University of Virginia Library


246

At a meeting of the Board of Visitors of the University
of Virginia called by the Rector and held in pursuance of notice,
on the 17th day of February 1898,

Present, Armistead C. Gordon, Rector and Visitors Randolph,
Irvine, Harmon and Bryan.

The Rector called the Board to order and then called Mr
Bryan to the chair whilst he offered the following resolution
which was read and adopted, and the Rector resumed the chair:

Resolved: That the proposition of Jno. Williams, per
Messrs McKim, Mead & White to furnish and set in place complete,
one cast bronze tablet in the entrance Hall of the Academical
Building for the sum of $325., the same to be of oxidized statuary
color, be accepted: said tablet to contain the following
inscription:

"Even in our ashes live their wonted fires."

This Tablet commemorates the burning on October 27th,
1895 of the Rotunda and Public Hall of the University of Virginia:—and
the restoration of the Rotunda and the building
of the Academical Hall, the Rouss Mechanical Laboratory and
the Physical Laboratory, during the years 1896-1897 and 1898
under the direction of W. C. N. Randolph, Rector, Armistead
C. Gordon, Rector, Wm Gordon McCabe, Daniel Harmon, Legh R
Watts, Marshall McCormick, Thomas S. Martin, Rawley W. Martin,
R. Tate Irvine, Joseph Bryan, Camm Patteson, Wm B. Mc-
Ilwaine of the Visitors; William M. Thornton, William H.
Echols of the Faculty, McKim, Mead & White, Architects.

1898.


247

The following was also enacted:

Resolved, that the certificate of the Architects for
extra work completed before December 14th 1897, for $5430.27
be paid to R. F. Tucker the contractor.

Resolved, that bill of extras, so far as not ordered to
be paid, and the Equity account of R. F. Tucker, contractor,
be referred to the Executive Committee.

Resolved, that the certificate of the Architect for the
payment of $2000. to W. J. Whitehurst supported by an order
on R. F. Tucker's account of his sub contract for bookcases
and screens in the library, be paid, with the condition that
this payment is not to be regarded as an acceptance of the
work.

Resolved, that the Rector be directed to execute the
bond required to be given to the Board for the distribution
of dead bodies for the Medical department, the penalty of
said bond being $1000.

The Rector vacated the chair and called Mr Harmon to
occupy it and then offered the following resolution which
was adopted & after which he resumed the chair:

Resolved, that the Proctor be authorized to have a copy
of the minutes of the Building Committee made for Mr Armistead
C. Gordon at his proper costs and charges.

Resolved, that the Proctor cause his clerk to record on
the minute book of the Building Committee the contract of the
Rector and Visitors with Ross F. Tucker for the completion of
the buildings.


248

Resolved, that the two bills of J. E. Phillips for extra
work amounting to $73.30 and $54. respectively, be paid.

Whereas, through a letter from Mr Robert L. Harrison
this Board is informed that the friends of the late Alfred
H. Byrd, a brilliant and distinguished young alumnus of the
University of Virginia, who recently departed this life in
New York City, have expressed a desire to present to the University
for its Library an oil portrait of Mr Byrd by some
artist of known reputation:

Resolved, that the Rector and Visitors will accept the
contemplated gift with great satisfaction and will direct
that the same be hung on our walls as a mark of respect for
Mr Byrd's achievements as a student at this institution and
an incentive to the students who shall come hereafter, to
emulate his virtues.

Whereas, Miss Fanny M. Burke, a great-grand daughter
of Mr Jefferson has expressed a desire to present to the
University a copy made by her of Trumbull's sketch of Mr
Jefferson's head which was executed by him in Paris for his
picture of the signers of the Declaration of Independence
in the Capitol at Washington.

Resolved, that the Rector and Visitors accept with
thanks the gift of Miss Burke.

Resolved, that the Proctor be authorized to purchase
necessary window shades for the new lecture rooms; also to
have the outside of the Rotunda dome painted white and to
have the inside of the dome painted or colored and the Library
galleries painted white.


249

Resolved, that the P. K. Club be allowed the use of the
Gymnasium for a ball on the night of June 11th 1898.

Resolved, that the fee bill of John B. Moon for legal
services in connection with damage suits against the University,
amounting to $490.50 be paid.

Resolved, that the name of the School of History and
Political Economy be changed to the School of Historical
and Economical Science.

Resolved, that the Health Committee be authorized to
expend so much of the reservoir fund of $561. as may be necessary,
in addition to the $1000. heretofore appropriated to
avert a water famine.

Resolved, That action on the Report of the Committee on
Retrenchment and Reform be deferred to a future meeting; and
that the Senator and Representatives from Albemarle be requested
to present to the General Assembly of Virginia if
practicable the following memorial, on some day of the present
session after the appropriation to the University shall have
been fully disposed of:

Memorial.

Of the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.

In order to enable the Rector and Visitors of the University
to properly and economically adjust the salaries and
emoluments of the Professors in the University, they do memorialize
the general assembly to so amend section 1551 of
the Code of Virginia as to relieve the said Rector and Visitors
of the legal necessity of providing residences for said


250

Professors, or commutation therefor; so that said section
as amended and re-enacted shall read as follows:

Sec. 1551. Professor's salaries, fees, and houses.
Each professor shall received a stated salary, and may also
receive such additional compensation out of the fees for tuition
and other revenues of the University as the Visitors may
from time to time direct.

Mr Irvine read and moved the adoption of the following
resolutions in regard to a communication from Profr W. H.
Echols in relation to the salary of the Profr of Mathematics:

1 Resolved, that in the opinion of the Board, the finances
of the University are not in a condition to justify the payment
of a greater sum for said salary during the current session
than $2600. and a residence, as paid during the preceding
year; but in taking this action the Board desires to place on
record that it does not mean to place the Chair of Mathematics
on a lower plane than the other full professorships of the
University, nor to reflect on the efficiency and ability of
Profr Echols whose work has been and is, entirely satisfactory
in every respect, to this Board, but financial reasons
alone controlling this action, it having been the intention
of the Board at the time of the election of Profr Echols and
the present Adjunct professor of Mathematics that the total
amount paid on account of this school should not exceed that
formerly paid.

2 Resolved, further, that the question of equalizing the salary
of the professor of Mathematics with that of the other
chairs of the University, be left for the action of the incoming
Board.


251

Mr Gordon offered the following as a substitute for Mr
Irvine's resolution:

Resolved, that the salary of the Professor Mathematics,
W. H. Echols be fixed at $3000. per annum, and a residence,
or commutation of rent, beginning with July 1, 1897.

A vote was first taken on the adoption of the substitute
and it was defeated.

The resolutions of Mr Irvine were then voted on and the
same were adopted.

On motion it was

Resolved, that the Board adjourn to meet on March 17th
1898.

Armistead C. Gordon,
Rector.
Teste,
Jas D. Jones,
Secretary.

University of Virginia,
March 17th 1898.

The Visitors met this, the 17th day of March 1898, pursuant
to the adjourning order of the Board made on the 17th
ult., of which all of the Visitors were duly notified by the
Secretary in advance of this meeting.

Present, Daniel Harmon, R. J. Irvine, Joseph Bryan, of
the late Board, and Charles P. Jones, Carter Glass, Algernon
B. Chandler, George W. Miles and Henry H. Downing, the five
Visitors recently commissioned as such by the Governor of
Virginia to serve for the term of four years next ensuing the
28th day of February 1898, Vice, W. C. N. Randolph, Legh R.


252

Watts, Armistead C. Gordon and Henry T. Wickham, the last
named being the successor of Mr Camm Patteson, resigned
Decr 10th 1897.

Absent W. B. McIlwaine.

Mr Harmon, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the
late Board, called the meeting to order and stated the first
order of business to be the election of a Rector and Secretary
whereupon Mr Irvine nominated for Rector Mr C. P. Jones
which was seconded by Mr Bryan, and there being no other
nomination, the vote was taken and Mr Jones unanimously
elected.

The Rector took the chair and announced that the election
of a Secretary was next in order,- Mr Irvine thereupon
nominated Mr James D. Jones, the late incumbent, which was
seconded by Mr Harmon, there was no other nomination, and the
vote was taken and Mr Jones unanimously elected Secretary.

On motion the Board then proceeded to elect members of
the Executive Committee and the following Visitors were proposed,
and elected, viz:

Messrs Harmon, Chairman, Jones, Rector, Glass, Bryan and
Miles.

The Chairman of the Faculty submitted a report of the
Faculty which is in the following words and figures, to wit:

To
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia:—
Gentlemen,

As chairman of the University I take pleasure in reporting
that so far this session the health and general conduct


253

of the students have been extremely good, and I take
still greater pleasure in reporting that they have met their
financial obligations in a way that leads me to hope that the
deficiency caused by the action of the Legislature can be
largely made up in this office.

The following recommendations of the Faculty are respectfully
submitted with the hope that they will be approved.
Should the Board find anything herein not perfectly understood,
the Chairman would be glad to have the opportunity to explain.

1. The Committee on advertising recommends that the Board of
Visitors be requested to appoint Rev. J. Williams Jones agent
for the University, for three months, at a salary of one hundred
dollars a month and traveling expenses.

2. The following recommended by the Library Committee is
adopted: "That the Visitors be requested to appropriate out
of the restoration fund of $300.00, or so much thereof as
may be necessary, to meet the expenses of moving the books,
of purchasing such additional tables and chairs, of putting
locks on the cases in the upper gallery, etc".

3. The following resolution was unanimously adopted:-

"In view of Col Charles S. Venable's self-sacrificing labor
in behalf of the University of Virginia and of his personal
devotion to his Alma Mater, and in view further of this distinguished
services as Professor of Mathematics,

Be it resolved, that the Faculty herewith memorializes
the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia to declare
Col Venable Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, and to
order his name restored to the official list of University


254

professors in the former position of relative official seniority."

4. "Resolved, that it be recommended to the Visitors to extend
the Christmas holiday from Decr 24th to Jan. 2nd, including
both dates. Ayes 10 Nos 5."

5. "Resolved, that the Chairman is requested to ask the Visitors
to make an early appropriation for chandaliers for all
the buildings."

6. "Resolved, that it be recommended to the Visitors to appropriate
$150.00 for the purpose of putting an electric system
of time service in the University."

7. "Resolved, that the Faculty recommends to the Rector and
Visitors the enactment of a regulation authorizing the chairman
to permit, at his discretion, ministers of the Gospel and
approved candidates for the ministry to matriculate in the
Academic Department for a term of three months upon the payment
of the proper proportion, namely one third, of the ma-
triculation fees."

8. "Resolved, that the Board be requested to provide the
lecture rooms with comfortable seats before the beginning of
the next session, The Faculty deeming this of even more importance
than the seating of the Public Hall."

9. "Resolved, that the Department of Agriculture is at present
the only one in the University in connection with which
there is no definite course of work looking to a degree.
The Board of Visitors are therefore requested to authorize
this Department of the University to offer the degree of Bachelor
of Science to students who comply with the following requirements:-


255

"The completion of one B. S. Course in each of the following
subjects with graduation in any two of the schools
represented, viz,:-

"Botany, General Chemistry Physics, Comparative Anatomy,
Analytical Chemistry, and Geology; the completion of one B. S.
course from the group of Mathematical Sciences; and of the
course in scientific French and scientific German."

"The B. S. Course shall in each case be the same as, or
the equivalent of, the B. A. course in the same subject."

10. "Resolved, that the Buildings of the University, be offered,
in so far as they are needed, for the use of the School
of Methods, which will meet this summer in Charlottesville."

Hoping that the above suggestions may all be approved,
I remain very respectfully,

P. B. Barringer,
Chairman.

The Chairman of the Faculty also submitted a communication
of which the following is a copy:

To the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia,
Gentlemen: In view of the contemplated dedication of the
new buildings in June next it is absolutely imperative that
the Board should decide now what sum of money it can appropriate
for this celebration. This sum should be appropriated
and made available at once, as the Joint Committee on celebrations
can do nothing until they know exactly what sum is at
hand. The celebration is but a part of the necessary advertising
of the University and in view of all the circumstances
should be as liberally provided for as possible.


256

Very respectfully
P. B. Barringer,
Chairman

On consideration of said communication the following
was adopted:

Resolved: That the question of expense of the next final
celebration be referred to the Committee consisting of the
Rector and Executive Committee with power to act.

On the recommendation of the Chairman of the Faculty
the following resolution was submitted for the consideration
of the Board:

Resolved: That the Board be asked to empower the Faculty
to require the students to submit the names of speakers selected
by them for all public exercises, to the Faculty for
approval before extending to such speakers any invitation to
speak at the University.

After considering the foregoing recommendation, the Board
on motion ordered the resolution to be laid on the table.

Mr Ross F. Tucker, contractor, submitted an account,
which is in the following words and figures, to wit:

Statement of account To settle all claims at the Univ.
of Va.

       

257

   
Balance due on Contract  $14 993.40 
Total of Extras ordered (See detailed statement
herewith) 
9 226.47 
Total of Extras ordered by Profrs Thornton and
and Smith, (detailed statement herewith) 
470.01 
Total of Extra work ordered by Mr Skinner of various
sub contractors - (See detailed statement
herewith) 
3 068.08 
Reserve of sub-contractor's, accounts held by the
University 
322.99 
13 087.55 
                 
Less No. 1  89.15 
324.83 
14.13 
28.87 
745.45  1 202.43 
Amount of account  $ ——  $11 885.12 
Previous payment  $ —— 
Approved for payment of $11 885.12 
Feb'y 15, 1898 

McKim, Mead & White.

Martin.

Extra Orders.

                 

258

           
Extra No. 1  Work on walls of old terraces  $1 718.62  percentage 
Extra No. 2  Moving pump Mechanical Laboratory  39.43  percentage 
Extra No. 3  Constructing partitions, shelving,
etc 
473.00  contract 
Extra No. 4  Building 6 apparatus tables  111.00  contract 
Extra No. 5  Metal Lathing ceiling  15.00  contract 
Extra No. 6  Grading & Filling So. Wing
Phys. Bl'dg. 
11.20  contract 
Extra No. 9  Letters on Mech. & Phys. Bldgs.  137.63  per centage 
Extra No. 9  Letters on Academical Bldgs.  182.37  per centage 
Extra No. 10  Coating with Anti-Hydrine  21.63  per centage 
Extra No. 11  Setting boilers in boiler house  2 132.71  per centage 
Extra No. 12  Moving Engine from shed,
Making foundation & templet 
107.91  per centage 
Extra No. 15  Stuccoing Academical  479.71  contract 
Extra No. 14  Lower garden steps  450.00  contract 
Extra No. 13  Book Cases  3 346.20  contract 
Total  $9 226.47 

Equity Account.

                                     

259

                                 
Rotunda Building 
Char. Lumber Co. Storm Door, Trim & Carpentry  $ 94.40 
B. & R. Storm Door, hardware  202.62 
Char. Lumber Co. Miscellaneous trim in Rotunda
supposed to be on hand 
89.15  No.
(1) 
Miscellaneous hardware in Rotunda, supposed to be
on hand 
324.83  (2) 
Gilman - Repairing in front terrace rooms and
rough coating 
169.40 
I Phillips Frosting glass in skylight  7.50 
M. C. Co. Putting in 14 slabs under south porch  14.13  (3) 
M. C. Co. Moving opening for registers (main
floor) 
3.00 
M. C. Co. Cutting pedestal, 3d Gal. Rail  70.87 
Academical Building. 
Gilman Plain and ornamental caps. theatre  90.30 
Char. Lumber Co. Material Lecture room stand  3.81 
B. & R. Hardware  28.87  (4) 
Miscellaneous Painting 
Painting platform, East wing, (Acad.)  3.85 
Painting 6 sinks in Phys Bldg 
Painting 2 sinks in Mech. Bldg  3.52 
Painting Ceiling under lavatory (Phys.)  3.85 
Painting 2 doors in Mech.  4.95 
Painting 2 doors in Acad. 
Painting 1 door in Entrance to arcades 
Handrail coping in Acad.  23.00 
Miscellaneous Carpentry. 
Changing door - back hall (Phys)  2.85 
4 pieces 3 + 2 - 16 scotia in basement  2.00 
Cutting scuttle, etc. Acad. Bldg  10.50 
Stand (Lecture Room)  38.50 
Hand rail copping.  60.00 
Shelving, stop for — in basement brick wall,
moulding etc. work on lecture stand in Acad.
(Extra trim etc), Trim & Miscellaneous Carpen-
try (Phys) 
17.92 
Prof. Smiths Work. 
Gilman Repairing black board in main lecture room  14.90 
Char. Lumber Co. Iron Hangers  9.74 
Char. Lumber Co. Strips in Prof. Smiths room  6.60  - 1307.05 
Char. Lumber Co. Iron instrument stand (Phys)  27.50 
Char. Lumber Co. One door to basement  27.50 
           
Additional work on Prof. Smith's room. 
James Phillips  Painting strip top and between -
of blackboard, cleaning & varnishing
base, etc. 
4.73 
Char. Lumber Co.  Extra work on ceiling light, 9
pulleys 
23.37 
Freight on ceiling light  3.60 
Jas Phillips  Painting 3 screens around windows
of Court temp. room 
2.72 
Gilman  Painting of plaster around skylight
in Main Phys Hall 
5.28 

260

                                                   

261

         
Ceiling Light Ribs. 
Garden Steps. Should have been furnished with
sash, Whitehurst 
233.00 
M.C. Co Garden steps - Rotunda no.
(5) 
745.45 
M.C. Co Bulk heads to lower flight  186.72 
Additional items ordered by Mr Skinner since above were approved: 
Carpenter work
Material and labor for stairs in basement, (Acad.)  110.00 
Cutting gateway in Acad., rail,  5.50 
Changing astroyal on front doors (Acad.) (Phys)
(Mech.) 
2.50 
Material for stage, door on stairway in (Acad.)  30.00 
Painting. 
Painting inside of book cases (not specified)  133.00 
Painting 2 iron sinks (Acad)  1.10 
Painting front of 3 skylights  2.50 
Painting strips on front doors (Acad)  1.75 
Painting iron girders over skylight in Auditorium
of Acad Bldg 
4.00 
Painting strip on front doors (Phys)  1.75 
Painting zinc door to Arcade No. Wing  1.50 
Painting strips front door (Mech.)  1.75 
Filling and varnishing 18 window poles
25c 
4.50 
Plumbing. 
J. E. Phillips. Connecting dry wells on lawn 51
soil pipe strainers, Bends (not in Extra No 1) 
24.20 
$1583.29 
$2890.37 
The Manhattan Concrete Co. 
Extra concrete steps in Acad. theatre  25.40 
Capping to crown moulding of two Acad. entrances  17.85 
Cement work at clock openings in pedmt of
Rotunda in place of copper omitted 
11.40 
Extra & special hardware distributed on the several
lower buildings, net specified (as per memorandum) 
113.06 
For repairing paving pulled up by the Southern
Electric Co. (Mr Skinner's order) 
10.00 
$3068.08 

Memorandum of Special Hardware.

                                       
Nov. 12  Esc.02588 for 1345 lock 
Nov. 23  2 doz.hand rail brackets 0100 1/2 
Nov. 26  22 swivel pulleys 
Decr 1  11 Tap. cleats 
Decr 6  2 pr. butts 61 6 + 6 
Decr 6  5 sets of locks 1365 K 1519 1/2 E.
702589 1/4 
Decr 6  3 Esc. 02588 for inside 
Decr 29  100 door stops R. T. Birch 
Decr 29  150 floor stops R. T. Birch  $53.43 
Decr 31  20 doz. sail sockets 2186 1/2 
1 doz. buttons #193 
8 pr butts 061 4 + 4 
8 bolts #1249 1/2 4in 
8 chain bolts 1259 1/2 4in 
12 door pulls 1619 1/2 5 1/2 in 
2 Sample pivoted sash catches  30.91 
Jan. 13  12 Small special casements fasts. 
6 Small special casements fasts. 
3 transom lifts 84 1/2 4 ft  27.22 
Jan. 20  10 sash bolts 1405  1.50 

262

Prof. Smith's Physics Buildg

         
Gilman Repairing blackboard in main lecture room  14.90 
Char. Lumber Co Iron hangers  9.74 
Char. Lumber Co Strips in Prof. Smith's room  6.60 
Char. Lumber Co Iron Instrument stand (Phys)  27.50 
Char. Lumber Co One door to basement  27.50 

Additional work on Prof Smith's room.

             
James Phillips - Painting strip top & between of 
blakborad, cleaning & varnishing base, etc,  4.13 
Char. Lumber Co. Extra work on ceiling light, 9
pulleys 
23.37 
Freight on ceiling light  3.60 
Jas Phillips  Painting 2 screens around windows
of Court Temp Room 
2.72 
Gilman  Painting of plaster around sky
light in Main Phys Hall 
5.28 
$125.34 

Profr Thornton's account - as rendered to him.

       
Piers for machinery, etc, in Mechanical
Basement 
$231.30 
Work at boiler house  91.30 
Additional work at boiler house  22.07 
$344.67 

The Board, after examining the account of Mr Tucker and hearing
the statements of himself and Mr Skinner in relation, after
consideration, adopted the following resolutions numbered 1, 2,
3 respectively:

1. Resolved: That the items in the equity account this day
presented by Ross F. Tucker mentioned as bills incurred by
Profs Smith and Thornton and the item of $745.45 for certain


263

concrete steps be referred to the Executive Committee of this
Board with power to take such action as they may deem best.

2. Resolved: That $734.67 be paid to Ross F. Tucker in full
satisfaction of so much of his equity account as has not been
by former resolution at this meeting, referred to the Executive
Committee; but this payment is to be made only on condition
that the Tucker shall agree to accept as final the action
of the Executive Committee on the part of said account referred
to it and to further accept the payment above provided for and
such payment, if any, as the Executive Committee may authorize
on the residue of the said account as a final and complete satisfaction
of all his claims and demands against this corporation
under said account. He having already stated to this Board
that he has no legal claim to said equity account.

     
The foregoing resolution (2) was offered by Mr Harmon and
it was moved by Mr Miles that a recorded vote be taken thereon
by a call of the ayes and nos, which was ordered and the vote
so taken was as follows: Ayes, Messrs Bryan, Harmon, Irvine,
Chandler and Mr Rector 
Nos, Messrs Glass, Miles and Downing 
So the resolution was adopted. 

3. Resolved: That the balance due Ross F Tucker under his
contract be paid upon presentation of all proper certificates
from the Architects, and when the Superintendent of Grounds &
Buildings shall be satisfied with the proper execution of the
work, but said payment is to be made only when the Counsel for
the Board shall advise that all claims and attempted liens


264

under said contract are satisfied, and that the said payment
can be properly made. But no payment is to be made until the
said Counsel shall be satisfied that such indemnifying bond
or bonds as the Executive Committee may lawfully require under
said contract is in full force and effect and said Committee
shall be authorized to substitute a new bond in such penalty
and with such conditions as they think proper for for the one
which has heretofore been given by said Tucker.

Resolved: That Mr George E. Walker, attorney, who has
in hand the collection of certain notes and bonds due the University
be authorized to exercise his best judgment in the collection
of said claims and with the assent of the Proctor to
compromise any of them on such terms as he may think proper.
The Proctor will take care of and preserve the receipt of Mr
Walker for said claims.

Before entering upon their duties as Visitors, the new
members took the oaths of office, Mr Miles having qualified
before the Judge of the Hustings Court of the City of Radford,
and Messrs Chandler, Jones, Downing and Glass before
the Judge of the County Court of Albemarle County.

At 11 1/2 P. M.

On motion the Board adjourned to meet tomorrow at
9 1/2 A. M.

Charles P. Jones
Rector.

Jas D. Jones,
Secretary.


265

University of Va,
March 18th 1898.

The Board met pursuant to adjournment on yesterday.

Present, the same members as on yesterday with the exception
of Mr Irvine, who was excused, on account of other important
engagements compelling him to leave.

The following was enacted

Resolved: That a Committee consisting of Mr Harmon,
chairman of the Executive Committee, Col Carter the Superintendent
of Grounds & Buildings and Dr Barringer, Chairman of
the Faculty, be requested and empowered to purchase seats for
the Auditorium and lecture rooms of the University and also
the necessary chandaliers.

On the application of Prof. Perkinson, approved by the
chairman of the Faculty,

Resolved: That Pavilion No VI East Lawn be assigned to
Profr Perkinson under the usual conditions, and that the Pro-
tor is instructed to have made such repairs and improvements
as are usual when a Pavilion changes hands.

Resolved: That the Proctor return to Mr R. S. Brank the
sum of $15.00 paid by him on Sep 17th 1897 to the Proctor, in
excess of fees.

On the application of Don Preston Peters, Manager of the
University Base Ball Team,

Resolved: That enough of the lumber now being used as
scaffolding in the Rotunda to erect a grand stand on the ball
grounds of the General Athletic Association of the University


266

of Va, be given to said Association for said purpose,- the
amount required supposed to be between 4000 & 5000 feet, and
in addition $25.00 is appropriated towards the erection of
said stand.

Resolved: That the sincere gratitude of the Board of
Visitors of the University of Virginia be tendered Mr C. B.
Rouss of New York for his munificence in presenting to the
University the sum of $10,000. for the completion of the
Rouss Physical Laboratory whose existence in the first instance
is due to his princely bounty.

Resolved further: That the appreciation of this Board
of such substantial aid from such a good friend is further
increased by the choice sentiments which are expressed by Mr
Rouss in presenting this gift, showing such fine discriminating
knowledge of the work of the University.

Resolved: That the Secretary of the Board be instructed
to convey a copy of these resolutions to Mr Rouss.

Resolved: That the Board return their thanks to Mrs Green
Peyton, President, Mrs Nannie H. Barringer and Prof. James A.
Harrison and to those who aided them in collecting $168 45 which
has been contributed for the purchase of a clock to be placed
in the front of the Rotunda and as soon as the pressing claims
upon the funds of the University have been met, the Board will
appropriate, such a sum as they may be able to allow, for the
purchase of a clock. The Board regrets that it cannot at once
meet the condition upon which this sum is offered, and hopes
that the friends of the University will not be discouraged in
their efforts by the delay.


267

The Secretary is directed to send a copy of this resolu-
tion to Mrs Green Peyton, President.

Resolved: That the Rector appoint a Committee of the three
of the Board's members to inquire into and define more clearly
the duties of the Chairman of the Faculty and after consultation
with members of the Faculty to recommend to the Board
of Visitors at its annual meeting in June next in what way the
Professional duties of the Chairman can be so arranged and
lightened as to give the Professor discharging the duties of
Chairman more leisure for the discharge of these important and
absorbing duties and

Resolved further: That said Committee be requested to
report to this Board what adjustment would be necessary in order
to compass this end.

The Rector appointed Messrs Miles, Bryan and Harmon the
Committee under the foregoing resolution.

Resolved: That the Executive Committee of this Board be
authorized and requested to inquire into the desirability and
practicability of supplying an omission in the library of the
Law department in the matter of the National Reporter system;
and if, in the opinion of the Committee, it be deemed expedient
to supply said omission, the Committee is hereby empowered to
make the necessary expenditure.

Resolved: That the bill of McKim, Mead & White be referred
to the Executive Committee with power to act.

Resolved: That the Board desire to put on record their
sense of obligation to Messrs McKim, Mead & White, the Architects
to whom was committed the duty of designing the superintending


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the construction of the New Buildings, and the restoration
of the Rotunda, rendered necessary by the disastrous
fire of October 1895.

To a marked genius which grasped the whole situation and
in a masterly way offered a striking solution of practical
difficulties in a manner at once harmonious with but expansive
of the original design and preserved the distinctly classic
features of the University buildings, they added a personal
interest and zeal in carrying out the work which have left
their impress upon all they touched.

To Mr Stanford White the Board desires especially to express
their grateful acknowledgment of his unceasing labors
and the unreserved devotion of his signal abilities to the accomplishment
of the best and noblest results for the University
buildings the whole of which as now completed have greatly increased
the efficiency and attractions of the University and
have made it a more splendid monument to its great founder,
Thomas Jefferson.

The Secretary is directed to send a copy of these resolutions
to Messrs McKim, Mead & White and a copy to Mr Standford
White.

Resolved: That the offer of Mr Stanford White made to
Mr D. Harmon, Chairman of the Executive Committee, dated March
11th, 1898, touching the construction of the colonades connecting
the Academic Building with the Physical and Mechanical
Buildings, be and is hereby accepted with thanks, and the construction
at the price proposed by the Manhattan Concrete Co.
in their letter of March 10th 1898, to Messrs McKim, Mead &
White is hereby authorized.


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Resolved: That the expense of this construction be defrayed
out of the balance of the Fayerweather bequest when
the same shall be received.

The two letters referred to in the foregoing resolution
are in the following words and figures, to wit:

My dear Mr Harmon,

I have just received a letter from my brother, stating
that you have a meeting of the Committee and Board of Visitors
on March 17th. The final certificate has been sent, and
you also have our bill in full.

I enclose you herewith copy of Mr Tucker's estimate for
the connecting arcades between the Academical building and
the Physics and Mechanics. This is somewhat lower than his
former estimate, for the reason that after carefully thinking
over the matter when I was last there, I determined it would
be better to lower the height of the arcade somewhat and stand
the columns on the ground, in order to make them conform entirely
with the character of the old work.

I send you also a tracing showing this.

Very truly yours,
Stanford White.
Daniel F. Harmon, Esq
Dear Sirs.

In reply to your request for figures for the connecting
arcades on the University of Virginia, will say that we will


270

construct the two arcades connecting the Academical with the
Mechanical and with the Physical buildings, for the sum of
$1250.00 each.

This includes cutting down the piers of the Arcades as
now built, cutting the stone capping to form a plinth, concrete
columns with paneled square faces on rear, and with all
woodwork painted white.

We assume that the portion over the cap of the columns
will be built up hollow to form the architrave.

Hoping to receive your order for this work, we are,

Yours very truly,
(signed) Manhattan Concrete Co.

Note - The M. C. Co. letter above is
a copy of a copy. Jones, secy.

On motion the Board adjourned sine die.

Jas D. Jones,
Secretary.
Charles P Jones
Rector.