 | Board of Visitors minutes June 29, 1874 |  |
June 29th 1874
At an annual meeting of the Board of Visitors of the University
of Virginia held on the 29th day of June 1874 the following
members of the Board were present, viz
R.G. H. Kean, Rector & Messrs Carrington, Campbell, Montague
Smith, & Berkeley.
The Rector called the Board to order.
The Rector appointed the following Committees for the ensuing
year.
Finance- Messrs Campbell & Carrington
Grounds & Buildings- Messrs Smith & Berkeley
Apparatus- Messrs Montague & Baker
Library- Messrs Woods & Baker.
The following reports were presented to the Board:
Faculty report.
2. Proctor & Superintendent's reports.
3. Prof. Mallet's reports to the Rector & Board of Visitors
and to the Board of Trustees of the Miller Fund.
4. Prof. Page's report to the Miller Trustees.
5. Prof. Boeck's report to the Board of Trustees of the
Miller Fund.
6. Report of the Commr of Accounts, Mason Gordon Esqr
7. Report of the Chairman of the Faculty accompanying the
forgoing reports
8. Report of the Librarian.
On motion the Board adjourned to meet tomorrow morning
at 9 1/2 o'clock.
Secretary
Rector.
June 30th 1874
The Board met pursuant to adjournment on yesterday
Present the same members as on yesterday with the addition of
Mr. Woods.
The Committees appointed on yesterday not being ready to
report upon the subjects referred to them and there being no
other matters for the consideration of the Board at this time
the Board adjourned to meet tomorrow at 91/2 o'clock.
Secretary
Rector
University of Va.
July 1st 1874
The Board met at 9 1/2 o'clock. Present the same members
as on yesterday.
The report of the Executive Committee was received, approved
and ordered to be filed.
The report of the Library committee was received and approved.
Resolved, That the Librarian be authorized under the direction
of the Chairman of the Faculty to appropriate out of the
83 collected by him for fines the sum of 50 for new book cases,
and he shall appropriate the residue for binding such books as
are in need thereof
A communication was received from B. Johnson Barbour Esqr.
which on being read and considered.
Resolved, That B. Johnson Barbour Esqr be and he is hereby
requested to proceed with the preparation and publication of
the proceedings attending the inauguration of the Jefferson
statue, including his own introductory address: as indicated
in the letter of Hugh Blair Grigsby, Esq. to him submitted with
his letter to the Board of the 27th of June 1874 for the reasons
suggested in the letter of Mr. Grigsby.
Resolved, That the professor of Agriculture in addition to
the subjects heretofore prescribed, give instruction in the
theory and principles of farm drainage and irrigation.
Ordered, That in order to give greater definiteness to the
connection of the Chair of Applied Mathematics with the agi-
cultural Department, the Professor of Applied Mathematics shall
give to the students of the school of Agriculture, a course of
instruction in drawing and by lectures once a week for not less
than four months in each session on (1) the principles and best
methods of constructing Agricultural Buildings- (2) the Theory
& principle of construction of Agricultural machines and implements.
Resolved, That the Rector be authorized to take such steps
as he may deem proper to ascertain the present condition of the
that he be requested to report the result of the investigation
to the next meeting of the Board- and if he shall deem it necessary
he is hereby authorized to employ counsel to protect the
interests of the University.
Resolved, That the Executive Committee of he Board be requested
to confer with the Officers of the Chesapeake and Ohio
R. Road Company with a view to securing the stopping of the
mail trains at the University.
Ordered, That as recommended by the report of the Faculty
and approved by the Board of Trustees of the Miller Fund, that
the Faculty be and they are hereby authorized to withdraw the
the benefits of the Miller Scholarship from the scholar whenever
in their opinion the incumbent is not making a proper use of
its benefits. Such withdrawal to take effect from the end of
the quarter in which it is ordered- And the payments to the
scholar shall be made quarterly in advance the unpaid portion
in case of such withdrawal of the annual appropriation shall
remain to the credit of the Miller Fund.
Resolved, That the candidates for the Miller Scholarship
hereafter until further orders, be advised and informed by the
Chairman of the Faculty that the Board of Trustees of the Miller
Fund for the reasons assigned by them, reserve the right to
suspend appropriations to the scholarships from and after the
session ending June 1875
The following communication received from the Miller Board
was considered and ordered to be recorded.
July 1st 1874
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Miller Fund held at
the University of Virginia on the 30th day of June and 1st
of July 1874 the following proceedings were had: On consideration
of the communication of the Rector covering an extract
from the Report of the Faculty asking that authority be given
them to withdraw the Miller Scholarship from the scholar, whenever
in their opinion he is not making proper use of its benefits;
it is resolved that in the opinion of this Board it is
expedient that the authority asked for by the Faculty be given
them.
It is respectfully suggested to the Board of Visitors that
the payments to the scholar be made quarterly in advance so that
in the event of the withdrawal of the Scholarship the unpaid
portion of the annual appropriation shall remain to the credit
of the Miller Fund.
In the opinion of the Trustees of the Miller Board it is
a matter of prime necessity that the school of Agriculture
should be fully equipped with proper machinery, anatomical
specimens and buildings, and that all of the funds which can
be safely withdrawn from other purposes should be applied to
the development of the school of Experimental and Practical
Agriculture in that direction; Therefore it is resolved that
this Board reserves the right at its next annual meeting to
suspend any appropriation to the Miller Scholarship, from and
after the session ending June 1875 and they respectfully request
the Board of Visitors to cause the candidates for said
Scholarships to be informed of this resolution.
Resolved, that the following appropriations be made for the
next fiscal year:
| To salary of Prof. Page | $2000.00 |
| To rent for Prof. Page | 300.00 |
| To salary of Prof. Mallet | 500.00 |
| To salary of Prof. Boeck | 300.00 |
| To Farm | 1000.00 |
| To two scholarships | 1000.00 |
| To Prof. Page for equipment of school | 100.00 |
And that the balance of any funds collected during the year,
shall be applied, First to the payment of the balance of
$596.41 due the University, and the residue, if any, shall be
applied under the direction of Prof. Page to the equipment of
his school.
A copy, Teste
of Miller Board.
Resolved, That the following named students who appear by
communications from the chairman of the Faculty to have been
prevented by sickness from standing the examinations for graduation
be and are authorized to have said examinations at such
time during the next session as the Faculty shall prescribe,
to wit-
William Van Llooten in the schools of Natural Philosophy &
Geology, Thomas N. Page in the school of Law, John B. Preston
in the school of Mathematics, J. M. Quarles in the school of
Engineer and W. W. Larkin in the school of Law.
Prof. James F. Harrison was unanimously reelected Chairman
of the Faculty for the ensuing year.
Prof. Noah K. Davis was unanimously confirmed by the Board
as Prof. of Moral Philosophy.
The Committee of Finance submitted their report as follows
Virginia
The Committee of finance appointed by the Rector on the
29th of June 1874 submit the following report:
I. We have considered the suggestions, made in the report
of the Faculty, which refer to appropriations and recommend
as follows in respect thereto: We recommend the appropriation
of fifty dollars ($50) to be expended in repairs to Lithographic
press belonging to the University, provided the faculty shall
determine that its use during the next session is expedient.
We also recommend the following appropriations which are
suggested in said report, viz
| To the School of Natural History and Agriculture for fitting up lecture room & museum & for cutting off engine room by a partition |
50.00 |
| To the School of Chemistry | 150.00 |
| To the School of N. Philosophy | 150.00 |
| To the School of Medicine for the purchase of instruments |
50.00 |
| To School of Engineering for repairs to instruments |
30.00 |
| To the Library | 200.00 |
We are not prepared to Act on the recommendation of the
Faculty that the next Catalogue include the names of all
students who have matriculated since the foundation of the
University- We are not informed whether the material is attainable
for this object. We suggest that this subject be
referred to the Executive Committee, with authority to make an
appropriation therefor not exceeding the sum of two hundred and
fifty dollars ($250).
We do not recommend the publication with the Catalogue of
selections from the examinations of the students.
The Committee concur fully with the Faculty as to the
expediency and propriety of promoting the celebration of the
semi-centennial of the University. We have fully considered
the suggestions of the Faculty on this subject, but we think
it inexpedient that the Board of Visitors make any appropriation
for this object. We think that the Board should provide only for
the usual order of exercises and that the arrangements for
this celebration may with propriety be left to the action of
the Society of Alumni. We therefore recommend that the Executive
Committee be authorized to confer with any Committee
appointed by the Alumni, to make arrangements for the celebration
and that said Ex. Committee have authority to grant
such proper use of the grounds & buildings as may be necessary.
2. The Commitree approve the suggestions made by the proctor
as to advances made to Boarding House-Keepers and recommend that
hereafter no advance be made for a period exceeding one month
and then only on such security as is now required.
3. The Committee recommend that the stated salaries of
the Professors as fixed by resolutions of the Board on the 27th
day of June 1873, be continued until otherwise ordered. They
also recommend that the regulations in relation to the fees of
their tuition to be paid to professors & in relation to emoluments,
as fixed by the resolutions aforesaid of the 27th of
June 1873 numbered from 1 to 5 inclusive be continued in force.
4. The Committee have considered the question in relation
to the salary of Professor Minor, which is set forth in his
letter to the Rector dated day of 1874 and herewith
returned.
We have examined the records of the Board from the earliest
date to the present time and find that there is some confusion.
as to the date at which the salaries of Professors are due,
and also as to the periods of time of service for which the
salaries are paid. This confusion seems to result from looseness
of expression in some of the resolves of the Board- which
seem to give countenance to almost any construction which may
be contended for. There are however certain fixed points from
which a decided conclusion seems deducible.
The services of a professor are due to the University for
and during the session of 9 months and for no other period.
It would therefore appear that his salary is paid for this
period. It would therefore appear that his salary is paid for
this period, and for no other. The word year is used, but
may mean scholastic year and not calendar year. By one resolution
of the Board, the salary is to commence from the date
that if a professor is elected 1st of July and accepts, and
dies or declines the office on the 1st of October that he would
be entitled to 3 months pay for these three vacation months.
We find that the stated salaries have been paid in equal
instalments, on the 1st October & 1st of April of each year.
If a professor be selected on July 1st or in August or in September
he would receive his semiannual salary at the commencement
of the next session viz 1 Oct. and a similar amount on
the 1st of April following. No difference has ever been made
because of differences in date of election. From this it
seems fairly deducible that the salary was considered as commencing
from the beginning of the session, and that one half
of it was then paid in advance. The other half being paid on
April 1 following. The whole salary for the scholastic year
was paid during the session. This seems to have been the view
taken by this Board in the Resolutions passed June 27th 1874.
The salaries were fixed "for the ensuing year" Again, in the
resolution directing payment of the salary of the late Dr.
McGuffey after reciting that his duties had been satisfactorily
performed by Dr. Withersppon, under arrangement made with the
family of Dr. McGuffey payment is directed to be made of the
stated salary "for the session of 1872-3" in full. We therefore
think that, by the payment made to the several professors
of one half of their salaries on 1st October 1872 and one half
on 1 April 1873, they had received their stated salaries in
full for that scholastic year, which terminated on 1 July 1873.
or commenced running until the 1st of October 1873.
5. We recommend that the Rector correspond with Col.
Charles Marshall, of Baltimore, in reference to the legacy left
the University of Va. by Wm. H. Reed, and take such steps, in
regard thereto as may be necessary to protect the interests of
the University.
The Committee will be unable to report what appropriations
should be made for the next year until the reports of other
Committees have been made and acted on by the Board.
Committee
The Board then proceeded to consider the forgoing report
of the Finance Committee, by sections, and adopted and approved
the same. Thereupon it was
Resolved, that all the recommendations of said report are
accepted by the Board, and it is ordered that the same be executed
as though the same were ordered by a separate resolution
as to each.
Resolved, that the following appropriations be made for
the ensuing year:
| Salaries of 14 Professors | 10,400.00 | |
| Commutation of rent to 2 Professors | 600.00 | |
| Salary of Assistant Professor | 500.00 | |
| Salary to officers | 3,600.00 | |
| Salary to Adjunct Professor (A&Achy) | 800.00 | |
| Advertising | 600.00 | |
| Printing | 140.00 | |
| Interest on Debt | 6,500.00 | |
| Catalogue | 400.00 | |
| Repairs & Improvements | 2,000.00 | |
| Labour | 1,200.00 | |
| Library | 200.00 | |
| Contingent Expenses | 1,250.00 | |
| Ice | 200.00 | |
| Fuel | 6,000.00 | |
| School of Nat. Philosophy | 150.00 | |
| School of Chemistry | 150.00 | |
| For repairs to lithographic press | 50.00 | |
| School of Medicine for purchase of instruments | 50.00 | |
| School of Engineering for repair of instruments | 30.00 | |
| Insurance | 600.00 | |
| Gas | 500.00 | |
| Diplomas | 300.00 | |
| Infirmary | ||
| Matron | 480 | |
| Servant | 135 | |
| Physicians | 1500 | |
| Fuel | 145 | |
| Gas | 25 | |
| Ice | 15 | |
| Repairs | 40 | |
| Contingents | 60 | 2,400.00 |
| Pepairs of Pavilion occupied by Prof. Peters | 40.00 | |
| Draining & flooring basement of Pavilion of Prof. Minor |
125.00 | |
| Draining & flooring basement of Infirmary | 150.00 | |
| $38,935.00 | ||
2. That the furds received from the Miller Fund be and
the same are hereby appropriated according to the provisions
of the communication from that Board heretofore entered.
Resolved, That an arrangement similar to that made by the
Executive Committee on the 4th of July last for accommodations
at Bank during the ensuing vacation, is hereby authorized to
be made.
of Va.
The undersigned respectfully reports that he has personally
examined the Library and he has found everything connected
therewith in excellent condition and it gives him pleasure
to hear testimony to the evidences of faithful discharge of
duty on the part of the Librarian.
The recommendation of the Librarian in his Report that
Public Palls shall be hereafter prohibited in the Library, has
received careful consideration and after investigation, the
undersigned while recognizing and appreciating the conscientious
motives of the Librarian in making his suggestions on
this point, has arrived at a totally different conclusion.
The main objection urged that the Insurance on the Building
will be greatly increased if the Annual Ball is held in the
Library Hall seems not to be founded on the facts of the case.
the Insurance Companies have raised no objection on this point
and are not likely to do so. The danger arising from the use
of candles has been obviated by the laying of gas pipes around
the galleries and the jets are so arranged that the lignts
will project from the galleries and be entirely out of reach
of parties on the main floor. In fact in the opinion of the
undersigned the danger of fire in the Library on such occasions
is as small as in any Hall of a similar character in the Country
As far as the visiting public and the young men are concerned
the Annual Ball is one of the chief items of attraction
of the session- and it is peculiarly proper that the handsomest
Hall at our command should be used for the occasion. Therefore
the undersigned recommends that this whole question should be
left to the discretion of the Chairman and Faculty as has
been the case heretofore.
The undersigned would advise the appropriation of at least
$50 for the structure of new cases for the books and for the
purchase of new books for the present cases. In the event
that financial status of the University is such as not to
justify this appropriation out of the general fund the undersigned
would suggest that as much as $50 be appropriated for
the purpose above indicated, out of the $83, collected for fines.
of
University of Virginia
Your Committee respectfully report that they have inspected
the grounds & public buildings and are gratified to state they
are in improved condition generally. The grounds are no longer
disfigured by paths but present the appearance of a well kept
lawn. And the buildings are in a fair state of preservation.
The committee with pleasure say that everything practicable
seems to have been done to make the best show in and about
the University.
The University Farm has improved in appearance, and the
crops indicate that the tillage has been industrious, and in
view of the unusual thinness of the land, encouragingly successful.
The Committee have had their attention directed to the
decayed condition of the porch to the rear of Col. Peters Pavilion
and the dampness of Prof. Minor's basement. And they recommend
the appropriation of $40.00 for the repair of the former
and $125 for the drainage and reflooring of the latter.
The Committee being satisfied that Prof. Minor absolutely
needs increased accommodation for his family, recommend that
the dormitory next to the room now used by him as his office
be assigned to him until the necessary addition can be made to
his residence.
The Committee find the floor of the basement of the Infirmary
rotten and in need of repair and they deem it advisable to
have it replaced, and provisions made to make the basement less
of $150 towards said improvement.
The Committee in response to application of Prof. Minor
to the Board of Visitors, recommend he be allowed one dormitory
for students who may board with him, provided that the
said dormitory shall not be on the lawn, and shall be selected
so as not to interfore with the assignment to the Hotel Keepers
if practicable.
Upon the several applications of Prof. Smith, Boeck and
Dunnington the Committee recommend that no action shall be
taken at present.
The Committee recommend that dormitory No. 6 reserved for
the Board of Visitors on the lawn, in which the records of the
Board are now kept, be no longer used for such purpose, and
that the records be removed to the Library for safe keeping
and the said dormitory be turned over to the Proctor for the
use of students.
The foregoing report of the Committee on grounds and buildings
was received and after consideration by the Board the same
was adopted.
Whereas it is expedient to provide a fund for the redemption
of the outstanding debt of the University of Va. it is therefore
Resolved. 1. That Bonds of the University of Va. be issued,
which shall not exceed in the aggregate the sum of $65,000 shall-be
6% payable semi-annually on coupons attached to said bonds,
the principal whereof shall be payable 30 years from the 1st
day of October 1874, and which said bonds shall be signed by
the Rector on behalf of the University of Va. and countersigned
by the Secretary of the Board and by the Proctor and shall have
the seal of the University annexed- And which said coupons
shall be signed by the Proctor and payable on the 1st of October
and the 1st of April of each year.
2. Said bonds shall be deposited with the Proctor for issue,
and shall in no case be issued at less than par. The Proctor
shall keep a separate account of all sums realized from the
sale of said bonds, shall keep said funds separate from all
other funds of the University, and shall devote said funds exclusively
to the redemption of the existing debt of the University.
3. The Board of Visitors hereby pledge the faith of the
Institution that the proceeds of said bonds shall be strictly
devoted to redemption of the present outstanding debt of the
University, & to no other purpose whatever.
4. The Executive Committee is hereby authorized to contract
with an agent or agents for the sale of said bonds on such terms
of compensation as in their discretion and best judgments will
be reasonable.
5. No bonds shall be prepared for issue until subscriptions
be obtained to the amount of at least $20,000.00.
6. If it be found that said bonds cannot be negotiated n
the terms aforesaid without further security for their payment
the city of Richmond at such time as the Rector shall designate
and advise them of, to consider whether it will be necessary
to make application to the General Assembly for legislation in
order to pledge the property and resources of the University
to secure the loan aforesaid- And if such committee shall deem
it necessary that such authority be obtained, to make application
for legislation accordingly.
7. Such committee if three or more members shall attend
shall have authority to act. And the action of such committee
shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the Board
at the present session.
Resolved, That the Board of Visitors being of the opinion
that the Chairman o the Faculty should be vested with authority
to act summarily in certain cases it is hereby ordered that he
shall be empowered to impose fines for any breach of duty referred
to in clause 13 Section 4 Chap.1 and Section 50 of Chap.
III of the Enactment relating to the Constitution and Government
of the University of Va. printed for the use of the University
in 1859 with the right of appeal to the Faculty.
The following report of the Committee on Apparatus was
received and adopted.
Your Committee respectfully reports, that they made a full
and particular examination so far as they were competent, therefor,
of the Laboratory of the University and of the Philosophic
Apparatus in charge of Prof. Smith, and that the inventory required
and adopted as a part of the report of the Committee.
Chairman of the Committee on Apparatus
Resolved, that so much of the resolution by which the Report
of the Finance Committee was adopted as relates to the
question of the half years salary claimed by Prof. Minor to
have been due him on the 1st of October 1873, is reconsidered
and the further consideration thereof adjourned to the next
meeting of the Board- And that the Proctor report to the next
meeting of the Board a statement of Professor Minor's account
for salary showing the amount he has received for salary from
the time he entered on his duties as professor to the 1st of
July 1873 and the amount of credits given him on said account
and the forms of the entries of debit and credit.
Resolved, That the thanks of the Board of Visitors are
hereby recorded for the various Donations made to the University
since the last annual meeting.
Resolved, That this Board desire to express the assurance
of their deep sympathy with the family and many friends of the
late Henry Howard, M.D. who has departed this life since their
last meeting. His faithful and efficient discharge of duty
during his long connection with the University is recalled by
its Alumni and friends throughout the country; and the Library
which he bequeathed to the Institution as an evidence of his
devotion to it, shall be carefully preserved as a sacred and
valuable memento of the eminent professor.
Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted
by the Secretary of the Board to the family of Dr. Howard.
Resolved, That in as much as Professor Noah K. Davis was
elected a professor on the 30th day of June 1873 without limitation
of his term, and was not elected for one year only,
the Board is of opinion that no confirmation of his election
was necessary but that he continues in office under said election
of the 30th day of June 1873.
On motion, the Board adjourned sine die.
Secretary
Rector.
| Board of Visitors minutes June 29, 1874 | |