[Illustration: CHARLES MORRIS, M. A., Professor of Greek and Latin, 1876-1882.]
The scale of salaries was changed. The salary of the President was fixed at $2,000: of professors, $1,600. Dr. T. H. Bagwell was elected College physician, in place of Dr. H. M. Houston, resigned.
In parting with Prof. Price, the Board expressed for him the kindest and highest appreciation of his long and distinguished services. Complimentary resolutions were also adopted in regard to Prof. Harrison.
As a part of a great educational advance, the following extract is given from Professor Price's letter of resignation:
"You have used me to do one piece of work that was so bold, and timely, and wise as to draw the attention of educated men throughout America to our College, and to win for your system of education the hearty applause of all that love the culture of our young men.
"In establishing the chair of English you have taken a bold step and wise innovation. You have pushed the whole system of Virginia education distinctly forward, and you have given to your system of collegiate education a firm basis in the needs of our people. I have felt the sweetest joy of my life to have been permitted to help in this great work. I have seen the School of English, from session to session, bear richer fruits in the development of our whole student class and in the growing power of the College over the educated opinion of the State. I beseech you now, in parting from you, to take the chair of English under your fostering care, not only to uphold it, but to develop and expand it as the characteristic and special glory of the College, and to bring it to pass that every alumnus of Randolph-Macon College shall be, to his own benefit and to your honor, as soundly and correctly educated as man ought to be in the knowledge and use of his mother tongue."
At this meeting Dr. W. W. Bennett, chairman of the Building Committee, announced to the Board the completion of the Pace Lecture building, at a cost of about $11,000.
At the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, held June, 1877, the reports made by the President and Treasurer showed great embarrassment in financial matters, which, as a matter of course, affected the prompt payment of salaries to the members of the Faculty.
The patronage for the year was reported to be 132.
[Illustration: PROF. W. A. FRANTZ, A. M., Prof. English, Central
College, Missouri.]