Societies, submit a proposition made by them to secure from the Board of
Trustees the necessary amount to discharge the existing obligations of
the Societies, which proposition is made the basis of this report, and
is most heartily recommended to the favorable consideration of the
Board.
"It may be proper to state, in connection with this report, that the
committee submitted in detail the accounts with the various persons from
whom they had secured material, both by donation and purchase, and also
the correspondence with various friends of education both North and
South, all of which was most gratifying to your committee, as they
exhibited on their face the evidence of great energy, system, and tact,
which not only reflects credit on themselves, but also on the Societies
represented by the committee as well as the College itself.
"In consideration of the foregoing facts, we offer for adoption the
following resolution:
"_Resolved_, That the proper officers of the College proceed at once to
raise $5,700, and if it be necessary, they be authorized to create a
lien upon the property referred to, to secure the payment of principal
and interest, and the Financial Secretary be instructed to pass over the
amount thus raised to the Building Committee, to be used by them in
liquidating the obligations created in the erection of the hall."
Accompanying this report was the following paper:
"ASHLAND, VA., _June 27, 1872_.
"In consideration of $5,700 to be advanced by the Board of Trustees of
Randolph-Macon College, the Washington and Franklin Societies will
undertake and pledge themselves to use their best efforts to pay $1,000
annually upon the principal until the whole amount is liquidated,
interest to be paid by the Board of Trustees. It is understood and
agreed that if the Board of Trustees should find it necessary to create
a lien upon the property to raise the amount so advanced, they will not
in any way bind the furniture of the two Societies.
[Transcribers' Note: In the original text, the names of those belonging
to each society were bracketted, and "Committee F. L. S." and
"Committee, W. L. S." appeared on the right-hand side of the
page, beside their respective brackets.]
_Committee F. L. S._
(Signed)
"J. W. LAMBERT,
"F. C. WOODWARD,
"R. E. BLACKWELL,
_Committee W. L. S._
(Signed)
"CHARLES CARROLL,
"HERBERT M. HOPE,
"W. B. PAGE,
"H. C. PAULETT,
"JOHN M. BURTON,"
[Illustration: WASHINGTON HALL, Randolph-Macon College.]
[Illustration: FRANKLIN HALL, Randolph-Macon College.]
To show the appreciation of the work done by the Societies, the Board,
on motion of Rev. A. W. Wilson, adopted the following:
"_Resolved_, That the President be instructed to express in the chapel,
during the public exercises of the day, the Board's appreciation of the
energy and zeal of the Literary Societies in the erection of the Library
building, and that the Secretary furnish the Societies with a copy of
the action of the Board."
In the chapel the same day Maj. Sutherlin pledged the Board to a
subscription of $500 towards the Library Hall.
The above record in relation to this worthy and remarkable effort--one
that has found few, if any, parallels in the history of colleges--is
given at some length to show the spirit of the young men of the period
succeeding the war, and also to stimulate a like spirit in the young men
who are now filling these halls and others after them. Such an example
seems to be needed at this time to rekindle the interest in these most
worthy Societies, which is not as great as it formerly was, and as it
should be.
At this meeting Major William T. Sutherlin, of Danville, who had
manifested his interest in the College by agreeing to pay three hundred
dollars annually towards the current expenses of the College for five
years, submitted the following proposition:
"_To the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College_:
"I propose to place in your hands good eight per cent. securities to the
amount of four hundred dollars ($400), the interest to be collected by
you, and invested in a suitable medal, to be presented at each annual
commencement to _the best orator_ connected with the college who shall
contend for the same, to be decided by three competent judges who have
no official connection with the College, to be selected by yourselves,
whose decision shall be final. The fund hereby donated shall be held by
you and appropriated to the above purpose in perpetuity, and to no
other. Respectfully,
(Signed) "W. T. SUTHERLIN."
On motion of Rev. A. W. Wilson--
"_Resolved_, That the proposition be accepted, and that the thanks of
the Board be returned to Major Sutherlin for the generous donation, and
that the medal be styled the _Sutherlin Prize Medal for Oratory_."
Rev. A. G. Brown, Financial Secretary, made the following review of the
financial operations of the year:
"1. That the current expenses of this session have been promptly and
fully paid to June 1st.
"2. That means are in hand to meet obligations to July 1st.
"3. That we rely principally upon the assessments and special donations
to the College for the succeeding three months.
"4. That the assets of the College have been improved in value and in
the amount of interest they yield.
"5. That the liabilities have been materially reduced.
"6. That the financial interests of the College are freed from legal or
legislative embarrassments.
"These are gratifying results. I mention them for your information and
encouragement. They are the sign of a better day. Let us consecrate
ourselves to this noble institution, and, with the blessing of God on
our duty faithfully performed, we may expect to see it what it ought to
be in the scope of its usefulness and the development of its resources,
a strictly first-class College.
(Signed) "A. G. BROWN,
"_Financial Secretary Randolph-Macon College_."
This gratifying report, the best that had been submitted for years,
caused the Trustees to adjourn in a cheerful mood.
[Illustration: G. E. M. WALTON, _Founder of the Walton Greek Library._]
[Illustration: MAJ. W. T. SUTHERLIN, ELECTED TRUSTEE, 1860. _Founder of
the Sutherlin Prize for Oratory._]
A called meeting of the Board was held in Richmond October 13, 1872. A
letter was presented from Prof. Thomas R. Price, which was as follows:
"_Rev. James A. Duncan, President_:
"DEAR SIR,--As Professor of Greek in our College, I feel great pleasure
in informing you, and through you the Board, of the noble act of
generosity by which Mr. George E. M. Walton, of Hanover county, Va., has
planned a lasting benefit to the School of Greek.
"Mr. Walton was, as you know, the father of Mr. Andrew Minor Walton,
who, with rare learning and diligence, discharged until his death, in
September, 1871, the duties of Assistant Greek Professor in
Randolph-Macon College. In order, then, to foster in the College the
studies that his son loved so well, and at the same time to keep alive
in the College history and traditions the memory of that son, Mr. Walton
has offered to give to Randolph-Macon College the sum of one thousand
dollars to create and endow what shall be called the _Walton Greek
Library_. This donation Mr. Walton desires to see, without delay, put
into the proper legal form. His own wishes and intentions, as given to
me in conversation, are:
"1. That the money shall, in consultation between him and the agents of
the College, be securely and permanently invested.
"2. That ten dollars of the annual income shall be used to buy, in the
shape of a valuable Greek book, or other appropriate gift, as the
Faculty may decide, a prize that shall be called the _Walton Greek
Prize_, and bestowed on the student that, in the judgment of the
Faculty, has made during the session the best progress in Greek studies.
"3. That the remainder of the income arising from the investment of the
fund shall be annually expended, under such regulations as the Board and
Faculty may establish, in the purchase of Greek books, including the
texts of Greek authors, Greek lexicons, Commentaries on Greek authors,
works on Greek history, Geography, Grammar, antiquities, etc., and all
direct auxiliaries to Greek study, to form a special and distinct
collection, to be called the _Walton Greek Library_.
"4. That this Library shall be carefully guarded by the College
authorities and secure adequate protection from theft and fire.
"There is visible in this act of Mr. Walton no less wisdom than of
generosity and tenderness. The helps to the successful carrying on of
Greek study are becoming year by year more numerous and more masterly,
but, unluckily, more costly, too. To use them is indeed necessary for
every earnest student, but to buy them is oft-times to the student
impossible. To meet this necessity is the object of Mr. Walton's gift,
while his prize will serve to stimulate and reward Greek study; in all
the classes of our school the Library will, year after year, as it
widens, open to students that are more advanced the treasures of Greek
learning.
"Being sure that you will feel the same pleasure that I feel in this
wisely-devised increase to our means of education, I ask you to make Mr.
Walton's purpose known to the Board, and to have the proper measures
taken for the consummation of the gift.
"With great respect, your obedient servant,
"THOMAS R. PRICE,
"_Professor of Greek._"
The donation of Mr. Walton was accepted with thanks, and an order was
made to carry out his intentions as speedily as possible.
It may be stated here that this fund was safely invested, and the annual
proceeds, from the year of its establishment, have been applied, as
directed, in annual prizes and the purchase of books, until, at this
writing, the collection has, become imposing and very valuable. The
first prize was awarded June, 1872, to R. E. Blackwell, of Virginia.
The College year 1872-'73 was remarkable in the patronage and financial
outcome. The number of students was 234, the largest in the history of
the College up to that year. The receipts for fees amounted to $11,220;
Conference educational collections, $3,411. The excess of current
receipts over current expenses reported, for the first time in the
history of the College, went towards needed improvements of the property
and reduction of debts of other years. Available assets were reported at
$74,610; liabilities, $26,377--net assets, $48,233. This exhibit, made
by Rev. A. G. Brown, Financial Secretary, was highly gratifying to the
Board, so long accustomed to discouraging reports.
Of the 234 students, 44 were studying with a view to the ministry, and
29 sons of ministers.
The honorary degree of D. D., on recommendation of the Faculty, was
conferred on the following: Rev. John C. Wills, president of Central
College, Missouri; Rev. Alpheus W. Wilson, of the Baltimore Conference;
Rev. John D. Blackwell, of the Virginia Conference.
The degree of A. M. was conferred on Franklin C. Woodward, of Virginia.
The "Sutherlin Medal for Oratory" was awarded Franklin C. Woodward, of
Virginia.
[Illustration: FRANKLIN C. WOODWARD, A. M., D. D., _Sutherlin Medalist,
1873; President South Carolina College._]
The "Walton Greek Prize" was awarded to Robert Sharp, of Virginia.
An educational convention to devise plans to increase the Endowment and
Building funds of the College was held in Richmond, April, 1874. The
following plan was adopted:
"I. That delegates shall be appointed (by the committee under item
III.), consisting of one layman and one preacher in each district, whose
duty it shall be to present the subject to the several District
Conferences at their meetings during the summer and fall of this year,
and take up collections for this object, and that the presiding elders
be requested to arrange the exercises of their district meetings so as
to secure _one whole day_ for the interests of Randolph-Macon College.
"II. That we earnestly solicit the co-operation of the presiding elders
in this great work, and request the appointment of meetings in the
several pastoral charges, in which this cause shall be presented and
collections taken.
[Illustration: PROF. W. M. BASKERVILLE, PH. D., _Vanderbilt
University._]
"III. That a committee be appointed, who shall attend these meetings,
take up collections, etc."
(_Committee_: Rev. J. A. Duncan, D. D., Rev. A. G. Brown, and Richard
Irby, Esq.)
It was resolved that a committee be appointed to mature a plan for the
further prosecution of this work, and report to an adjourned meeting at
Ashland in June, 1874.
It was resolved that any contributor of $20,000 shall have the privilege
of naming a professorship in the College.
It does not appear on the record that any direct and decided benefit
resulted from this convention, but it kept the subject before the
people, and doubtless bore good fruit in after times.
[Illustration: JOHN T. MOORE, _Of the Virginia Conference; Sutherlin
Medalist, 1874._]
At the annual meeting, June, 1874, it was found that, by inadvertence,
the amendment to the charter approved April 9, 1874, contained a clause
which read as follows:
"[Section] 14. That the said Board of Trustees shall never be less than
twenty-four nor more than forty-four, one of whom shall be elected by
the Board president thereof; provided, also, that no member of the
Faculty or Board of Instruction in the College shall be a member of the
Board of Trustees."
This vacated the office of the president of the Board, inasmuch as Dr.
Duncan was a member of the Faculty. Steps were taken to have the above
clause stricken out by the Legislature.
[Illustration: [Portrait of Thomas Branch, inscribed "Tho. Branch", and
captioned "_Trustee 1846 President Board of Trustees 1877._"]]
To the office thus vacated Thomas Branch, Esq., of Richmond, Va., was
elected. He was the only layman ever elected to that office.
Mr. Branch had been a trustee for thirty years. He was one of the most
zealous and constant friends the College had. His donations to the
College had been frequent and liberal. He had been largely instrumental
in having the College moved to Ashland. Recognizing the faithful service
and devotion of Mr. Branch to the College, the Board thus unanimously
elected him president. At the same time Rev. Alpheus W. Wilson, of the
Baltimore Conference, was unanimously elected vice-president.
[Illustration: GEORGE MERRITT NOLLEY, A. M.]
The attendance of students for the closing year had been 235, one in
excess of the previous year's number.
In the record of this year the regular report of the President and
Faculty is not found, though doubtless one was made.
On the recommendation of the Faculty, the following degrees were
conferred:
A. M.--George Merritt Nolley, of Virginia; Robert Emory Blackwell, of
Virginia.
D. D.--Rev. C. Green Andrews, of Mississippi; Rev. William A. Harris,
President of the Wesleyan Female Institute, Staunton, Va.
On motion of Rev. J. C. Granbery, the following was adopted:
"Whereas, since the last annual meeting of the Board the venerated
Bishop John Early, for many years the president of the Board, has been
taken from us by death: therefore,
"_Resolved_, That in the death of Bishop John Early the College has lost
one of its most zealous, faithful and useful friends, and the Board of
Trustees one of its most honored and efficient members."
His term of service (1830-1874) was the longest on record.
The School of English, under Prof. Price, had shown great progress, and
had become the most popular of all in the College, evidenced by the fact
that out of 235 students, 191 took the English course.
The report of the Financial Secretary gave the following items:
Assets, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $72,496 47
Liabilities, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,538 12
Net balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50,958 35
This exhibit of the finances was particularly favorable and gratifying
when it is remembered that the country had in the past year passed
through one of the severest financial panics ever known, a panic whose
withering effects on business did not cease for many years. The College,
in common with all other enterprises requiring the use of money, felt
the effects of it, and it might be said that it felt it for nearly a
score of years.
A called meeting of the Board was held in Richmond during the session of
the Virginia Conference, November, 1874. This meeting was held to bring
the College more particularly to the attention of the Conference with a
view of enlisting its members in a hearty effort to raise $50,000, to be
used in increasing the facilities of the College, specially in buildings
and apparatus.
The action of the Trustees was laid before the Conference, and the
following action was taken thereon:
"1. That we will seek to raise within the bounds of the Virginia
Conference $50,000 for the College, to be expended in the erection of
suitable buildings under the direction of the Board.
"2. That the Joint Board of Finance apportion this amount among the
districts of the Conference.
"3. That all the preachers be solicited to do their utmost to secure the
full amounts apportioned to their respective districts."
At the annual meeting of the Board, held June, 1875, the announcement
was made of the death of two of its most useful and venerable members,
viz., D'Arcy Paul, of Petersburg, and Rev. Henry B. Cowles, of the
Virginia Conference.
It would be meet and right to give the tributes paid to these Trustees,
so worthy of them, if space allowed. The first had served most
faithfully for a period of thirty-five years, and the other
thirty-three.
The annual report of the Financial Secretary was not so satisfactory as
to current receipts, the number of students at the College having fallen
down to 215, instead of 235. There had been deficiencies in other items.
All these deficiences were caused, in the main, by the financial
condition of the country, which was so sadly affected by the panic of
1873. There were some cheering signs, however, to offset these
deficiencies. The largest donation ever made to the College up to this
time had been received the past year. This was made by Mr. James B.
Pace, of Richmond, Va., viz., $10,000 in Virginia State bonds. This was
given to build the Pace Lecture Hall, a building so much needed, and
which is now, and will be for years to come, a monument to the liberal
donor.
[Illustration: JAMES B. PACE, _Trustee, and Founder of Pace Hall._]
[Illustration: RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE, 1880 to 1886.]
[Illustration: PACE HALL.]
Another donation of $5,000 was made by the old and fast friend of the
College, Thomas Branch, president of the Board; by others,
$808.50--total, $15,808.50.
The financial statement for this year is given in the comparative
statement furnished by the Financial Secretary in his annual report:
Assets. Liabilities. Balance.
1872, . . $58,729 65 $23,216 49 $35,513 16
1873, . . 74.611 13 26,377 14 48,233 99
1874, . . 72,496 47 31,538 12 50,958 35
1875, . . .91,660 78 20,974 36 70,686 42
Increase, 99-1/4 per cent.
The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on John W. Redd, of Virginia.
Rev. A. G. Brown reported the building by him as a private enterprise of
the hotel near the southwest corner of the campus. This was a
much-needed improvement.
Notwithstanding the increase in assets during the year,
the current receipts were not sufficient to meet current expenses.
At this meeting Rev. John C. Granbery, who had served the Board
faithfully as secretary since 1868, resigned the position, on account of
his having accepted a professorship at the Vanderbilt University. He
also resigned his place as Trustee of the College.
Rev. Paul Whitehead was elected to succeed him as trustee and secretary,
and he has been secretary of the Board from that meeting to the present
time (1898).
[Illustration: JOHN B. WARDLAW, _Of Georgia; Sutherlin Medalist, 1874._]
At a called meeting of the Board in October, 1875, President Duncan
informed the Board that the condition of his health was such that he
felt unable to do the heavy work devolved on him. An arrangement was
therefore made to lighten his duties, and he was requested to travel as
much as practicable in the interest of the College.
[Illustration: JOHN W. REDD, A. M., 1875. _Prof. Centre College, Ky._]
At an adjourned meeting of the Board, held November, 1875, Rev. A. G.
Brown, Financial Secretary, tendered his resignation. A portion of his
letter is here given, partly as history, and in justice to him:
"That my labors have not been more efficient, I deeply regret, yet in
what has been accomplished I am not without cause for gratitude to God,
to whose merciful kindness I am infinitely indebted.
[Illustration: REV. PAUL WHITEHEAD, D. D., _Secretary Board of Trustees,
1875-'98._]
"The assets of the College have been increased in value about one
hundred per cent.; nearly fifteen thousand dollars of its debt has been
paid; valuable additions and improvements have been made to the grounds
and buildings; the State stock owned by the College has been materially
increased in value; the annual deficit on account of current expenses,
ranging from twenty-five hundred to three thousand dollars a year, has
been provided for; all claims for interest on College debts, amounting
to about eighteen hundred dollars per annum, have been promptly paid;
the salaries of the professors and employees have been paid in full to
October 1st, as well as all bills on current account. In no instance has
the credit of the College been allowed to suffer. Its business has been
systematized so as to be easily understood. The patronage of the College
has been largely increased; its interests have been faithfully
represented in the patronizing Conferences.... I have never hesitated to
use my personal means and influence in financial circles whenever
exigencies required my so doing. Meanwhile the country has passed
through a period of unprecedented financial depression. The wisest
schemes have failed; the ample fortunes of wealthy citizens and
corporations have been swept away; the active industries of the country
have been fearfully impaired, and the shrinkage in the marketable value
of property of all descriptions has scarcely been less than one-third.
This sad condition of business, without a parallel in the history of
this country, has seriously hindered all our efforts in behalf of the
College. I have done what I could. That I have not accomplished more has
not resulted from any lack of love or zeal for the College, but is
mainly referable to the mysterious adversity which has come upon us.
"In resigning my office as Financial Secretary, I do not abate one jot
or tittle of my interest in the College. No! I love the College as I
love the church; and fidelity to the church enjoins upon me and upon all
fidelity to the interests of this institution. Be assured of my hearty
prayers and co-operation in the future as in the past. As a member of
this Board, I shall stand shoulder to shoulder with you to make
Randolph-Macon a permanent and ever-increasing blessing to church and
state."
The following resolution, offered by Rev. Paul Whitehead, was then
adopted:
"_Resolved_, That the resignation of Rev. A. G. Brown as Financial
Secretary be accepted, to take effect December 1, 1875, and that the
Board hereby express their appreciation of the fidelity, ability, and
integrity with which he has discharged the duties of his office."
This resolution was not any too flattering. It may be truly said that it
is doubtful whether any man in the Conference could have brought the
College through the trying period of the panic as well as the late
Financial Secretary.
It was "_Resolved_, That the presiding bishop be requested to appoint at
the ensuing Virginia Conference an agent for the College."
At an adjourned meeting held at Danville, November, 1875, the Board
abolished the office of Financial Secretary.
William Willis, Jr., of Richmond, was appointed Treasurer, and Prof.
William A. Shepard, Proctor.
At the request of the Board, the Bishop appointed Rev. Thomas A. Ware,
agent.