The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-09-21
Address 10 the People of The stale on
Behalf OF the University of West
Virginia.

Behalf of the University oil "cHi
Virginia.
To tie People Of Vest Virginia;
The State of West Virginia, aided by
the Government of the United States,
has established University for the lib
eral education Of her sons, and to car
~ out the object of its establishment the
Legislature has authorized and required
disappointment of "Board OF Regents,
who are charged with the management
and control Of the same. In the year
1878 the present Board of Regents were
appointed and entered upon the discharge
ot their duties The board were glad To
witness the progress the Univerity had
already made but regretted that it had
assumed the character and pecuhartIes
of a local rather then that of state
institution. The causes which led 10
tins lucaliZation we will rot now discuss,
1t is enough to say that this, as well as
other causes were seriously hindering
the prosperity OF the University and de-
priving it Of the patronage OF II large
portian Of the people of the State. Inc
board felt the duty resting upon them
to correct this evil Not desiring to
afford even an opportunity to evil dis
posed persons to lnjure the
University by induging in
false criticisms and unjust denuncia
ton of its government, the board resell
we'd not to make such changes in the
faculty o! the Univcrity as the cmergen-
cies of the case seemed to require, but
to cure the evil if possible in another
manner. They accordingly released the
President of the Faculty from all duties
as professor and directed him to visit
all parts of the State present the in
tercsts aud advantages Of the UNIVERSE
"; d.SabU>" the minds of those VINO
might be prcjudiced against 1t, and enlist
the sympathy and cooperation and pat
ronuge of the people throughout the
State. The President was engaged i'll
this work during the collegiate year of
1871 at the expense of the State; but
the immediate results not justifying the
board IN Iursu ng this course, the
President was directed to resume his
duties in the University, with the hope
that the institution would reap some
substantial benefits from his laoors in
presenting 1t to the pubic; but in this the
board were also disappointed
The course Of study prescribed IN the
University being most thorough and the
facilities afforded fora liberal education
beng surpassed by but few, if any, in
stitutions of learning IN the country,
the Board of Regents cannot see why
Wet Virginia University should not
assumed leading position as an educa-
tioral Institution. In endcavoring to
bring it to this position, and after thor
cugh investigation and trial, the board
were brought to the conclusion that the
best interests of the University demanded
change in the faculty. Not rcccGnZ-
inc the claim to lii" estate IN pro-
res>urs char, the board proceeded to
max" such changes ~ I'm their Judgment
would best promote the interests OF the
whole people Of the State without regard
to the political or religious faith Of the
members of the faculty, either Old or
new. In considering the qualifications
OF an occupant of, or an applicant for
position in the faculty, the board did
not inquire into his political procliviucs
or religious faith. Whether our prcde.
crssorS have done 50 are not we will
no; now discuss. We believe that we
have secured men Of first class talents
devoted to their profession, and who will
reflect credit upon tie University
and honor upon the STATE.
The onic, Of Prc-ilcnt i still
vacagt, bU. tuo board hope, shortly. TO
secure the services OF prc>i lent who
will b, MI tnat the friends of the
in,,i,ut on c,ull with In the mean
t.mcthc duties of the Executive have
been duvoiycd on the Vice President, DR..
Lot. The loari viii ende, vor faithful
!, to discharge its duty bu,h to the
Univcrsj ana tie people Of the state
regardless ofthc ca.umies and bitter de-
nurcia,i.rs That have been heapod upon
them by those vino wouldrai, or r"aa
the University.
We earnestly commend 10 You the
West Virginia University, gow o'cn
ias,it,,t5ou, as aloriing the means and
rpor;unitl,s fora thorough education,
surpassed 10y no other available lnslItu-
ton and rs worthy Of your confidence
and support.
On urhalf Of the Board of Regents
Of West Virginia University.
- y. JOHNSON.
II. ). WALKER.