University of Virginia Library

University of
Virginia, Decr 10th

— 1897 —

At a meeting of the Board of Visitors called by the Rector
and held at the University in pursuance of notice, on the
10th day of December 1897.

Present, W. C. N. Randolph, Rector, and Visitors, Watts, Patteson,
Gordon, Bryan, Harmon and McIlwaine.

The following constitue the minutes of the meeting:

Resolved: That Prof. W. D. Dabney be granted a leave of
absence of four days, beginning, December 14th 1897, for the
purpose of attending the United States Court at Harrisonburg,
Va, as advisory counself.

Resolved: That Professors W. H. Echols and J. M. Page
be re-elected to the respective chairs in the Mathematical
school to which they were elected in June 1896, to take effect
as of June 1, 1897.

At this point in the proceedings, the Rector, Dr Randolph,
vacated the chair and called on Visitor Watts to preside,
who took the chair.

Dr Randolph stated, that owing to the condition of his
health he preferred to resign as Rector, and tendered his
resignation, and asked that it be then accepted, whereupon
the following resolution offered by Visitor Gordon, was
adopted by a unanimous vote

Resolved: That the Visitors of the University accept
with sincere regret the resignation of Dr W. C. N. Randolph
as Rector of the University, which he has tendered on account

of the condition of his health. In accepting this resignation
the Visitors would put on record their appreciation of
the loyal and unselfish devotion with which he has looked
after the interests of the University, and the ability with
which he has discharged its duties during the ten years that
he has occupied this responsible and distinguished office,
and they desire to express the kindly personal regard of each
member of the Board for him.

They tender him their thanks for the efficiency and
ability with which he has filled this office, and their most
sincere wishes for the early restoration of his health.

Visitor Bryan nominated Visitor Watts as Rector in place
of Dr Randolph, resigned,- Mr Watts declined the honor, stating
that the claims of his business affairs upon his time and
attention were such as to prevent him from accepting the office,
and he thereupon placed in nomination Visitor Armistead
C. Gordon, which was seconded by Dr Randolph, and being put to
the vote, he was unanimously elected. Judge Watts then vacated
the chair in favor of the new Rector who proceeded to occupy it.

Resolved: That the work on the East Wall connecting the
new buildings and the old lawn, now under process of construction
by the acting Superintendent of Grounds & Buildings, be
altered in accordance with the recommendation of the Architects,
Messrs McKim, Mead & White.

On motion of Dr Randolph, Visitor Harmon was elected
chairman of the Building Committee, vice, Dr Randolph, resigned
and his resignation accepted.

Resolved: That the Chairs of History and Political Economy
be consolidated into one chair; and that profr R. H. Dabney

be elected to fill said Chair, with the full salary of a
Professor, said salary to take effect as of November 4th 1897,
the date of Profr Hdme's death.

Resolved: That the claim of Picivilli Brothers for
$5600.00 for 14 Inic Caps be referred to the Executive Committe,
with authority to approve or reject said claim as they
may determine upon a full ascertainment of the facts.

Resolved: That the claims of James E. Phillips and R.
Gueytiano, be referred to the Executive Committee, with power
to act, after an ascertainment of the facts.

Resolved: That $1000 00, or so much thereof as may be
necessary, be appropriated out of funds of the University of
Va, not otherwise appropriated, to be drawn on by the Chairman
and expended under the direction of the Board of Health of the
University, and said money shall only be expended if necessary
to avert a water famine at the University.

1. Resolved: That Mr. J. Walter Mayo be appointed Assistant
Instructor in Applied Mathematics with especial charge of the
practical work in Mechanical Engineering. 2.That the sum of
$600.00 be appropriated for the salary of said Instructor and
be placed to the credit of the fund for the Department of Engineering
which shall be charged with the payment of the salary.

Resolved: That the Attorney for the Board be directed
to take such steps as he may be advised to be proper, for the
collection of the guarantee bond given by C. E. Langley & Co.

Whereas in the opinion of the Board the dedication of the
new Buildings of the University should be made an occasion of

special interest to the Alumni and friends of the University
with appropriate proceedings and an address.

Resolved: That the Rector & Executive Committee are requested
to take such steps as they may deem proper to carry
out the purpose of the preamble, and that Judge Lambert Tree
of Chicago be invited to deliver an address on the occasion,
and should Judge Tree decline, the Rector and the Executive
Committee shall invite some other person to make the address.
That the day for such dedication shall be the 13th day of April
next, or should there be any good reason for not having the dedication
on that day, then on such other day as the Rector and
Executive Committee may select.

The Law Class of the University having presented a petition
asking that the Board make provision for Chairs in their
lecture rooms in place of benches, on consideration it was

Resolved: That the petition be referred to the Executive
Committee with power to act.

The Proctor brought to the attention of the Board a lot
of claims against former students and asked instruction of the
Board in regard to attempting to realize on them it was

Resolved: That the claims in favor of the University
against former students this day submitted by the Proctor,
be referred to the Chairman of the Executive and Mr John B.
Moon, the attorney for the Board for inquiry as to their solvency,
and a report to the Board at some future meeting as to
their disposition.

Resolved: That Mr J. Churchill Gordon be allowed to
stand the examinations in the School of Chemistry with the

privilege of receiving a diploma if he graduates, without
the further payment of fees.

The Special Committee on retrenchment through its Chairman,
Visitor Gordon, submitted its report, which was read and
on motion it was

Resolved: That the report of the Special Committee on
Retrenchment be copied and a copy sent to each member of the
Board; and that action thereon be deferred to a future meeting
of the Visitors; but so much of said report as recommends the
termination of the contract with the acting Superintendent of
Grounds and Buildings, and the abolition of the position of
clerk of the Building Committee is approved; and said contract
with said Superintendent terminate on the 15th of December
1897, and that the position of clerk of the Building Committee
be abolished after Decr 31st 1897, and that said Superintendent
and Clerk be instructed to turn over their books and papers to
the Proctor.

Resolved: That the Clerk of the Proctor shall act hereafter
as clerk of the Building Committee.

The chairman of the Faculty in a report called attention
to some errors in the recent codification of the laws of the
University and on motion it was

Resolved: That the report of the Chairman of the Faculty
be referred back to him and to the Secretary of the Board with
authority to prepare and submit to the Board a table of errata
to be added to or substituted for the revised code. Resolved,
further - that said Chairman be requested to submit to the

Board a statement embodying in form for enactment such changes
and emendations of said printed code in other respects as will
conform it to his understanding of the recorded laws of the
University, with references to pages of the record books.

Resolved: That the following correction be made in the
Laws of the University as revised and printed in 1897= That
Sec 122 p. 32 for $30. read $35.00

Resolved: That the application of Mr Banks J. Powell
for a return of fees be referred to the Proctor with authority
to return to him a fair proportion of his fees, as recommended
by the Faculty.

Resolved: First, that the Faculty's recommendation to
the Visitors that after the Session of 1897-1898 no student
be graduated in the Law Department who has not attended two
full sessions of the Law School, be adopted.

Second: That the Law Faculty be authorized to accept in
lieu of one year of such attendance, certificates of attendance
and of work satisfactorily performed at other approved law
schools, in which diplomas are given; provided, that in order
to obtain the degree each student must have passed a satisfactory
examination here upon all the subjects embraced in the
law course of the University.

Resolved: That the report of the Committee on creating
the Office of President of the University, and the resolutions
accompanying the same, be laid on the table.

The Chairman of the Faculty submitted a report of a Committee
of the Faculty, on scholarships which was read and considered
and on motion the following resolution, in regard
thereto was adopted.

Resolved: In accordance with the recommendations of
the Faculty as follows

I. For every five academic students in any one session sent
to the University by any private school from its pupils of the
preceding session, said school shall be entitled to a scholarship
the next session in the Academical Department of the University,
eligible to white male students, said scholarship
exempting the recipient, if he be a Virginian, from payment
of the matriculation fee, and if he be from any other state,
from the payment of tuition fees, but in neither case exempting
him from the payment of fees for laboratory courses in
Chemistry.

These scholarships shall be awarded under the following
conditions.:

1.st The recipient must be selected from the pupils of the
session preceding that in which they are to enter upon the
scholarship.

2.d Candidates shall stand examinations in Latin, Mathematics,
and the English Language. In Latin and Mathematics
the examination will be on a course equivalent to that of
Course A in the University, and in English on a course that
shall insure adequate preparation for the B. A. Course. The
examination questions shall be sent from the University to
the head-masters of the schools, who will hold the examinations
on certain specified days about the middle of May, and
will send the papers to the Secretary of the Faculty, signed
with a pledge, the head-master in addition certifying that,
to the best of his knowledge, the candidates received no assistance

in the examinations. The papers will then be read by
the professors of the respective subjects and such of them as
reach the standard required by the University will be sent
back, with the numerical percentage marks attached, to the
head-masters, who will then select one of the pupils thus passing
the examination to receive the scholarship. But if none
of the papers attain the University standard, no scholarship
shall be awarded.

II. The same privileges under the same conditions and limitations
shall be extended to the public schools of the whole
country.

III. The University offers to the public schools of Virginia
six academic Scholarships, two of which are to be filled annually
(except when the occurence of vacancies leads to a
modification) and such is to be held not longer than three
years by the incumbent, who shall receive $200. per annum
from the University and shall be exempted from the payment
of the matriculation fee. Any scholar holding a scholarship
under this provision who does not pass in at least one of his
classes for the whole of any year shall forfeit his scholarship
thereby.

In case of a vacancy occurring during the term of any
incumbent at the beginning of a session it shall be filled by
the appoint- for the unexpired term of the person receiving
the next eligible mark at the preceding examination to those
regularly appointed at that time. Should a vacancy occur during
the session, it shall be filled for the remainder of the
term, if any in a similar manner from the candidates at the
following May examinations.

Each public school shall be allowed to name three, or
less, of its white male graduates of the current session or
candidates for graduation (who shall not be elligible unless
they graduate that session) as candidates for scholarships,
and these shall stand examinations in Latin, Mathematics and
English, under the same regulations as stated above.

The University professors shall read and value the papers,
and the scholarships shall be awarded to the candidates who
receive the highest marks, provided those marks reach the University
standard, and provided that not more than one candidate
from any one school shall receive a scholarship the same year.
Each successful candidate must enter upon his University course
at the beggining of the session following his last session at
the public schools, and if he voluntarily chooses to avail himself
of the privileges of his scholarship, before his three
years expire, he can not be reinstated.

IV. The existing University scholarships are hereby abolished.

Resolved: That $1100. be appropriated out of the Fayerweather
money for the purpose of laying new gas mains and purchasing
new material.

Resolved: That in accordance with the recommendation of
Profr Kent in response to the resolution of the Board of June
16th, 1897, the sum of $750. of the Linden Kent memorial fund
be passed to the credit of the Linden Kent School of English
Literature, and permanently invested by the Proctor, the proceeds
to be used in advancing the work of the department; and
that the balance of $4731 be appropriated in meeting expenses
incident to the removal of said Professor to his new quarters
or necessary to the welfare of his department.

The Chairman of the Faculty submitted a petition of Mr
P. B. Jordan, asking the Board to order that he be refunded
the fees paid by him in the Latin Course, for reasons stated
in his petition, which request the Chairman of the Faculty
thought should not be granted and so endorsed on the petition,
and consideration it was

Resolved: That in accordance with the recommendation of
the Chairman the petition of Mr Jordan be not granted.

Resolved: That in accordance with the recommendation of
the Faculty Mr James G. Wright of Washington, Georgia, be allowed
an abatement of 2/3 s of his University fees for the
present session.

Resolved: That the salary of H. Novick be increased from
$60. per month to $75. per month, to date from Decr 1st 1897.

A communication from the Library Committee was recd and
read, and on consideration the following was adopted:

Resolved: That the communication from the Library Committee
be referred to the Proctor with the request

1st That he ascertain the cost of protecting the books, preferably
by wire covered doors.

2d The cost of dumb waiters for the transfer of books from
floor to floor.

3d The cost of the necessary detached books for general reference
and of chairs and tables necessary for the library.

4th The cost of cataloguing the books.

5th That he be authorized to furnish the librarian such assistance
as he may need and require in moving and transferring
the books in the rotunda.

An application from the Washington and the Jefferson
Literary Societies asking for an appropriation for furnishing
etc. their respective Halls which was considered, and it
was

Resolved: that the application be referred to the Proctor
with instructions to him to make an investigation and report
to the Executive Committee who shall have power to act.

A report of the Proctor accompanied by a financial statement
being before the Board, the same was read and considered,
and on motion it was

Resolved: That the report with the accompanying statement
be spread on the minutes of the Board.

University of Va, Decr 7th 1897.

To the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia,
Gentlemen,

I beg leave to submit for your information a statement
of the financial transactions of the University of Virginia,
since your annual meeting in June, in connection with the
restoration fund, the Fayerweather bequest, and the sinking
fund.

Disbursement of the Restoration Fund, and part of the
Fayerweather Fund used as such, have been made by me as
Proctor, on warrants from the Superintendent of Grounds and
Buildings on account of the Building Committee as authorized
by a resolution of the Board of Visitors April 23d, 1897.

The statement herewith rendered you, gives only the amount
of money that has been so far actually disbursed by this office
on this account. The Superintendent of Grounds and Buildings

will doubtless render you an account of the amounts already
expended, and the amounts pledged, but as yet unpaid, for
buildings, contracts and other purposes, as well as for apparatus
for Physical and Mechanical Laboratories.

The Executive Committee, at its meeting August 20th,
appropriated $5,385.00 for scientific apparatus for the Physical
Laboratory in addition to the $3,500.00 from the Shields
bequest, appropriated some time previously for the same object.

At the same meeting of the Executive Committee an appropriation
of $5,363.00 with the addition of $2,500.00 of the
Sinclair bequest, amounting to $7,863.00 was made to the Mechanical
Laboratory for the equipment of apparatus.

These accounts have been kept by the Superintendent of
Grounds and Buildings in connection with the Building Committee,
and I am not advised as to what part of them as been
paid or is yet to be paid. Doubtless you will be rendered
an account by him, which, coupled with the accompanying statement
from my office, will put you in possession of the true
state of the restoration accounts to date, paid and unpaid.

The Restoration Fund proper, amounting in the aggregate
to $328,624.54 was exhausted on the 8th of October, and by
authority of the Executive Committee, disbursements on warrants
from the Superintendent of Grounds and Buildings on account
of the Building Committee were then charged to the Fayerweather
Fund.

The amount charged to the Fayerweather Fund to date is
$29,992.20, making a total of disbursements on account of the
Building Committee of $358,616.74 not including payment to

contractors for the month of November, estimated by the Superintendent
of Grounds and Buildings to be about $20,000. Payment
to contractors for one month is made early in the succeeding
month, and the warrant for November has not yet been
presented for payment.

At a late meeting of the Executive Board, a resolution
was passed appropriating $5000.00, the gift of J. Randolph
Coolidge, to the carving of the capitals of the Rotunda porticos
and the erection of statuary in the galery of the Rotunda.

The Library Fund actually paid into the Restoration Fund
for the purpose of purchasing books has not been heretofore
separated from that fund. It amounts to $375.00 to date.

The account of repairs and improvements submitted, shows
the necessity for an additional appropriation by you to meet
the necessary expenses of the University from December the
15th, the time the position of Superintendent of Grounds and
Buildings will come under my charge, to July 1st, the end of
the fiscal year. I respectfully suggest a pro-rata appropriation
of the usual amount for the year.

By reference to my annual report you will recall that my
predecessor had sold the bonds of Virginia 3s belonging to
the Sinking Fund in order to re-invest the proceeds in the
Virginia 2s (Century,) bonds. This I deemed to be the best
investment to be made and it has been done with advantage to
the University, the Century bonds having advanced materially
in value since the investment.

The tabular statement accompanying this, shows the sinkfund
of the $200,000. New debt (Bonds 10-40s) has been started

in accordance with the action of the Board April 23d 1896,
by placing $2000. to its credit. The total sinking fund to
date for old and new debt is face falue $49,000.

It is necessary to renew the gas pipes and meters of the
University as soon as practicable. For the period of six
months ending October the 1st the period of smallest use of
gas, the Charlottesville Gas Company was paid $286.29 for gas,
and with meters attached to all pipes the receipts amounted
to $143.05 only, showing a large leakage. With the large use
of gas in the two new Laboratories the loss by leakage would
be so large as to warrant at once, the necessary expenditure
for new pipes and meters. I send an estimate for the amount
needed and ask that an appropriation be made now for the work.
It will be done under the supervision of H. Norrick, the head
mechanic of the University, and as cheaply as possible.

Insurance has been effected for five years on reasonable
terms, on the Rotunda and new buildings, including the Boiler
House and contents, in June, and on the contents of the Laboratories,
in November.

The boiler, with coal, engineer, and the steam connected
apparatus, will be a serious expense, not heretofore incurred,
unless they can be made partly self sustaining by the introduction
of steam into the houses of the professors, and into
the students rooms on the law. If the Board will authorize
the Executive Committee to take such action as it deems advisable,
the question may be carefully considered and decided.

I invite your attention to Dr Kent's letter and ask your
approval of the plan suggested by him in reference to the balance

due the Linden Kent Memorial School of English Literature,
mentioned in my annual report to the Board in June.
This suggestion accords with the invitation of the Board at
that meeting, and in my judgment will be beneficial to the
School and should be granted.

I enclose for your consideration, letters from Mr Robert
C. Taylor, attorney at law, and from Mr Putney of the law
firm of Putney & Bishop.

In conclusion I beg to state as a subject of interest,
that of 465 students matriculated to date, in which checks
large and small have been accepted, not one check has failed
to be paid on demand.

I have the honor to be, Very truly yours,

(signed) Thos H. Carter,
Proctor.

The "financial statement" made a part of the foregoing
report, is in the following words and figures, to wit:

Restoration Fund - University of Virginia -

                                                                                                                                                                                                             

1897	Cr
Feb. 1	By total receipts from all sources as per statement by Major Peyton, Proctor		$310,139.90
Feb. 28	By cash receipts in Feb. 1897		111.50
March 31	By cash receipts in Mar. 1897		790.33
Apl 30	By cash receipts in Apl 1897		62.00
May 31	By cash receipts in May 1897		6,217.56
		5,500
June 30	By cash receipts in June 1897	121.50	5,621.50
July 31	By cash receipts in July 1897		494.00
Aug 31	By cash receipts in Aug 1897		5,050.00
Sep. 30	By cash receipts in Sep. 1897		77.75
Oct. 31	By cash receipts in Oct. 1897		60.00
Decr 1	Total receipts for restoration purposes		$328,624.54
1897	Dr
Feb. 1	To disbursements as per statement by Proctor	$204,139.68
Feb. 28	To Building Committee in Feb.	21,306.31
Mar 31	To Building Committee in Mar.	14,815.79
Apl 30	To Building Committee in Apl.	14,225.64
May 31	To Building Committee in May	8,151.68
June 30	To Building Committee in June	5,578.10
July 31	To Building Committee in July	6,814.39
Aug. 31	To Building Committee in Aug.	9,946.82
Sep. 30	To Building Committee in Sep.	23,941.89
Oct. 8	To Building Committee to date in Oct.	19,704.24
Oct. 8	Total Disbursements from Restoration Fund		$328,624.54
Oct. 31	To Building Committee from Fayerweather Fund		2,996.61
Nov 30	To Building Committee from Fayerweather Fund		26,362.72
Decr 7	To Building Committee from Fayerweather Fund		632.87
Decr 7	Total disbursements by the Building Committee		$358,616.74
	Fayerweather Fund - University of Virginia -
1897	Cr
June 12	By balance from original bequest as per Proctor: report Appendix I		$ 189.30
June 24	By deposit in Peoples National Bank by Dr W. C. N. Randolph, Rector		9,236.08
			9,425.38
July 19	By check of Executors received through R. C. Taylor, atty,	75,000.
Sep 24	By check of Executors received through R. C. Taylor, atty,	10,000.
Nov 23	By check of Executors received through R. C. Taylor, atty,	10,000.	95,000.00
			$104,425.38
	Dr
July 19	To cash to Bishop & Putney, attys	6,000.
Sep 28	To cash to Bishop & Putney, attys	800.
Decr 9	To cash to Bishop & Putney, attys	800.	7,600.00
	Total Credits, (Net) to Fund -		$ 96,825.38
	Less payments to Building Committee -
Oct 31	To Restoration Fund from Oct. 8th	2,996.61
Nov 30	To Restoration Fund from Oct 31st	26,362.92
Decr 7	To Restoration Fund from Nov. 30th	632.87	29,992.20
Decr 8	By Balance		$ 66,833.18
—— Sinking Fund - University of Virginia ——
	Dr
1897
July 1	By amount of credits as per Proctor's report for fiscal year 1896-7		$ 13,778.12
	By Interest on same (from June 15th to July 23d)		87.26
	By Annual appropriation for Old debt		2,050.
	By Annual appropriation for New debt		2,000.
	By Interest from Ga Pacific Bonds		50
	By Interest from South side Bond		15
July 23d	By Amount of temporary appropriation from current revenues in order to complete purchase of $28,000. of Va Century Bonds, as per statement below		100.87
			$ 18,081.25
	Dr
July 16	To purchase of $6000. Va Century Bonds 64 1/4	$3,855.00
July 22	To purchase of 5000. Va Century Bonds 64 3/8	3,218.75
July 23	To purchase of 17,000 Va Century bonds 64 3/4	$11,007.50	$ 18,081.25
	— Statement —
May 26	By Inventory of deposits in vault of the Bank of Albemarle, viz University of Va Reg. 8% Bonds		$ 18,500.00
	Georgia Pacif. Coupon Bonds		2,000.00
	South Side R. R. Coupon Bonds		500.00
July 31	By deposit in the vault of the Bank of Albemarle Va Century bonds as per above purchases		28,000.00
	Total Face Value		$ 49,000.00
— Repairs & Improvements Fund - University of Virginia -
1897	Cr
July 1	By balance from 1896-7		$ 181.76
July 1	By appropriation by Board (general)		4,280.00
July 1	By appropriation by Board (special)		200.00
July 2	By appropriation by Ex. Commee (special)		1 550.00
			6 211.76
Oct 14	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Campbell	4.00
Oct 14	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Barnwell	3.00
Oct 14	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Jordan	22.50
Oct 14	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c ——	4.25
Oct 14	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Bingham	2.50
Oct 14	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Purvis	5.00
Oct 14	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Jordan	2.00
Oct 26	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Lile	4.00
Oct 26	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Prof Peters	15.00
Oct 26	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Prof Kent	15.00
Oct 30	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Prof Mallet	15.00
Oct 30	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Prof I. K. Moran	5.00
Oct 30	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Prof Buckmaster	15.39
Oct 30	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Prof Davis	9.00
Nov 2	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Prof ——	100.00
6	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c J. H. Corbitt	2.00
13	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Purvis	7.00
23	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Mrs Peters	54.50
29	By cash from R. Robertson, Supt a/c Dramatic Club	21.60
Decr 4	By Sundry bills rs Individuals	53.30
7	By Sundry bills rs Depts & Individuals	77.50
7	By bill rs Ths H. Carter	80.00
7	By sundry cash items from Profrs & others	12.00	440.04
			$ 6,651.80
	Dr
July 1 to Decr 7 To warrants #706 to #839, inclusive			6 261.27
	Balance to Credit R. & I.		$ 390.53

Estimate for material and expense of laying new Gas main and
connections in grounds of University of Va

                     

1650 feet of 4 inch pipe 16 1/4 c	$ 268.12
2700 feet of 2 inch pipe 7 3/4 c	213.10
1500 feet of 1 inch pipe 5c	75.00
500 lbs lead 4 1/2 c	22.50
500 lbs Oakum 8c	40.00
Drips	25.00
Labor, excavating etc.	175.00
Wages - Mechanics & helpers	125.00
	943.73
14,40 light meters 12.00	168.00
	$1 111.73

The following preamble and terms in respect to the Albemarle
Telephone Company etc., was read, considered, and passed,
and is in the following words and figures:

Whereas the Albemarle Telephone Company has applied for
the privilege of placing poles and stringing wires on the University
grounds in order to give telephone service to the University
of Virginia & whereas the Interstate Telephone & Telegraph
Co. already has such a privilege subject at will to the
recall of the University authorities, be it resolved that all

privileges heretofore granted to the Interstate Telephone &
Telegraph Co. be and are hereby withdrawn & that both of the
aforesaid companies be allowed to enter - grounds on the following
conditions.

1st Only one set of poles is to be entered, to be used jointly
by the two said companies, each company to bear half the cost
of removal, erection & maintenance of the said poles, & in case
of a disagreement between the companies as to this clause, the
matter in dispute shall be laid before the superintendent of
Grounds & Buildings of the University for arbitration, who
shall hear both sides and his decision as to the matter in dispute,
shall be final and binding on both companies.

2d The two said companies are given 15 days from the date of
this resolution, in which to signify their desire to avail
themselves of the privileges granted; and in the event of either
failing to accept the conditions hereof the other company
can go ahead along under this resolution, such changes being
made in condition as are necessitated by there being only one
company.

3.d All poles erected are to be straight wooden ones, painted
two coats with green paint 8 feet up, of such a character and
located at such places as seems proper to the Superintendent
of Grounds & Buildings, and they, with the wires strung on
them, shall be kept in such condition of repair as he may prescribe.

4.th No poles shall be erected at the Rotunda and no wires shall
cross above the Terrace Roofs, nor shall there be any wires on
the lawn.

5.th All privileges hereby granted can be withdrawn by the
Executive Committee or by the Board of Visitors of the University
without cause at pleasure, & the University shall
not be liable for any damages ensuing either to the Telephone
Companies or their subscribers.

6th In consideration of the privileges granted by these
articles, either or both of the said telephone companies
having accepted their conditions, shall go to work promptly
and shall institute as soon as practicable a first class
telephone service, which shall thereafter be maintained in
first class servicable condition as long as they enjoy the
concessions granted herein.

The Rector submitted a letter from the Architects, McKim,
Mead & White which was read and considered, and on motion the
following resolution was adopted.

Resolved= That the recommendations of the Architects,
McKim, Mead & White, contained in their letter to the Rector
dated Decr 10th 1897, be referred to the Building Committee,
with directions that the suggestions contained in said letter
be carried out as far as practicable, and that said letter
be spread upon the minutes.

Said letter is in the following words & figures

Charlottesville, Decr 10th 1897.

Dr W. C. N. Randolph,
Chairman,

Dr Randolph signified his purpose to resign as a member
of the Board of Visitors, owing to the condition of his
health, whereupon the following resolution was adopted by a
unanimous vote:

Resolved: That Dr W. C. N. Randolph be requested to
reconsider his determination to resign as a member of the
Board, as in their opinion the best interests of the University
will be promoted by his continued service until the
end of his term.

The Report of the Special Committee on Retrenchment referred
in a resolution appearing on page 206 [214], of this book,
is in the following words and figures, to wit:

To the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia.-

The undersigned, Your Committee, appointed pursuant
to the foregoing resolution, (the original resolution will be
found on page 179 [169-170] of this book. Secretary) respectfully
report:

The income of the University of Virginia for the present
session is estimated in round numbers at $122,000. Of
this sum the state contributes $50,000. in the form of its
regular annuity. The residue, viz: $72,000. is derived from
the fees of students and the income of the several endowment
funds.

The estimated expenditures for the session of 1897-1898
will consume the entire amount of said $122,000, and these
expenditures are all in the nature of fixed charges, except
about $1850. of deficit. (See Annual Report of the Faculty
to Visitors, dated June 5.th 1897 page 17) The experience
of this Board, which has already in the past two years reduced
the fixed charges of the institution on salary account
by $8,200. net, i.e. salaries for 1895-1896 $77,750; salaries
for 1897-1898 $69,550., (See Reports of Faculty, June, 1895,
p. 14, and June 1897, p. 18) doubtless assures each member of
an absolute necessity for the closest economy in its administrative
affairs, and emphasises the importance of further curtailment
of expenses, in view of new and yearly increasing
demands, whenever such curtailment can be made without practical
detriment to the progress and development of the institution.

It is therefore a matter of vital interest that there
shall be on the part of the Visitors continued and careful
scrutiny of the details of these fixed charges, with a view
to effecting legitimate retrenchment wherever it may be made,
not in the spirit of a timid restriction or an over-conservative
contraction of the forees which it should be our high and

enlightened duty to stimulate and enlarge,- but under the
spur of a relentless necessity that retrenchment should be
made.

Your Committee, therefore, begs leave to address itself,
first, to the consideration of the present standing
appropriations for salaries of professors and instructors.
They find upon examination (Faculty Report, June 1897) that
these appropriations aggregate $69,550.- a sum largely in
excess of one half of the gross income of the University
from all sources. The details of these appropriations are
as follows:

                         

17 Professors at	$3 000	$51,000.
2 Professors at	2,600	5,200.
1 Professors at	1,500	1,500.
1 Associate Prof.	2,000	2,000.
3 Adjunct Profs at	1,500	4,500.
Instructor in Physics		800.
Instructor in Latin		800.
Instructor in English Language		300.
2 Instructors Biology at	300.	600.
Demonstrator of Anatomy		800.
Demonstrator of Pathology etc.		800.
Director of Gymnasium		1,250
		$69,550

It will be noted, parenthetically, that the figures given
are those set out in the Faculty Report, and do not contemplate
the changes, comparatively slight in amount, made in
this estimate by the Visitors in June last.

For purposes of comparison and intelligent consideration,
it is deemed desirable to review the field of the past
twenty years instruction in the University, as measured solely
by men and money,- by the number of students and the number of
dollars paid by the University for their teaching. This is
the material point of view, which the Visitors, as administrators
of its business affairs, must of necessity take, however
unalluring the talk; nor can it reflect in any way upon
the character of the instruction given or the earnest and successful
efforts of the accomplished and diligent gentlemen who
have given it. It is a mere matter of fact.

Going back as far as 1874-75, we find from the catalogue
of that session that the University had then fifteen (15) full
professors, one (1) adjunct professor of Analytical and Agricultural
Chemistry, one (1) demonstrator of Anatomy, and one
(1) assistant instructor in Applied Mathematics.

On the basis of the standing appropriations for salaries
for the current session, the salaries paid those gentlemen in
1874-75 would be as follows:

             

15 Professors at	$3000.	$45,000.
1 Adjunct Profr at	1,500.	1,500.
1 Demonstrator of Anatomy		800.
1 Assistant in Mathematics		800.
		$47,100
If we add a Director of Gymnasium at		1,200
we have——		$48,350

As against $69,550. in 1897-98, we have, therefore $48,350
in 1894-1895, a difference of $21,200.

But it will be replied, and properly replied, that real
Universities move as the world moves, and that the University
of Virginia should not fall in the procession, that a larger
number of students are now taught here, and that they are better
taught now than then. Without entering into the question
of any other matter than that of the men and the money,- the
students and the salaries,- let us see

Your Committee submits herewith a table prepared by a
prominent Alumnus of the University, at the request of one
of the Committee, from the printed catalogues of the University,
covering the sessions from 1874-75 up to and including
1895-96, showing the numbers in the several departments, and
the total attendance in all departments of the University for each session.

Table.

                                             

Session.	Academic.	Law.	Medicine.	Total Attendance.
74-5	193	100	75	368
75-6	186	98	49	333
76-7	210	92	42	347
77-8	198	111	54	363
78-9	184	126	55	365
79-80	182	104	42	328
80-81	178	122	57	357
81-82	176	116	34	326
82-3	157	100	41	298
83-4	164	111	56	331
84-5	175	89	42	306
85-6	151	90	62	303
86-7	197	88	46	331
87-8	170	117	79	366
88-9	224	122	93	439
89-90	218	151	113	482
90-91	234	135	103	472
91-2	236	134	145	513
92-3	251	144	145	540
93-4	244	139	140	523
94-5	239	146	177	562
95-6	240	110	168	518

It may not be inappropriately remarked that this table
is well worth our careful study; and that the legitimate deductions
to be drawn from it, beyond those made hereafter for
the specific purposes of this report, would seem at least calculated
to give pause to the friends of the University of Virginia
in their contemplation of her future as a competitor, as
she has been hitherto, with the greater institutions of learning
of America.

The total attendance of students from 1874-75 to 1895-96,
inclusive, has been 8780, of which there are

     

In the Medical Department	1818
In the Law Department	2545
In the Academic Department	4417

             

The average attendance for the period of time between said dates has been	400 of which
there were in the Medical Dept	82
in the Law Dept	117
in the Academic Dept	201
The total attendance for the session of 1896-97 was 504 of which there were in the Medical Dept.	151
in the Law Dept.	119
in the Academic Dept.	234

In other words, the general attendance in 1896-97 was in
excess of the average attendance for 22 years 104,- an increase
of 2.6 per year.

The increase in the Medical Dept. in 1896-97 over the average
attendance in that department for 22 years was 69,- an increase
of 8.4 per year.

The increase in the Law Department in 1896-97 over the
average for 22 years was 4 - an increase of nil per annum.

The increase in the Academic Department in 1896-97 over
the average for 22 years was 33 - an increase of 1.6 per year.

The figures last given are especially significant in view
of the fact that for a considerable portion of said 22 years
the Academic schools of the University were not, as now, free
of tuition fees to all Virginia students.

From the foregoing it will be seen that had the Academic
Department made the same average per cent in increase per year
as did the Medical Department, it should have had for 1896-97,
370 students instead of 234, the Law Department on the same
ratio, should have had 212 instead of 119; and the total for
the year should have been 833 instead of 504.

It will be doubtless argued that numbers are not fair
criteria of the standing and excellence of an institution of
learning, or of the character of the work done and the standard

of scholarship; and this is from the highest standpoint
true.

Yet if these figures have any significance they cannot
fail to emphasize the fact that the opportunities of the student
of 1896-97 over him of 1874-75 should be, to say the
least, very great; and to cause this Board to consider whether
in contemplation of the present condition of the finances of
the Commonwealth, there should not be some lopping off somewhere,
however much the necessity therefor may be deplored.

The Committee does not believe in the indiscriminate
diminution of all salaries and compensation paid directly or
indirectly by the Commonwealth to those who faithfully serve
her; and most of all do its members stand for the liberal payment
of educational service to our youth on whose future the
Commonwealth must hereafter rest But that there is need of
careful and vigerous readjustment of ways and means to methods
and purposes in the University administration must be an
inevitable conclusion.

Returning again directly to the subject under discussion,
it will be noticed that associate professorships, adjunct professorships
and instructorships have grown up almost imperceptibly,
but none the less steadily, in the University in the
last twenty years. It is not denied that these are desirable
as conducive to the enlargement of the faculties of learning
and instruction, but this Committee cannot without grave apprehension
of future financial difficulties approve, under existing
conditions, the continued policy which shall promote their
future frequent establishment.

The Visitors are the servants of the Commonwealth. It
is their duty to conserve no less her interests and those of
her people, within their limited scope, than the interests
of the University itself. It is for them to see "Ne respublica
quid detrimenti copiat", so far as their administration of the
University's business matters are concerned.

When Your Committee reflects that the present purchasing
power of the money of exchange is greater than perhaps at any
period within the dates heretofore mentioned, and that of all
the State's officials there is none save the Governor and the
five Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals who receives a
salary equal in amount to those paid the Professors of the University,
we can feel little doubt that a reduction in amount
paid for instruction will be practically acquiesced in by the
Professors for the sake of the University no less than of the
Commonwealth.

Before closing this report, Your Committee would advert
to the salaries now paid officers of the University other than
instructors as compared with those paid them in 1874-75.

In 1874-75 the salaried officers of the University were a
Librarian who also performed the duties of Secretary of the
Faculty at a salary of $1000., a Commissioner of accounts at
a salary of $150. and a Proctor, who was also Superintendent
of Grounds and Buildings, at a salary of $2000., aggregating
$3,150. Expenditures in this direction have been increased
by a division of the labors of the Librarian, and the addition
of a Secretary of the Faculty to the corps of officers,
with an increase by reason of the salary of the latter of

$1000. Without specifically recommending it, in the absence
of more definite information as to the duties of the last named
official, it is suggested that the Visitors might at least inquire
into the expediency of consolidating the two offices at
one salary as formerly.

The work of restoration having been practically completed,
the further retention of the Acting Superintendent of Grounds
and Buildings is unnecessary, and his salary of $100. per month
can now be retrenched; as can that of the Clerk of the Building
Committee, who has been receiving $50. per month.

Your Committee therefore respectfully recommend that after
July 1st, 1898, the salaries of the Professors in the University
be fixed at $3000. per annum; that the pavilions and residences
in the University, except that of the Proctor, be rented
to Professors at the annual rental of $250. each, giving to
those who now occupy them the refusal of a continuance of occupation
at said rental; that the commutations for rents heretofore
granted Professors be abolished; that the instructorships
in Latin, Physics and the English Language be abolished; that
the temporary employment of a Superintendent of Grounds and
Buildings cease, that the Clerkship of the Building Committee
be abolished; and that the Visitors inquire into the expediency
of consolidating the posts of Librarian and Secretary of the
Faculty.

Your Committee estimate that, independent of the temporary
charges affixed to the present employment of a special Superintendent
of Grounds and Buildings and a Building Committee
Clerk, this action, if now taken, will reduce the present fixed
charges of the University by $7,000., as follows, viz -

                 

Commutation of rent	$2100.
Nine Lawn pavilions at $250. each	2250.
Dr Mallet's residence	250.
Profr Thornton's residence	250.
Profr Stones residence	250.
Instructor in Physics	800.
Instructor in Latin	800.
Instructor in English	300.
Total	$7,000.

As has been stated heretofore, the present Board of Visitors
has, within the past two years, cut down the fixed charges
of the University on salary account $8,200., without material
inconvenience or disadvantage to the University, by the abolition
of certain chairs and the assignment of the duties incident
thereto, to other chairs, and by the re-arrangement of
certain other Schools of the University. Should, therefore,
the recommendation of the present report be accepted, there
will have accomplished, within a period of two years, by the
present Board of Visitors, a reduction of the fixed charges
of the University of $15,000. in one direction, and with no
sensible diminution of the University's capacity for usefulness.

Respectfully,

Armistead C. Gordon

Wm B. McIlwaine

Committee.

December 7th, 1897.

(See correspondence appended.)

Correspondence accompanying Report.

Col. Thos H. Carter, Proctor of the University of Va.

On motion the Board adjourned sine die.