The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-11-11

y
readers to see brief notices of public men.
who have gone from the State, and distin-
guished themselves elsewhere. 1t will be an
honor to our College, and an encouragement
to its professors and officers, to give OCCASION
ally in your columns some brief account OF
such men,
spent few days recently at Pittsburg,
Penn, and was the guest of gentleman who
is trustee of the Western University of
pennsylvania. located at Pittsburg had all
thenlore interest to make inquiries respect
ing this institution, from the fact that it is
presided over now by George Wood, L. L. D..
from Yarmouth, in this State. President
Wood was classmate of mire, and gradual
ed at Bowdoin College with honor, in the
class of'37 He won for himself a reputation
while Principal of Yarmouth Academy.
DR.. Wood was elected President of the Uni
versty over which he presides about ten years
ago. Ispeak of this institution Low, to show
bis success in its management, and how other
institutions, that have run down, or lost char
acter from msmanagoment may take courage
from the singular success of Mr.. Wood in
Pennsylvania.
The University was literally endowed by
the State, when it was established, fifty years
ago. 1t did good service in the cause of edu
cation, annually sending forth many for differ
ent professions and honorable pursuits. 1t
numbers some of the most distinguished men
in the country among its early graduates.
But the funds were neglected, Or lost through
bad management. A large and commodous
build 'ng with cabinet, library and apparatus
was destroyed by the great fire, which laid
half the city in ruins in 1916 A more elegant
edifice was erected, but was soon burned to
| ashes. The trustees were disheartened, and
no effort to rebuild was made for several
years, when the present large edifice was
erected in the centre of the city. A new fac
| ulty elected. studies were commenced but the
University did not prosper, and the students
! were few. There were no regular college
classes, and no course of studies was adhered
to. In 1858 DR.. McLaren, the President lar
old school Presbyterian resigned his place.
Then followed a sectarian battle; different
schools of Presbyterians and Episcopaians
pre-; sed their claims for the control of the in
stitution.
The trustees wisely ignored these claims,
and directed their glass in distant view, and
elected Congregationalist, of our own State,
George Woods, L. L. D. Mr.. Woods accepted
the appointment, and took up his residence
in Pittsburg. He was then in his meridian.
He had earned a reputation as a skinful edu-
Gator. He was modest in appearance, finely
formed, a little below medium height, with a
classic head and finish of person. He had
never aspired to notoriety in public, was not
brilliant as speaker, nor ambitious Of fame
as writer. His power lay in tboroughness
OF thought, a calm self-control, skill in man
a9ement, and a mastery perseverance, He
stepped cautiously but surely; his deeds were
unostentatious but tel ing. With these quail
ties he was sure OF success in any position
where he would trust himself He was inaug-
urated ten years ago, and found The institu-
ton with only name to live. There are
now twelve professors occupying well endow-
ed chairs; the rumber of students is large
N"N Noi'S'soieiy luSiC CASING. 1Su Years ago,
the equation Of the University was low;
prejudice against it was strong. There was
no faith that even twenty thousand dollars
could be raised for it. 1be press gave the
cause OF education no support. Articles on
this subject now sought were then refused.
1T would be casting pearls before swine,"
they said, in shutting their columns, in those
years. ts,i2 -i@
Ten years ago the College property, all
told, was not worth $4,000. 1t is now worth
S2o0,OOO A subscription for another 800 600
is nearly full. They nave good observatory
and thirteen inch telescope, with fine Ii
brary and cabinet, with complete apparatus.
The college classes are every year increasing
in numbers. There is Scientific Depart-
ment, aud the trustees are about to open a
Law Department, and action is taken to Sc
cure Medical Department. There is also
large Preparatory Department.. and | see bSy
catalogue just sent me, that the aggregate of
students in the diGsrenG departments is 240.
The Trustees regard the enterprise as a sue
cess. conversed with several of Them andt
they unhesitatinoly ascii bed the success to
the wisdom and persistency of President
Wood 1t may not be out of place here to
state that the most prominent preacher in
Pittsburg is also a Maine man, and a Bow
dom graduate, | think on a salary of S. 900.
| refer TO the Rev. T. A. Noble, native of
Oxford, in Oxford county. Reference was
made to him and his fine management of the
meeting of the American Board of Pitts
burg, in your paper few weeks since. He is
President Woods pastor.
And if you will give me room, will say,
that my host, Hon. William Shaw, is one of
the leading men in Western PENNSYLVANIA,
and is the prince of givers. His donations
amount probably to 100000 year, and his
example and influence are worth more than
his money. 1t has been part of the success
OF M. Wood in his management of the Uni
versity, to have brought such men to his |
Board and aid.
Il write this, Mr.. Editor, partly to rebuke |
discouragemenJ or remissness in the MANAGE |
ment OF our institutions; and as an Indictment |
to energy, and perseverance in the work of |
building up these institutions. 1 write this,
too, as dn encouragement to the young men to
10 well, and make the most of themselves and |
their opportunities. Ny friend, DR. Wood, could |
easily have lived and died in obscurity. His
progress and achievements have not been
with trumpets or with observation. His mod |
esty was equal to his industry in college and
But labopand purpose are in
Vincibe. 1t is worth while to live if it be
Tor great and good ends. WV.
The News.