[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—