 | Board of Visitors minutes December 10, 1913 |  |
December 10, 1913.
The Board of Visitors met at 8:15 o'clock P. M., on
above date, with the following members present:-
Rector Gordon, Dr. Drewry, Judge Norton and Messrs.
White, Craddock and Michie, also Dr. J. M. Page, acting
president,
Dr. Page stated that a request had come to the Board,
from the "University Cemetery Association" for an appropriation
to supplement the small income now received, in order
that the cemetery might be kept in better condition than
is now possible.
The matter was referred to the Executive Committee to
investigate and report.
The Rector presented to the Board a letter he had received
from Mr. Wm. H. Richie, under date of December 2nd,
stating that in his opinion the necessary work of preservation
and trimming could be done for $750 to $1,000.
The matter was referred to the Executive Committee
with power to act.
The question of holding a public meeting on
December 11th, to hear the advocates and opponents of
the coordinate College was discussed.
The following offered by Mr. Craddock was adopted:-
Resolved: That the hearing to be accorded by the
Board of Visitors, for the information of the Board, to
the advocates and opponents of the proposed Woman's Coordinate
College, be confined to the addresses to be made by those
delegated to speak for either side, and that the said
meeting be in no sense a public one.
The Rector presented to the Board the following will,
which was read, accepted, and ordered spread upon the
records:-
I, James H. Skinner of the City of Staunton, do make
this my holograph will.
I devise and bequeath all my estate, real, personal,
and mixed, to my friend Joseph A. Waddell, but upon these
trusts:
First: That my sister, Fanny Skinner, shall have and
received the income of said estate during her natural life.
Second, That after the death of said Fanny
Skinner, the income of said estate shall be applied to the
establishment and maintenance at the University of Virginia,
of as many Scholarships of Three Hundred dollars per
annum each, as such income will provide for: the same
to be filled by appointments to be made by "The Trustees
of the Protestant Episcopal Education Society in Virginia"
of white male persons who purpose to become Ministers
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States
of America, who desire to obtain a liberal education
to that end, and who are not otherwise able to obtain
such education, my suggestion being, but without
restricting the discretion of the Trustees of said Education
Society, that the sons of Ministers of said Church, all
other things being equal, should be preferred in making
appointments to such Scholarships, and in case there shall
be a vacancy in any such Scholarship, and "the Trustees
of the Protestant Episcopal Education Society in Virginia"
shall for six months after notice in writing of such
vacancy given by the Chairman of the Faculty of the
University of Virginia, fail to fill it, it may be filled
by "the Rector and Board of Visitors of the University of
Virginia."
Third: That in case any of my investments fall in,
and a reinvestment of the principal thereof shall become
necessary, or in case the said Trustee shall deem
it best to sell my real estate, or to dispose of any
securities or investments already made, I request him
by such proceeding as he may be advised to be proper,
to seek the advice and to act under the decrees and orders
of the Circuit Court of Augusta County, or other Court of
said County of competent jurisdiction.
Fourth: That the expenses of said Trust shall be
defrayed out of the income of my estate; and that the
principal thereof shall in no case be diminished, or
be subject to any charge of commissions, but in case of
a reinvestment or change of investment, or a sale of
the real estate as aforesaid, a commission shall be
allowed equivalent to that of Trustees and Commissions
of sales under the provisions of the Code of 1873,
and a commission of five (5) per cent shall be allowed
the Trustee on all collections and disbursements of the
income of my estate.
Fifth: That in case it should for any reason be held
that the aforesaid restrictions and limitations of the
power of appointment conferred on "the Trustees of the
Protestant Episcopal Society of Virginia" are invalid,
without limitations or restriction.
Sixth: I do hereby constitute and appoint the
aforesaid Joseph A. Waddell executor of this my last will,
dispensing with security from him as such, but the Commissions
hereinbefore provided for him as Trustee shall be in full
of all compensation for his services in both capacities.
Witness my signature hereunto attached this 8th day
of December 1877.
As a Codicil to my last will and testament, I provide
that so far as my personal chattels are concerned, both
such as I hold jointly with my sister, and such as I
have in my sole right, she (my sister Fanny) shall have
the free use, control and disposition of them without
being held in any manner accountable therefor; but this
provision does not apply, and must not be held applicable
to the bonds, stocks, and scrip, which I hold and own
either jointly with her or separately, but all such bonds
stocks and scrip must be held as subject exclusively to
the provisions of my will of December 8th, 1877, to which
this is a codicil. Witness my hand this 19th February
1881.
James H. Skinner.
I wish further to provide by way of Codicil to my last
will of date Dec. 8th, 1877, that if the commissions
therein allowed to him who shall execute its provisions be
not, on any account, adequate to the trouble and labor
involved, there shall be such enlargement of said Commissions
as shall seem right to the Judge of the Circuit or County
Court of Augusta County, to whom said question shall be
referred.
Witness my hand this 14th day of May 1881.
James H. Skinner.
As a third Codicil to my last will and testament
which bears date December 8th, 1877, I provide (on the
suggestion that it has not perhaps already been sufficiently
done) that the Trustee created by said will shall have
power to sell if deemed by him advisable such real estate
as I am jointly entitled to with my sister, or as is separatel
mine, but if sold during the lifetime of my sister, her
consent to sell must be first given in writing duly
acknowledged for recordation or attested by at least two
witnesses.
I further will that at the death of my sister Fanny,
or at my death, should I survive her, my said trustee shall
convey, transfer and turn over to "the Rector and Board
of Visitors of the University of Virginia" all my interests
of any part thereof, that may have been made, and all my
interests in and shares of bonds, stocks, scrip, securities,
and choses in action and in all moneys in hand which, may
have been received from previously invested funds, to be
held, used, and administered by them in the establishment
and maintenance of the Scholarships in the University
of Virginia hereinbefore created. In the exercise of his
power and discretion to sell real estate, to call in
investments, to make reinvestments, and to dispose of
securities or investments already made, my said Trustee
may, if he shall deem it best, at the expense of my estate,
seek the advice and act under the decrees and orders of the
Circuit Court of Augusta County or other Court of competent
jurisdiction, and the Commission or compensation
to my said Trustee for conveying, transferring, and turning
over my estate to "the Rector and Board of Visitors of the
University of Virginia" whenever that shall occur, I desire
shall be fixed and determined by said Circuit Court of
Augusta County.
And as in my first codicil I give to my sister absolutely
all my personal chattels,—those which are choses in
possession—I wish to exclude from this absolute gift not
only the bonds, stocks, and scrip, which are already excluded
by said codicil, but also my share in the proceeds
are awaiting investment.
I further fix the Scholarships provided for in said
will at Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars per annum, instead
of Three Hundred Dollars as named therein. I further provide
that should on any account the power of appointment to
said Scholarships which I have conferred upon "The Trustees
of the Protestant Episcopal Education Society in Virginia,"
be held invalid or impracticable of execution, which I
hope and believe will not be the case, in that event, I do
hereby confer and vest said power of appointment to said
scholarships in "the Rector and Board of Visitors of the
University of Virginia" without limitation or restriction
of any kind whatsoever.
By the words "hereinafter created" in the 21st line,
page 1st of this Codicil, I mean created by my said will
dated Dec. 8th, 1877. Witness my hand this 6th day of
August 1886.
James H. Skinner.
As an additional Codicil to my last will and testament
bearing date December 8th, 1877, I, James H. Skinner, do
will and direct that instead of making Jos. A. Waddell, sole
Trustee and executor of my estate, I do hereby appoint
said Jos. A. Waddell and Alex. F. Robertson Trustees of
and also executors of this my last will, dispensing with
security from them or either of them as trustees and
executors.
Witness my hand this 22nd day of August, 1896.
James H. Skinner.
In the Court of Hustings for the City of Staunton,
June 11th, 1898.
A writing purporting to be the last will and testament
of James H. Skinner, deceased, with four codicils thereto
was this day produced in Court by Jos. A. Waddell and
Alex. F. Robertson, the executors therein named, and there
being no subscribing witnesses thereto, Arista Hoge and
George M. Cochran, Jr., were sworn and severally deposed
that they were well acquainted with the testator's handwriting,
and verily believe that said writing, and the name
thereto subscribed, to be wholly written by the testator's
own hand.
Whereupon the said writing is ordered to be recorded
as the true last will and testament of the said James
H. Skinner, deceased.
A copy-teste,
Newton Argenbright, Clk.
A copy from original will
Teste,
(signed) Newton Argenbright, Clerk.
In connection with the foregoing will, the Rector
explained that the Administrator was anxious to turn over
the estate to the University as soon as possible, whereupon,
the following was offered by Judge Norton and
adopted:-
Resolved: That the Rector of the University of
Virginia be and he is authorized to receive and receipt
for, in behalf of the Rector and Visitors of the University,
the estate passing to said Rector and Visitors under the
will of the late Col. James H. Skinner.
The following communication from President Mitchell
of the Medical College of Virginia, was laid before the
Board of Visitors by the Rector.
Richmond, Va., Nov. 25, 1913.
Rector, University of Virginia.
Mr. Eppa Hunton, Jr., has placed before the
Executive Committee of the Medical College of Virginia,
with the Medical Department of the University of Virginia,
as adopted by your Board.
Mr. Hunton in his letter to you date November
14, 1913, explained fully his views based upon our knowledge
and experience with the situation here, which led
us to believe that it will be impossible for the Dean
of the Medical School to efficiently look after the
business interests of so large an enterprise, but expressed
willingness to omit this clause entirely and
leave it to the good judgment of your Board when it has
informed itself and action is required of it.
We cannot doubt that your Board will be willing
to leave itself free and untrammeled to provide such
business management as may by it be deemed best when the
time for action arrives, instead of committing itself
irrevocably in advance to what we do not deem wisest.
If your Board will agree to eliminate the last paragraph
of Clause 5, which is as follows:
"The executive management of the proposed school
shall, unless and until otherwise determined by
said Board of Visitors, be entrusted to a Dean
of the Medical Department of the University of
Virginia, who shall reside in Richmond, subject
to the direction of the Rector & Visitors of the
University."
the resolutions adopted by your Board will be entirely
satisfactory to the Medical College of Virginia.
Pres. Medical College of Virginia.
After a very full discussion of the foregoing communication,
the following was unanimously adopted:-
Resolved: That the Board of Visitors of the
University of Virginia feel constrained to decline the
proposition of the Board of the Medical College of
Virginia to eliminate the second paragraph of clause 5,
and to insist on the retention of the whole of said
clause as an integral part of the resolutions governing
the proposed merger, as adopted by the Board of Visitors
of the University.
The Rector thereupon laid before the Board a resolution
which had been forwarded to him by Dr. Mitchell
with regard to what should be incorporated in the enabling
act to be presented to the legislature, as follows:-
Whereas, certain resolutions have recently been
adopted by the Rector and Visitors of the University
of Virginia, setting out the terms upon which the
Medical College of Virginia shall be merged into and
become a part of the University of Virginia; and
Whereas, with one modification the said resolutions
have been approved by this Committee, and
Whereas, it is desirable that the preparation of the
Bill authorizing the proposed merger, should be begun
at once; and
Whereas, it is the desire and the wish of the Medical
College of Virginia that the Medical Department of the
University of Virginia in inaugurating the new institution
at Richmond should follow the conditions set out in the
said resolutions until they have been fully and feirly
tested, but except in the location of said institution,
shall be perfectly free and untrammeled, after giving a full
and fair test to the plan in said resolutions contained, to
act as may be for the best interests of the Medical Department
of the University of Virginia,
Therefore, Be it resolved, that the Medical College
of Virginia does not insist nor desire any of said resolutions
to be incorporated into the Enabling Act save and except
the fourth resolution, which is as follows:
"4. The University of Virginia will discontinue
the teaching of medicine at Charlottesville, except
that instruction in subjects of the first year of
the curriculum may be offered there; but the entire
the first year of the course may be taken either in
Richmond or in Charlottesville, and this provision
shall become effective as soon as the transfer from
Charlottesville to Richmond shall be completed."
Pursuant with the foregoing, the following was
adopted:
Resolved: That it is the sense of this Board, that in
the event of the acceptance by the Board of the Medical
College of Virginia of the resolutions as adopted by
the University Board, that any enabling act submitted
to the General Assembly, have incorporated in it the
whole of the resolutions as adopted by this Board.
The following was adopted:-
Resolved: That the Rector be authorized to communicate
to President S. C. Mitchell of the Medical College of
Virginia, the action of this Board in the matter of the
resolutions with regard to the merger of said Medical
College with the Medical Department of the University.
A sketch of the house proposed to be erected by the
"Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity" on Carr's Hill, together
with the plans of same, were presented for action of the
Board.
A letter was read from Dr. Alderman approving said
building and Mr. Michie, Chairman of the Executive
Committee, stated that his committee had approved the
same.
The Board passed favorably on the matter and the
Secretary was authorized to request Mr. Moon, attorney
for the University, to prepare the necessary lease.
Dr. Page announced to the Board that the University
had received from the sons of Hon. Joseph Bryan, a
splendid portrait of their father, whereupon, the following
was unanimously adopted:-
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia,
in acknowledging with grateful thanks the gift of a noble
portrait of Joseph Bryan, and Alumnus of this University,
and a former member of this Board, desire to put upon
record their appreciation both of the gift and of the
givers. Be it resolved, therefore,
1. That this University will preserve in perpetural
memory the relations of Joseph Bryan to his Alma Mater—
his great affection for her high traditions, his unswerving
loyalty to her true interests, his unforgetting generosity
toward her needs.
2. That both as Visitor upon her board of government,
and as Trustee of her endowment funds, he aided by his
to augment her prosperity.
3. That his Alma Mater cherishes with just pride the
record of his public services and his private virtues,
and counts herself happy to have numbered among her sons
a man who so perfectly united the gracious elements of the
ancient Virginian culture with the pregnant energies
of the modern time.
4. That the Board of Visitors extends to the donors
of this portrait, John Stewart, (2) Jonathan, (1) Robert Coalter,
J. St. George, and Thomas Pinckney Bryan, the assurance
of their sincere and cordial thanks.
The following request was approved,—
University of Virginia.
In accordance with our conversation,
I beg that you will request the Board to vote me one
hundred dollars, with which to construct a dark room,
which is to be placed in the basement of the Observatory.
The following action of the Committee on Entrance Building,
was approved:-
At a meeting of the Committee on Entrance Building,
there were present Messrs. Lambeth, Michie, Newcomb,
Forrest. The following resolutions were presented by
Mr. Forrest. Moved and seconded by Messrs. Michie and
Newcomb that they be adopted. Carried.
The Committee on new Entrance Building recommends
the adoption by the Board of Visitors of the following
regulations to insure the proper care and management of said
building.
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia,
in the interests of the appearance of the main entrance
to the University enact the following laws for the
management of the new Entrance Building and its surroundings:
1. The building shall at all times be kept in good
repair under the direction of such person or persons as
the Faculty Committee on Religious Exercises shall designate,
cost to be met from revenue of the building.
2. The grounds, roads and walks shall be kept in
order by the University under the direction of the Superintendent
of Grounds and Buildings.
3. No changes or alterations affecting the external
appearance of the building or its surroundings shall ever
be made except by authority of the Rector and Visitors.
4. Occupants of the building must keep the space at
the front and in the rear of their stores free from
dirt and litter. No goods or merchandise shall be displayed
outside the stores, nor shall packing cases or the
like be allowed to remain on the walks or roads.
5. No awnings or like devices will be allowed
on the building.
6. No signs or notices, whether of a permanent
or temporary nature, shall be placed anywhere on the
outside of the building, except that each merchant or
other lessee may place one or two signs on the front of
each store of such character as that placed by the
University upon the front of the Post Office, and each
merchant or other lessee may have signs neatly painted
in gilt letters upon the glass of his front doors and
windows.
7. No chairs, benches, or other seats shall be
placed in front of the stores, except such seats as have
been provided before certain of the front windows.
But this regulation does not forbid the placing of neat
tables and chairs in the arcade before the west store
room now leased as a tea-room.
8. No show windows shall be constructed in any
of the stores except according to the plan furnished by
the Architect of the building, and used for the window
built in the store leased by Mr. G. W. Olivier.
9. The Faculty Committee on Religious Exercises
shall have copies of these regulations printed and shall
place a copy in the hands of their representative who
has charge of the building, and of the Superintendent
of Grounds and Buildings, and of each lessee at the
time of renting. All leases shall be made subject to
these restrictions and regulations.
At twelve-thirty o'clock, the Board adjourned to meet
at ten o'clock, December 11th, in Madison Hall.
E. I. Carruthers,
Secretary.
Armistead C. Gordon,
Rector.
December 11th, 1913.
The Board of Visitors met on this date at 10:15
o'clock in Madison Hall to hear the advocates and opponents
of the Woman's Co-ordinate College matter, with the following
members present; Messrs. Gordon, Flood, White, Norton
Also Dr. J. M. Page, Acting President.
The following persons, either as individuals or
representatives, spoke in behalf of the establishment
at the University of a Woman's Co-ordinate College:Hon.
Rosewell Page, Mrs. B. B. Munford, Wyndham Meredith,
Mrs. Norman Randolph, Mrs. W. C. Stannard, Mrs.
Buford, Mrs. Malvern C. Patterson, Mrs. J. B. Spiers and
the Rev. W. Russell Bowie, rector of St. Paul's Church,
Richmond, Mrs. J. R. Kyle of Lynchburg, representing
the Federation of Women's Clubs, Miss M. L. Cobb of
Norfolk, representing the University Summer School, A. C.
Kountz of Newport News, vice-president of the Federation
of Labor, J. B. Clineduist, Labor Inspector, and H. T.
Colvin of Alexandria, secretary of the Federation of
Labor, D. M. Blankenship of Naruna, representing the
Farmer's Union; Miss Maria P. Duval and Miss Timberlake
of Staunton; Miss Virginia McKenney of Petersburg, representing
College Women, E. H. Russell, of the
Fredericksburg Noraml School, and Prof. W. M. Thornton
and Dr. Albert Lefevre of the University.
Letters were read from many prominent Alumni favoring
the scheme, among which were those from President Woodrow
Wilson, and Hon. Walton Moore.
Those who spoke in opposition to the woman's college
were Mr. Randolph Harrison of Lynchburg, Mr. Henry Taylor,
Jr., Hon. Eppa Hunton, Jr., and W. M. McGuire of Richmond,
Mr. Robert M. Hughes of Norfolk, and Professor Charles A.
Graves of the University of Virginia.
Letters were also read from alumni and others opposing
the scheme; among them were the following,— A. R. Hoxton,
Prin. Episcopal High School, Mr. L. M. Blackford, Jr.,
Episcopal High School; John P. McGuire, Prin. McGuire's
University School; J. Carter Walker, Prin. Woodberry Forest
School; and James Mercer Garnett, Jr., representing the Maryland
Alumni Association.
At 8:30 P.M., the Board went into executive session
at the President's office and a letter from Dr. Alderman
to the Rector and Visitors was presented, in which he strongly
advocated the establishment of the proposed college. Dr.
James M. Page presented and read a paper in advocacy of the
matter under consideration, presenting a scheme of
operation.
The Board, feeling that the matter was one of great
import, and that it should be carefully weighed, and that
time should be given for consideration of the points presented
by the speakers and representatives, considered
the following resolution was adopted:-
Resolved: That the further consideration of the
question of the establishment of a Woman's Co-ordinate
College at the University of Virginia, be postponed to Monday,
January 5th, 1914 at 12:00 M.
On motion, the Board then adjourned.
Secretary.
Rector.
| Board of Visitors minutes December 10, 1913 | |