for these
foundations, the services of Mr. Rodgers, a draughtsman in the
U.S.N. Observatory be engaged at a reasonable compensation who
will make the necessary draughts under the instructions of
Prof. Hall.
4. That these foundations be laid with the best brick that
can possibly be obtained for the purpose, and with the best
hydraulic mortor and that the work be done on carefully drawn
specifications by a first class brick layer (such as one as may
be gotten in Richmond or Baltimore) on contract under constant
and careful supervision and inspection.
5. That these recommendations be carried out at once as
it would not be well to begin the foundations unless they can be
completed before the winter frosts set in,
6. That as much as is practicable of the necessary timber
be purchased now in order that it may be seasoned as thoroughly
as possible by the Spring of 1882.
It will be observed that while in the completion of the
Observatory in all its details it is best in the opinion of the
Director, yet for the foundations and general plan we have for our
guidance the plans of the Observatory at Washington built for
a Telescope of the same dimensions of the Leander McCormick Telescope,
the accurate details of which are given in the U. S.
Naval Observatory Reports with great minuteness. And it is the
opinion of the Committee confirmed by all the advice obtained
from practical astronomers that time for thorough settling of
the foundations of the piers & walls and the thorough seasoning
of the timbers of the (Drum) or Cylindrical building in which
the dome will rest is of the greatest importance. As we can
very safely proceed with the operations recommended much time
will be gained by doing the foundation work this summer and fall,
then in the coming spring after the appointment of the Director
of the Observatory, the work of completion can be commenced and
carried through on a solid foundation under his supervision.
Very respectfully submitted for the Committee
Augt 3d 1881
Chs S. Venable.
Members of the Committee - Prof. Smith, Mallet, Thornton &
Venable.
The foregoing report having been read and considered, On
motion, Resolved,
That the Report of the Committee on the Observatory be received
and approved and the Committee which is charged with the
further duty of the Construction of the Observatory buildings
is directed to supervise and conduct said work in accordance
with the suggestions contained in the foregoing report of the
3d of August 1881.
The Finance Committee submitted the following Report which
upon being read and considered was on motion received, approved
and adopted.
1st That the amount heretofore appropriated at the regular
meeting in June last to the School of Experimental and Scientific
Agriculture from the funds of the University be refunded
from the amount of the $5,500 lately paid over by the Miller
Board of Trustees.
2d That the cash and securities of the Observatory fund
now in the hands of and under the control of Prof. C. S. Venable
be turned over by him to the Proctor & Superintendent of the
University.
3d That out of the Observatory fund the sum of $5000 is
appropriated for the construction of the Observatory building
and appurtenances, and the Proctor & Superintendent is directed
to proceed forthwith with the erection of said building under
the supervision and direction of the Committee heretofore charged
with the selection of the site of the Observatory &c.
4. That the Proctor do under the direction and advice of
the Executive Committee invest the $2000 heretofore appropriated
to the endowment fund of the McCormick Observatory under the
requirement of the condition of the Society of Alumni, and such
of the Observatory fund as is not already appropriated, in such
securities as he may deem safe and productive.
5. That the sum of $300 is hereby appropriated for the
improvement of the kitchen attached to the Pavilion occupied by
Dr. Harrison.
6. That the sum of $1000 be appropriated to the three
Miller Scholarships, giving to each of said Scholarships the
sum of $333.33.
7. Resolved, that the sum of $2000 be & the same is hereby
appropriated for the improvement of grounds & buildings, of
which sum $1000 is to be used in the enlargement and improvement
of the Proctor's house.
Mr. Bocock, the Chairman of the Committee of Conference
with the Miller Board, made an informal verbal report- Whereupon
the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
"Upon a careful consideration of the Report of the Committee
of Conference with the Miller Board of Trustees made
through its Chairman, Mr. Bocock, and of the papers & resolutions
referred to by him, the Board of Visitors of the University of
Virginia can not concur in the judgment expressed by the Miller
Board, that the School of Experimental and Practical Agriculture
is a `lamentable failure' because of any facts yet obtained by
the Board in its own passed examinations of the Subject nor
from any facts or considerations yet communicated by the Miller
Board; And not recognizing the justice of comparing the operations
and results of the School with more liberally endowed &
differently organized & equipped Agricultural Schools referred
to in the Report of Messrs Minor & Barbour to the Miller Board,
hold, that it would be a manifest wrong & injury to the present
Executive Head of the University School to take the positive
action indicated or to reflect upon the conduct and working of
the School without affording opportunity to its Head to be fully
heard in his own behalf & vindication.
To this end & cheerfully according to the Miller Board of
Trustees that respectful consideration to which they should always
be entitled when heard with reference to the expenditure
of this special fund- This Board, Resolves, that a Committee be
appointed by the Chairman to investigate the whole matter of the
conduct of this School, to ascertain if inefficiency exists and
wherein it exists and to make report to the next regular meeting
of this Board with such suggestions to remedy any existing defects
or to make the School more efficient and place it in more thorough
sympathy with the practical designs of the liberal minded donor
of this fund, as the result of their investigation may enable
them to present."
Resolved, that the Secretary forward a copy of the foregoing
resolution to the Chairman of the Miller Board.
The Chairman appointed as the Committee under the foregoing
resolution Messrs. Randolph, Conrad & Whitehead.
On motion Dr. James F. Harrison was elected Chairman of the
Faculty in place of Prof. Mallet who decline to accept the
position.
On motion the Board adjourned to meet at the University
of Virginia on the 28th of September 1881.
| Board of Visitors minutes August 16, 1881 | |