Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-03-07
Communicated
MoRGANTowN, Feb. %.


of the mountains, and have there
fore taken the liberty to trouble
you with the following hasty and
imperfect account Of the present
condition of the University: The
University affords sufficient facil-
ties to our Young men desiring an
education in any of the usual lines
of study, SO they need not go out
side Of the state to secure educa-
tional advantages. Considering
her brief career and the limited
means at her command, she has
made wonderful progress She
has laid her foundation broad and
deep. and to-day" she need not
fear comparison with many older
and Weather institutions On your
side Of the mountains. Neither
political prejud ce nor sectarian
bias is allowed any influence with
in its walls. Since the state has
no large system Of intermediate
schools, which may act as feeders
for the University. such as are
found in Virginia, the institution
is in need of all the encouragement
and support which the people of
the State car give her, by causing
their children to look forward TO
finishing their education within
her walls. That she is deserving
of support the following statement
will show: Owing to the previous
lack of good grammar schools, the
University has been compelled to
establish a preparatory Depart
ment," in which less advanced pu-
pills may prepare to enter the coli
lege classes. A full corps Of eX-
cellent teachers have this in
charge, and by the thoroughness
of their work aid in no small de-
gree the progress of the pupil up
ward In the University proper
instruction is given in five differ
ent departments. These are:
Literary" Scientific" "Engin-
eering. ," Agricultural" and mil
itary." Each of these has full
corps of professors. The Litter
erary Department" in extent and
thoroughness, rivals that of any
institution.
The Scientific" is provided
with apparatus, a cabinet of min
erals, and a museum, to illustrate
all the subjects taught under this
head. Provision is also made for
thorough instruction in Agricul-
ture and Engineering. Thegrant-
ing of cadetships in the Military
Department, provides for the as
sistance of such young men as may
be deficient in means. The
Military Department is fur
nished with fine compile
ment of small arms, artillery,
mortars and munitions to illus
trate the science of war; all under
the supervision and instruction of
an accomplished officer of the ar
my. This department while it pro-
vides one of the best exercises
that can be produced also makes
it's students thoroughly acquainted
with Military Tactics. Morgan
town the seat of the University is
about as large AS Shepherdstown
lin Jefferson County w. Va tits
situated on the Monongahela riv-
Grand surrounded by magnificent
scenery. The University is sit
uated on an eminence in the
Northern part of the town and
overlooks it with imposing
grandeur; thus making Morgan
town one of the most beautiful
places in the State. The Univers-
ity is progressing rapidly in the
way of scholars, good work, and
reputation. We are now near the
close of the Spring term.
All of the students work faithfully
and diligently and seem to realize
their duty. Though we have some
students from the adjoining States
the majority of them are from
this State. They seem to feel that
their State needs them. West
Virginia Messrs. Editors, although
she is making.an attempt in the
way of her free school system, is
far behind some of her sister states
as regards educational enterprise.
1t seems to me that your portion
Of the State does not take suffi-
cient interest i'm their University,
and especially Berkeley County.
A county of her wealth .and popu-
lation ought to.be represented by
not less. than twenty-five students
at her University. The question
has frequently been asked me, why
there's not more students here
from Berkeley. / can only re-
spond in this way, that those men
who are able to send their sons TO
school and give them a good
classical education, keep them