 | Board of Visitors minutes September 16, 1869 |  |
At a called meeting of the Board of Visitors held September
16th 1869. Present Samuel Watts, Thomas J. Pretlow, Thomas
L. Preston, John R. Woods, Wm. E. M. Word and Robert W. Hughes.
On motion
Col. Preston was unanimously requested to take the Chair-The
Rector not being present.
Ordered that the Proctor be instructed to pay on the first
of January next out of any unappropriated money in the Treasury
to Mrs. Mary A. Coleman Executrix of Lewis M. Coleman deceased
the sum of $500 in part payment of the indebtedness of the
University to her.
Ordered that the Proctor be instructed to put up as soon
as practicable, such new cases in the Library as may be necessary,
and especially a suitable one, for the reception of
A. A. Low's donation.
Resolved that in view of complaints by students of the
fare furnished at some of the Hotels of the University- the
Board thereby refer the same to the Proctor whose duties are
specially set forth upon this subject in Section 2 Articles
2&5 and in Section 4 Article 7 of the Abstract of Enactments
whole tenor of the law constitute him Master of the entire
system of police, and through him alone the proper action
can be taken.
Resolved That the Proctor is hereby referred to Section
I Act: 2 page 4 of the abstract of the Laws of the University
in reference to his Official Bond, with the request that he
comply with it- a form for which will be inclosed to him by
the Secretary of the Board.
Resolved That the Board of Visitors would call the attention
of the Faculty to a more stringent execution of the
law in reference to a deposit on the part of each student
offering for a Diploma.
Ordered That hereafter on public days the Professor of
each School, if present, may deliver to his own graduating
class such diplomas as they may be entitled to receive, the
Chairman of the Faculty only delivering diplomas to his own
class, and such A. M. Diplomas and Medals as may be awarded.
No Professor shall make an address of more than five minutes
in length on such occasions- If a Professor should be absent
on a public day, he may designate some other Professor to act
for him in this matter, and if he should fail so to designate
another Professor, then the Chairman of the Faculty shall
deliver the diplomas of the absent Professor. The Rector,
however, may deliver diplomas, medals or honorary testimonials
or degrees when requested to do so respectively by the Chairman
of the Faculty or by a Professor, or when otherwise it may
be proper for him to do so.
Resolved that the subject of the Infirmary and all papers
relating thereto be referred to a Committee of three with instructions
to make a written report during the present meeting
of the Board. Committee, Messrs. Hughes, Word [&] Preston.
The Board then took a recess till 3 OClock P.M. at which
time they met and were joined by B. Johnson Barbour, Rector.
Resolved that the communication of Professor Boeck be
referred to the Execution Committee with instruction to devote
so much of the future funds accruing from the authorized loan
of ($30,000) towards equipping the School of Applied Mathematics
as may seem necessary and expedient. Provided that such appropriation
does not exceed two thousand dollars.
Resolved that a sum not exceeding $1500 e appropriated
to the Library, if in the opinion of the Executive Committee
the finances will admit it.
Resolved, that the Executive Committee be authorized to
pay all necessary expenses (including Duty, Freight & Transportation)
on the donation from the India Office of Great Britain.
Resolved That a Committee consisting of the Rector and
Messrs Watts & Preston be appointed to confer with the Trustees
of the Miller Fund and report a plan of organization of a
School of Experimental and Practical Agriculture in accordance
with the Deed of Trust executed by Samuel Miller to said
Trustees for that purpose.
The Board then adjourned to meet again tomorrow morning
at 10 OClock.
Wm. Wertenbaker
Secretary
B. Johnson Barbour
Rector of U. of Va.
The Board met pursuant to adjournment. Present the same
members as on yesterday.
The Committee appointed yesterday to confer with the
Trustees of the Miller Fund and report a plan of organization
of a School of Experimental & Practical Agriculture- submitted
the following report.
Plan for Organizing the Agricultural Department of the
University of Virginia.
Whereas some two years since the Board of Visitors of the
University of Virginia with an eye mainly to the advancement
of the cause of Agriculture and of the practical arts congenial
thereto, established the Schools of Applied Chemistry & Mathematics
for the purposes and objects more fully set forth in
the Advertisement of these Schools as set forth in the Catalogue
and whereas since the Donation of Samuel Miller for the
teaching and promoting of the Science of Agriculture at the
University, it has become important that these Schools should
be enlarged and devoted more strictly to such ends and purposes
as will bring them fairly & legitimately within the
scope and purposes of the Donator- Therefore be it Resolved
1. That the Schools of Analytical & Agricultural Chemistry
and of Applied Mathematics so far as it is connected with and
congenial with Agriculture- together with a prospective Professorship
of Natural History, and such additional professorships
as the advance and elaboration of the plan may require
shall hereafter be known and regarded as the Agricultural
2. That all due expedition shall be used in establishing
and rendering practical and useful the Experimental Farm
projected at the last meeting of the Board- and that this farm
in general shall be under the control of the Agricultural
Department of the University for the testing of manures, the
exhibition of various systems of culture and crops and for
every class of experiment which may seem to be desirable for
the advancement of the cause of Agriculture.
3. That in view of the successful inauguration of the proposed
system by the present Professors, Messrs. Mallett & Boeck
that they be respectfully but cordially recommended to the
favourable consideration of the Trustees of the Miller Fund.
4. That if the aforesaid Trustees determine to turn over
the accrued or accruing interest to the University, the Board
of Visitors will endeavour in every way to vindicate the confidence
thus manifested- and to that end will instruct their
Proctor to open a separate and special Account with the monies
thus received wherein every item of expenditure shall be fully
and clearly set forth- and that the Trustees shall be invited
at each Annual Meeting of the Board to meet in conference for
the examination of this account with the vouchers belonging
thereto and for consultation on the plans & purposes of the
Agricultural Department.
5. That whilst the Board does not deem it proper to bind
itself closely to the plan set forth in the report of the
Faculty- yet they should here express their general concurrence
alterations or additions as time & experience may dicatate.
6. That the Board of Visitors in soliciting immediate
aid from the Trustees, and in asking a large discretion in the
distribution of the funds turned over, would respectfully call
attention to the fact as set forth in the above mentioned
Report that the University has already expended a large amount
in providing a magnificent Laboratory and in equipping two
schools without which the objects of Mr. Miller's Trust could
not have been possibly carried out, and which could not have
been provided directly from the annual income of the Fund itself
except by its total absorption for several years to come.
In view of all these facts- and especially that the University
presents a broad basis for the establishment of this
Agricultural School- alike in its buildings, its rich & valuable
specimens, its admirable equipment and provision for experiments,
its competent Professors and its well established and
high reputation throughout the Country- together with the pledge
on the part of the Board of Visitors in all things and at all
times, strictly, persistently and conscientiously to carry out
the full purpose of the Donator in its truest and best spirit —
the Trustees of the Miller Fund are earnestly requested to
put the Board of Visitors in possession of such funds as will
enable it to carry out promptly and satisfactorily the great
purposes contemplated in this combined movement.
All of which is respectfully submitted
As Rector & for the Board of Visitors
A motion to adopt the foregoing report was carried in
the affirmative by the following vote.
| Ayes | Noes |
| B. Johnson Barbour, Rector | |
| Thos. L. Preston | |
| John R. Woods | |
| Samuel Watts | |
| R. W. Hughes | |
| Thos. J. Pretlow | |
| W. E. M. Word |
The following proceedings of the Board of Trustees of the
Miller Fund was laid before the Board.
"Resolved that the Trustees of the Miller Fund, leaving
to the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia- the
organization of a `School of Agriculture' to which alone the
Trustees can appropriate their income according to the terms
of Mr. Miller's Deed, would state for the information of the
Visitors that the state of the fund is such as to allow them
to pledge to this School when organized according to the design
of said ded the sum of $3000 for instruction in the School
of `Experimental & Practical Agriculture' for the ensuing
session- But the Trustees reserve to themselves the right to
withhold the Miller Fund from this School when such School is
established, if they under the circumstances then existing
should consider it as their duty under the provisions of the
Deed, so to do
A copy
R. T. W. Duke Secretary
Trustees Miller Fund
At a meeting of the Trustees of the "Miller Fund" held
at the University of Virginia on the 16th & 17th days of Sept
1869 the following proceedings were had.
1. Resolved- (see preceeding page)
2. That the Board of Trustees of the "Miller Fund" are
not satisfied that they have the power to appropriate their
income to the payment of interest on an antecedent debt though
contracted for the purposes of this School, but are yet willing
that a sum not exceeding the sum of $1000 be used for the rent
of the Laboratory for the present year, provided this shall
not be considered as a precedent for the future.
That the Deed of Samuel Miller giving to J. F. Slaughter,
T. J. Randolph, W. J. Robertson, B. W. Ficklin, W. W. Minor,
Alex. Rives & V. W. Southall and their successors in office
certain funds in trust to be applied to a School of "Experimental
& Practical Agriculture" at the University of Virginia, imposes
on those Trustees the duty of preserving those funds, and to
that end, to retain them under their control and to appropriate
annually the net income for that purpose, or so much thereof
as may be necessary.
That it is the duty of the Trustees to see that these funds
are in accordance with the spirit and intent of the donor applied
exclusively to the School indicated and that the appropriations
should be annual and an account should be required annually
from the Authorities of the University of Virginia detailing
specifically the expenditure of the fund, in order that the
Trustees may determine whether the expenditure has been in
That to the authorities of the University of Virginia
belong exclusively the organization and entire control of said
School, with the exception of the right and duty of the Trustees
to nominate the Professors to be employed in said school.
That the Trustees meet annualy the Board of Visitors at
the University of Va. to receive the account required and
to determine the propriety of renewing the appropriation.
Resolved, that the Treasurer pay over to the proper Officer
of the University $1500 of the income now in hand, and
that he shall also pay over to the same Officer, all the income
which may accrue prior to the 1st of July 1870.
The Trustees of the "Miller Fund" unanimously nominated
Prof. J. W. Mallet to fill the Chair of Applied Chemistry in
the School of Agriculture and Prof. L. J. Boeck to fill the
Chair of Applied Mathematics so far as the same may be connected
with the School of Agriculture.
Resolved, that in the opinion of the Trustees it would
be equitable and proper for the Board of Visitors to charge
the income of the "Miller Fund" with one half of a reasonable
rent for dwellings for the two Professors now appointed and
that they may in like manner charge said fund with a reasonable
rent for any buildings erected on the grounds of the University
for the use of the Superintendent & hands employed upon the
"Experimental Farm".
Resolved that the foregoing resolutions be communicated
by the Secretary to the Board of Visitors of the University of
Va.
A copy Test.
R. T. W. Duke
Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Ordered That that portion of land belonging to the University
lying West of the Professors' gardens adjoining the
lands of Jesse L. Maury be set apart and used for Experimental
Agriculture farm under the direction of the Professors in the
Department of Agriculture if the said location and additional
land be desirable in the opinion of the Executive Committee.
The nominations by the Board of Trustees of the "Miller
Fund" of J. W. Mallet Profes or of Analytical & Agricultural
Chemistry and of L. J. Boeck Professor of Applied Mathematics,
as Professors in the "Agricultural Department" of the University
of Virginia were unanimously approved & confirmed by
the Board.
Resolved that in receiving money from the "Miller Fund"
it shall be done by a draft from the Proctor payable either
to his own order, or to the order of the Bank used as a depository
for the University funds, countersigned in all cases
by the Rector.
Resolved that the Proctor be instructed to open a separate
account with the "Agricultural Fund" and that all monies received
on account thereof be kept separate & distinct, and
that none of these funds shall be used except under special
order from the Board of Visitors or of the Rector and the Executive
Committee acting under instructions therefrom.
Resolved that the Executive Committee is hereby authorized
to consult the interests of the University, and the Agricultural
Department now organized and in the absence of the Board
to do & perform whatever may be necessary to put in successful
operation said Department.
The Committee appointed yesterday on the subject of the
Infirmary submitted the following Report.
"Report of the Special Committee on the Infirmary to
the Board of Visitors.
Your Committee have not the data on which to base a full
report of the history of the Infirmary and the condition of
its finances- time has not sufficed since yesterday to obtain
them.
They find that the University owes to the fund of the Infirmary,
for loans made from that source anterior to the war,
the sum of $1625.90. They find that of the surplus existing
previously to the war, the sum of $ was invested by the
Health Officers in a bond of the state of Virginia of $
in amount-
They find that the salaries which have been paid by the
fund of the Infirmary for two years past have been in detail
and aggregate, as follows
| For three Physicians | $1500 |
| For Salary of Matron | 480 |
| For Wages of Servant | 180 |
| Total Annually | $2160 |
They believe that other incidental expenses will average
each year at least $40 making the amount of the expense of
the institution not less than $2500. This scale of expense
pursued for two years past has exceeded the income of the
Infirmary. This income is derived from a tax of $5 each
from the students of the University, and from the board of
income during the last Academic year seems to have been
$2095, and that may be assumed to have been an average year
as to the amount of income- In the academic year ,
the income of the Infirmary proper seems to have been only
$1692.93.
It will thus be seen that the income of the two years
has fallen short of the receipts by a considerable amount. To
meet the deficiency, the Health Officers of the University
have sold the state bond which they held, realizing therefrom
principal and interest, the sum of $823.14. The Report of these
affairs at the close of the Session 1868-69 represents a balance
in hand of $142.30.
The deficiency in the income of the Infirmary, compared
with expenses, seems to have arisen from the fact that a third
Physician, at a salary of $500, has been added to those previously
ministering at the Infirmary- which additions, for
two years past, has cost the account of the Infirmary $1000.
Your Committee upon examining the records and minutes of
the Visitors touching the Infirmary are clearly of opinion
that the original intention was, and the constant intention
has been, to make the Infirmary a self-sustaining Institution.
During the prosperous years just preceeding the war, the
receipts were unusually large, in so much that the University
seems to have borrowed from this source $1625.90 and the Health
Officers were authorized to invest the further sum of $
in a state bond, but the years succeeding the war have not
so far, that nothing is left of the fund accumulated, except
the sum of $1625.90 borrowed by the University before the war.
Your Committee see nothing in the records of the Visitors to
justify the inference that repairs to the Infirmary building
were not to be included in those expenses of the Infirmary
which were intended to be defrayed from its regular income.
Unless there be a considerable increase in the number of
students during the approaching session, the Infirmary fee of
$5 will not suffice to pay the current expenses of that institution.
If the fee be increased to $7.50, the authorization should
be accompanied by a reiteration of the intention of the Visitors
that the Infirmary shall be self-sustaining in respect to all
expenses including repairs to the building.
Your Committee recommend the repeal of the order of the
Board of Visitors adpted on the 3rd of December 1867 by which
unlimited control over the Infirmary fund was transferred by
the Board from itself to Drs. Cabell, Davis and Harrison, your
Committee being of opinion that the Board of Visitors have no
right to delegate its trusts to any other body or set of individuals
even though as worthy of their entire confidence as
the gentlemen named.
Your Committee further recommend that the Infirmary fee
to be charged after the expiration of the forthcoming session
of 1869-70 be fixed at $7.50 this being about the currency
equivalent of $5 in specie. All of which is respectfully
submitted.
R. W. Hughes
Th. L. Preston
W. E. M. Word
Ordered That the fee to be charged each student after the
Session of 1869-70 on account of the Infirmary be fixed at
$7.50; and it is the intention of the Board that the Infirmary
shall be self-sustaining, including repairs to the building.
Ordered that the resolution of the Board of Visitors of
3rd December 1867 giving control of the Infirmary fund to Drs.
Cabell, Davis and Harrison, is hereby rescinded and repealed.
On motion the foregoing Report and Resolutions were
adopted.
Resolved that nurses and servants be employed and supplies
furnished the Infirmary by the Board of Health as heretofore.
Resolved that the present financial condition of the Infirmary
requires a spirit of sacrifice on the part of all who
feel an interest in the Institution; and that the Proctor, out
of the fees collected therefor, for the approaching academic
session, after paying all the expenses incident thereto, divide
the surplus, not exceeding five hundred dollars to each,
among the three attending Physicians- and that the Proctor also
keep and make to this Board a separate account and report of
all receipts, disbursements and transactions of the Infirmary.
The Board then adjourned to meet again tomorrow morning
at 10 Clock.
Wm. Wertenbaker
Secretary
B. Johnson Barbour
Rector of U. of Virginia
The Board met pursuant to adjournment. Present Th. L.
Preston, W. E. M. Word, John R. Woods, Thomas J. Pretlow and
Samuel Watts.
On motion Col Preston was requested to take the Chair.
Resolved that the Proctor, under the advice of the Executive
Committee put such repairs on the House, recently occupied
by Professor Peters as may be necessary, not exceeding three
hundred dollars.
Absent Messrs Pretlow & Watts- B. Jonson Parbour Rector
& R. W. Hughes appeared and took their seats.
Ordered that the House recently occupied by Professor
Peters and which he has vacated, be assigned to Professor Harrison.
Resolved that the Board of Visitors of the University of
Virginia having made a full inspection of the Laboratory and
its equipments desire promptly to express their hearty thanks
to Robert Mallet Esq of London for the alacrity and zeal he
has exhibited in the collection of Technological Specimens-a
collection which they fully believe is unsurpassed by any
other in general excellence, whilst in y particulars it is
unequalled- And they are persuaded that this superiority is
due mainly to the scientific knowledge which guided and the
disinterested sympathy which animated Mr. Mallet in making it.
The Secretary is instructed to forward a copy of this
Resolution to Mr. Mallet.
Resolved That Professor Mallet and Boeck shall receive
$1000 each as heretofore from the sum of $2000 furnished by
the Faculty- and that Prof. Boeck shall receive $300 from the
"Miller Fund" in lieu of the commutation fee from the University.
Resolved That the Executive Committee be instructed to
take all necessary steps towards the proper changes & modification
in the lecture Room of the Professor of Applied Mathematics.
Resolved That in view of the unprecedented Drought with
which the country has been afflicted, and the consequent
scarcity and advanced prices of all kinds of provision, the
Board of Visitors are constrained to believe that justice demands
an increase in the charge for Board at the University—
Insomuch, however, as the rates have been announced in advance,
good faith would seem to require that it should be left optional
with the students after a full statement of facts to decide
for themselves whether they will pay the present rate of $20
per month or what we consider a more equitable price of $22.25.
Resolved—as the opinion of the Board, that students
entering any of the classes in both Departments of the School
of Law, shall be regarded as entering two schools—and if they
enter another school, the fee in the additional school shall be
$25 instead of $30 as heretofore.
The Board then on motion adjourned sine die.
Secretary
Rector of U. of Va.
| Board of Visitors minutes September 16, 1869 | |