papers, administer oaths to witnesses and make a thorough investigation. The investigation began on the 3d of February and was continued until the 11th of March. It was developed in the course of the investigation that the charges against the management were made by three members of the college faculty whose connection with the college as professors was, by action of the trustees, terminated. These gentlemen employed ex-Governor W. M. Stone, who was the son-in-law of one of the dismissed professors, to prosecute the charges made against the management of the college. Forty-three witnesses were called before the committee and testified, among whom were all of the officials who had financial and administrative management of the business of the college from the opening of the institution up to that time.
The charges made against the management were numerous, but the following were the principal allegations: First. The funds of the college have been mismanaged and misappropriated in the erection of buildings, purchase of lands and other purposes not contemplated in the laws. Second. Losses sustained by the defalcation of S. E. Rankin late treasurer, are not likely to be made good out of his property surrendered. Third. The college is drifting away from its original intent as a school of agriculture and mechanical arts and students are unjustly treated by officers of the college.
After a thorough and rigid investigation the committee made a report to the General Assembly, of which the following is a summary.
As to the improper use of the funds belonging to the college the committee reported that all moneys of every description and from whatever source, had been accounted for by the trustees and officers controlling the same, except the loss by the late treasurer, Samuel E. Rankin, and all appropriations and receipts from whatever source had been honestly used for the benefit of the college; though in some cases money received for the rent of lands, called
