The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-01-18

number of students on the rolls OF the
Faculty; in the special enlargement OF
the higher classes; in the increasing
facilities in the way of apparatus,
library, cabinets, and in the whole tone
and life OF the institution" A school
that seeks to rank among the first IN
letters and science is not the growth OF
q year or of decade. In its struggles
and efforts it is most sensitive to ad-
verse influences it demands forbearance
towards wants aud deficiencies that eau
not at once be supplied, and claims a
generous appreciation OF whatever is
excellent in it. 1t is a cause of gratula.
ton that our University has escaped
the ill-starred fate of many similar in
situations, and that it is gradually WIN
ming its way into public favor.
The finances OF the University are
not in a very satisfactory condition.
There is debt of $3.50, incurred more
than a year ago on account OF construct
ing the new building, and also a deficit
in current expenses, the amount OF
which does not clearly appear; debts
heretofore contracted have been paid of,
and thus the vicious practice OF antici-
pating the resources Of succeeding years
has grown up, and the effect is a debt
left outstanding at the close OF each
year. There is but one safe rule In
public as well as private affairs, and
that is to keep expenditures within the
limits Of annual income.
The report of the Board OF Regents
does not cover the fiscal year, but ex-
tends only to the 18th day Of June last
Since that time, and within the fiscal
year, the Auditor has paid Sl0,OOO-the
amount appropriated for endoBmentpur-
poses-and also Sl250-the residue OF
the appropriation for current expenses
I recommend that you provide the
means to meet the estimated deficiency
for current expenses, and also to pay OF
the Indebtedness for construction, for
which some of the Regents have made
themselves individually liable; if you
should be OF the opinion that the con-
dition of the Treasury will permit, it
may be as well to appropriate an
amount sufficient to pay off all this
Indebtedness. Even if our resources
were ample, I conceive it would not be
good policy to grant the request OF the
Board for an additional appropriation
for permanent endowment. This is
nothing more than the imposition Of
an extraordinary burden upon the
present generation, in order to relieve
our successors for all time to come.
The University is public institution,
and there can be no good reason given
why its future wants should now be
provided for, that would not apply to
the Hospital for the Insane, or the
Deaf, Dumb and Blind School. The
legitimate effect of this policy would
be to build up a corporation indepen-
dent Of the control of the Legislature
an end not to be desired,
The State Armory.
By law it is made the duty Of the
Governor to provide suitable place for
the storage of arms belonging to the
State. For the want Of an approprla.
ton for this purpose this law could not
be executed. | invite your special
attention to the recommendation of the
Board OF Regents for an armory or
arsenal. The corps of cadets, under
the very efficient officer detailed by the
War Department, can here guard and
take care Of the public arms with little
expense to the State.
The InstitutiOn for the Deaf. Dumb
| and Blind
was established under an act passed
March 3, 1870. The school was opened
the succeeding fall in commodious
building-the gift Of citizens OF Romney
to the State. An appropriation Of
SIS 900 was made last winter for build.
ing purposes. Handsome additions
have been made to the original build
ing, but the appropriation was not quite
sufficient to finish the work. The
Board, however, very properly limited
their expenditures to the amount ap.
propriated.
The Board OF Regents report "the
State charity in very satisfactory con-
dition." They ask for appropriations
amounting in the aggregate to 81 900
for the purpose OF completing the
building erecting shops building laun-
dry. bakery, &c, and purchasing the
additional furniture required. As
matter Of economy it is worthy OF your
consideration whether you will now
provide the means for finishing and
furnishing thoroughly all the buildings
that will be needed for some years for
this institution, or whether you will
remit portion OF this expense to your
successors. Humanity and good policy
alike demand that the pupils in this
institution be instructed in some Of the
useful arts, so that when discharged
they may be able to maintain them
selves, instead OF being a charge upon
their friends, or, possibly, the public.
The report OF the Board OF Regents,
which will be placed in your hands,
exhibits their financial transactions
during the past year. This institution
has been Judlciously and economically
managed, and | commend it to your
fostering care.
The State Militia.
The report OF the Adjutant General
calls attention TO the unorganized con-
dition ofthe militia, and also TO the
acts OF Congress bearing upon this sub
ject. The militia law Of this State has
never been put into operation. The
assessors are charged with the duty OF
enrolling the militia, and they have, in
many instances. neglected il because no
appropriations have been made to pay
them. Some young men OF Wheeling,
actuated by patriotic impulses, have en-
rolled themselves into volunteer COM
panies and elected their officers, who