 | Board of Visitors minutes June 28, 1875 |  |
June 28th 1875
At the annual meeting of the Board of Visitors of the
University of Virginia held at their office at the University
of Virginia on the 28th day of June 1875.
Present the following members, viz-
Messrs Carrington, Berkeley, Montague, Walton & Woods.
In the absence of the Rector on motion Mr. Walton was elected
Chairman pro tem. and thereupon called the meeting to order.
The following Committees were appointed for the ensuing
year.
On Finance Messrs Carrington & Campbell
On Grounds & Buildings Messrs Smith & Berkeley.
On Apparatus Messrs Montague & Baker.
On Library Messrs Woods & Baker.
On motion Mr. Walton was added to the finance committee.
The Chairman of the Faculty appeared before the Board and
submitted his annual report to the Board with accompanying documents
which were received and the Board proceeded to the consideration
of the same.
On motion the recommendations of the Faculty in the annual
committees for consideration by them and report to
the Board.
On motion the Board adjourned to meet tomorrow morning at
10 o'clock.
University of Va.
June 29th 1875
The Board met pursuant to adjournment on yesterday.
Present- the same members as on yesterday and in addition
Judge Thomas Smith.
The following Communication was received from the Miller
Board which on motion was referred to the Committee on Grounds
& Buildings:
"Whereas the Board is contemplating the enlargement of the
experimental farm, but prefer deciding the question at an adjourned
meeting of the board, when there may be more members
present; & whereas it is desirable to be informed at such adjourned
meeting whether the Board of Visitors, of the University
of Virginia will furnish the Miller Board with the additional
land required for the purpose indicated; Therefore
Resolved, that the Board of Visitors be respectfully requested
to furnish the information desired."
Resolved- That the Faculty be requested to communicate to
the Board of Visitors their views as to the expediency of
changing the sessions of the University so as to commence on
the 15th of September and end on the 15th of June.
The Rector, Mr. Kean, appeared and took his seat as President
of the Board.
The Finance Committee submitted their report which upon
being read and considered was on motion adopted and ordered to
be spread upon the minutes and reads as follows:
The Committee on Finance offer the following report.
1. After consideration of the communication of Mr. Thomas
D. Ranson respecting the legacy bequeathed to the University
by the late Thomas Johnson of the County of Augusta we recommend
the passage of the following resolution.
That the Rector is authorised and requested forthwith to
employ counsel for prosecution of the rights of the University-in
the estate of Thomas Johnson decd. and that the counsel employed
be instructed to take energetic measures for realising
the fund so soon as may be, with due regard to the interests
of the University.
The Rector is visited with full authority to contract with
counsel for their compensation, but the Board expresses a preference
that such compensation shall be contingent on, and be
paid only out of the collections from this account.
2. We recommend the following resolution-
Resolved, that the resolution in reference to Room rent,
passed 28th of June 1873, and found at page 348 of the Minutes,
[p. 396 in typed copy] shall not be continued so as to require
payment of room rent by students residing with their parents
or relatives.
We recommend the following appropriations for the ensuing
year.
| For interest on debt | $ 6,500 | |
| For Ice | 200 | |
| For Removal of Sewer on Western Range | 75 | |
| For Repairs & Improvements | 2,000 | |
| For Laborers | 1,200 | |
| For Contingent expenses | 1,250 | |
| For Catalogue | 600 | |
| For Advertising | 600 | |
| For Printing | 140 | |
| For Library | 200 | |
| For Fuel | 6,000 | |
| For Insurance | 600 | |
| For Gas $500- Diplomas $350 | 850 | |
| For Commutation of rent to two Professors | 600 | |
| For Salaries to 14 Professors | 10,400 | |
| For Two assistant professors $1000 | 1,800 | |
| For Two adjunct professors 800 | ||
| For Officers | 3,600 | |
| For School of Chemistry | 150 | |
| For School of Nat. Philosophy | 150 | |
| For School of Engineering | 30 | |
| For Infirmary- Deficit last year | $229.44 | |
| For Infirmary- Matron | 480.00 | |
| For Infirmary- Servant | 135.00 | |
| For Infirmary- Physicians | 1500.00 | |
| For Infirmary- Fuel | 145.00 | |
| For Infirmary- Gas | 25.00 | |
| For Infirmary- Ice | 15.00 | |
| For Infirmary- Repairs | 40.00 | |
| For Infirmary- Contingent | 60.00 | 2,629.64 |
The Committee make this partial report and will hereafter
make a further report.
Chairman
On motion the Rector was added to the Finance Committee.
The Committee on Finance made an additional report which
was submitted through its Chairman and after being read and
considered was on motion adopted and reads as follows:
We recommend that a deed of trust be executed under the
authority of the act of the General Assembly of Virginia passed
on the 25th day of March 1875, to secure the bonds of the
University to the amount of $95,000.00, and we return herewith
a draft of such deed which recites the form of the bonds to be
secured thereby- We recommend that the bonds be signed by the
Rector and the Secretary of the Board and countersigned by the
Proctor; with instructions that he shall in no case sell the
same at an amount less than par, and that the proceeds of all
bonds shall be exclusively used in paying the present debts
of the University. That the Proctor be further instructed to
exchange said bonds as he may be able to do so, for the outstanding
bonds of the University, but that he shall in all
cases require that the bonds so issued be taken at par. The
bonds which may be so taken in shall be cancelled and shall be
We further recommend that the Proctor be instructed forthwith
to have lithographed 190 bonds for $500 each, for issue
under the deed aforesaid in the form therein set out, and
that the sum of $ be appropriated to pay the cost of
said bonds. We further recommend that the Proctor shall make
monthly reports to the Rector of the progress made in the sale
and exchange of said bonds and submit the following resolutions
1. That the Act of the General Assembly approved the 25th
day of March 1875 entitled "An act to Consolidate the Existing
Debt of the University of Virginia" be accepted.
2. That the Report of the Finance Committee in respect to
the execution of a mortgage and issue of Bonds to consolidate
the existing debt of the University, be adopted, and that the
respective officers of the University proceed to the discharge
of the duties assigned them as soon as they conveniently can.
3. That the exchange of the Bonds issued under these resolutions,
or their sale for the purpose of providing for that
portion of the existing debt which now bears six per cent
interest shall not be made except for special cause or at
reasonable discount until the approach of the maturity of such
six per cent.
That the salary of the Janitor be Forty dollars per month
for the year following the present meeting of the Board.
| We recommend that the following additional appropriations be made for lithographing bonds, not exceeding |
$100.00 |
| For laying lite drains on arcade | 40.00 |
| For increase in wages of Janitor | 84.00 |
| For salary of Assist Librarian | 200.00 |
Isaac H. Carrington
Chairman
which resolution and report were adopted.
On motion the Board adjourned to meet tomorrow at 10 A.M.
Jas. D. Jones
Secretary
R. G. H. Kean
Rector
University Va. June 30th 1875
The Board met pursuant to adjournment on yesterday.
Present the same members as on yesterday and in addition
Col. Campbell.
Mr. Woods Chairman of the Library Committee submitted the
report of said Committee which reads as follows:
Virginia.
The undersigned as Committee on the Library respectfully
reports that he has made a careful inspection of the Library-assisted
by Mr. Wertenbaker, and he found its condition all
that could be desired under the circumstances. The Management
and arrangement of this department reflects the highest credit
on the venerable and efficient Librarian.
In the opinion of your Committee it is highly important
that the regulation of the Board requiring all books to be
returned to the Library five days before the annual meeting
of the Board should be enforced. Non compliance with this law
and inconvenience to the Librarian in the discharge of his
duties and renders the proper preservation of the library
almost impossible. This enactment has been long in force.
The reasons for it are apparent and the excuse for failure to
comply with it should be of the strongest character- to induce
the Board to remit the penalties in any case. The Report of
the Librarian on this point is before the Board: also the letter
of Professor Gildersleeve explaining the retention by him of
certain books- Your Committee deems this letter entirely satisfactory
and recommends that the Librarian be authorized to
remit the fine which the law imposes for the non-return of the
books in the case of Mr. Gildersleeve.
In the case of Professor Boeck, Your Committee reports that
he had a comference with this gentleman on yesterday the 29th
inst. and Mr. Boeck requested your committee to verbally report
to the Board his reasons for failure to return the very large
number of volumes in his hands. Your Committee requested a
written statement which was made by him and forwarded to the
Board.
Your Committee sees no reason why the law should not be
enforeed in the case of Mr. Boeck and recommends that the
fines imposed by the laws of the University be collected of him.
Your Committee further recommends that the $90 collected
for fines, as reported by the Librarian be specially appropriated
for binding.
The foregoing report was read and considered whereupon on
motion Resolved, that the same be approved and adopted with
this modification: That Prof. Boeck be allowed ten days from
the final exercises of the University in which to comply with
the Library regulations in regard to the books mentioned in the
report of the Librarian and in case he shall comply with such
regulations within the said ten days, in view of the circumstances
mentioned in his communication to the Board that he be
excused from the penalties which have accrued by his failure
to comply strictly therewith.
The Committee on Grounds & Buildings through its Chairman
submitted its report which upon being read and considered, the
same was received and the recommendations therein approved and
adopted and ordered to be enforced. The report reads as follows:
of Va.
Your Committee respectfully report that in the performance
of their duties they have made such an inspection of the grounds
& public buildings as their opportunities have made practicable
and they are gratified to be able to state that both are in as
good condition as could be expected or required under the circumstances.
The Grounds exhibit evidence of careful attention
and the Buildings show that every effort within the means of
the Proctor has been made to preserve them, and to prevent as
far as possible the decay inevitable from the want of the necessary
repairs. In this connection Your Committee will inform
the Board that they have called upon the Proctor to furnish
& Grounds in perfect order with a view to such action by the
Board as will secure this sum, and they respectfully suggest
that the General Assembly should be called for an appropriation
for this purpose. Your Committee are aware of the consequences
involved in any appearance of the University before the Legislature
as an applicant for assistance, but they can but think
that this body would recognize the necessity for preserving
from loss the investment which the state has made here, and
would accordingly provide the requisite funds. Your Committee
therefore recommends that the executive Committee should be
authorized to apply to the Legislature for an appropriation
for this purpose, should they upon inquiry deem it judicious
to do so.
Your Committee with the light of the Faculty's interesting
and elaborate report in reference to the sanitary condition of
the University desire to say that they are satisfied that already
everything expedient to promote it, and to remove the
causes which have heretofore endangered it, has been accomplished,
The sewers have been extended so as to make their discharge
outside of the precincts of the University sufficiently far off
to render impossible any infection of the air or water in and
about the University and such other provisions made for the
proper action of these sewers as will insure their cleanliness
and efficiency. Your Committee further state that they together
with a Committee of the Miller Board, and accompanied by the
Proctor, examined the land belonging to the University and
them for their experimental farm and they are satisfied that it
would be judicious to comply with the request of the Miller
Board and they accordingly recommend that the area of this tract
not now used by the professors as gardens, and not including the
mountain be turned over to the Miller Board for such use as they
see fit to apply it to during the pleasure of the Board of
Visitors. It is estimated that about 40 acres, will be included
in the boundaries agreed upon and pointed out by the Proctor.
It seems but just, as well as clear to the interest of the
University that the parsonage should be preserved, and as the
University has received this property as a donation Your Committee
conceives that it is under obligation to keep it in such
order as its finances will allow and therefore it is submitted
that the Proctor should be advised that the property is as much
under his charge as any building on the grounds, and that he
shall make the repairs necessary to make it agreeably tenantable.
Committee on Grounds & Buildings.
Your Committee it will be observed omitted to suggest any
action as to the proposition of the Faculty to assign the vacant
hotel at the South end of the Eastern Range to the Messing system
with a view to its extension and placing it within the reach
of a larger number of students than is practicable under the
present facilities not being sufficiently apprised on the subject
deem it wise that any encouragement should be affected for the
largest success of the Messing system, and they therefore recommend
that the Hotel in question shall be placed at the disposal
of the Faculty to be used for the system under such restrictions
and safeguards as the Faculty may prescribe. Your
Committee however suggest that a moderate revenue should be
derived from this hotel, and in as much as the students who
mess are obliged to provide themselves accommodations Your
Committee deem it proper that a reasonable rent should be paid
therefor to the University.
Thomas Smith
W. R. Berkeley
Resolved, That the medical professors be and they are hereby
authorized in the event of a vacancy in the office of Matron of
the Infirmary to make such arrangements for the supplying of a
suitable Matron as in their discretion may seem best- provided
the appropriation for the salary of the Matron be not exceeded.
Resolved, That the Faculty be and they are hereby authorized
to employ a suitable assistant to the Librarian whose compensation
shall not exceed $200.
Resolved, That the appropriations made or to be made, by
the Trustees of the Miller Fund for the ensuing fiscal year be
adopted and the fund applied according thereto.
Resolved, That the Committee of the faculty heretofore appointed
to submit to the Board a revision of the enactments of
the University, be requested to pursue that work, and report
to the next annual meeting.
Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to inquire
into various reports which have reached the Board in reference
to Professor Boeck and report upon the same as soon as
practicable. Whereupon the Rector appointed as said Committee
Messrs Smith, Walton and Campbell.
On motion the Board adjourned to meet tomorrow at 9 Oclock.
Jas. D. Jones
Secretary
R. G. H. Kean
Rector
July 1st 1875
The Board met pursuant to adjournment on yesterday. Present
the same members as on yesterday with the exception of Mr.
Carrington, absent.
On motion the Board adjourned to give the members the
opportunity of attending the exercises of the public day to
meet tomorrow at 9 Oclock.
Secretary
Rector
University of Va.
July 2d 1875
The Board met pursuant to adjournment in yesterday.
Present the same members as on yesterday.
Dr. James F. Harrison was elected Chairman of the Faculty
for the ensuing year.
The Report of the Executive Committee for the interval
since the last annual meeting was read received and approved.
Resolved, That as recommended in the resolution of the
Faculty of the 29th of June the following students of the present
session who were candidates for graduation in their respective
schools and prevented from standing the regular examinations by
sickness are permitted to attend special examinations in the
early part of the next session without again matriculating as
students. Mr. A. C. Hill in the school of law- Messrs A. M. West,
Joseph Field, Jr., Wm. O. McDowell, R. B. Lemmon, In the Department
of Medicine.
Resolved, That the claim of Professors Minor and so much of
the Proctor's report as relates thereto, be passed by to stand
as unfinished business for the next meeting of the Board, in
order that Professor Minor may have an opportunity to present
his views thereon to the Board.
The Chairman of the Committee on Apparatus submitted the
following report which upon being read and considered, on motion
was received and adopted and ordered to be spread upon the Minutes.
Virginia.
Your Committee on Apparatus respectfully report, that the
inventories required by law from Professors Mallet and Smith
have been returned and no appropriations asked for.
Committee on Apparatus
Resolved, That Richard H. Baker Esqr a member of this Board
having failed to attend the meetings of the Board for the time
under the obligations imposed by the Statute the
Board declare his membership forfeited- and the Rector is instructed
to inform the Governor of Virginia of the vacancy.
Col. Thomas Jefferson Randolph having presented to the
University the "Polygraph" used by Mr. Jefferson-
Resolved, That the letter of Col. Randolph accompanying
the same be spread on the record and that the thanks of the Board
are tendered to Col. Randolph for this interesting relic, associated
as it is with the labours of the father of the University
and that the case containing the "Polygraph" be taken charge of
by the Librarian and be properly catalogued and preserved. That
a copy of the foregoing resolution be transmitted to Col. Randolph
by the Secretary.
Edge Hill
Allow me through your body to present to the
University the polygraph used by Mr. Jefferson for the last
twenty years of his life. In reserving for publication many
thousand of these letters, they were found accurate facsimiles
of his hand writing: no error except where the record pen was
caught by some irregularity in the paper. When extricating itself
with a spring it missed a few letters leaving space for
them.
Resolved, That this Board, with a full sense of the justice
of the encomium passed upon the adjunct professor in the Department
of Analytical and Agricultural Chemistry and of his merit do
not deem it expedient to adopt the recommendation of the Faculty
in regard to the erection of Mr. Dunnington's appointment into
a full professorship, different in its terms and principles of
compensation from other professorships in the University.
In pursuance of the recommendation made in the first of the
resolutions of the Faculty passed on the 1st of April 1875
and communicated in their report to the present meeting, it is
ordered-
That the requirements for the degree of Batchelor of Arts
be modified so as to be hereafter as follows:
The said degree shall be conferred on students who have
made satisfactory attainments in the senior classes in Latin
and Greek, the Intermediate Classes in Pure Mathematics and
Moral Philosophy, obtained Certificates of Proficiency in Physics
and History or Literature, and graduated in Chemistry and in
French or German.
Resolved, That the whole subject referred to in the Report
of the Faculty looking to flushing the sewers be submitted to
the Executive Committee who are authorized, should occasion
arise to make it expedient, take the steps they may deem necessary
to secure the flushing of the sewers.
Resolved, That the medical Professors and the professor of
Chemistry be and the same are hereby constituted and appointed
a Board of Health with the power to recommend to the Executive
of the University may from time to time require or to
remonstrate through said Executive against any changes proposed
by the Proctor or other executive officers of the University.
The Committee in the case of Professor Boeck submitted their
report and on motion the same was received and the Board, in
view of the fact that only six members were present adjourned
for its further consideration to the 28th day of the present month
On motion ordered that the report in the case of Prof. Boeck
be spread upon the minutes.
To the Rector & Board of Visitors.
Your Committee report that after much inquiry they have
reached the conclusion that the continuance of Professor Boeck
in his position as Professor of Applied Mathematics would be
prejudicial to the interest of the University,-and they recommend
that the said chair be declared vacant from this date.
Thomas Smith
Joseph Campbell July 2d 1875
On motion the Board then adjourned to meet on the 28th
day of the present month.
Secretary
Rector
| Board of Visitors minutes June 28, 1875 | |