The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-03-20
Gheqmtelliqenter.

NOU uuCICu W AIOiSooOA A'''t
mont, in the Conference on Saturday,
that the members do not look as kindly
on the West Virginia University as they
used to do-as they did, for instance,
only one short year aGo, at which time
they passed a resolution commencing II
TO public favor. Now they not only de-
cline tn commend it to the public as for
mcrlv, bnt, instead Of doing so, commend
other institutions outside Of the State, on
the ground that the Church has no insti-
tuition Of her own within the State.
Perhaps under all the circumstances,
il was natural for the Conference to turn
their faces away from the University.
After what happened last year We could
hardly expect them to look very kindly
uponit, In voting down Prof. Blairs rcso-
luton they, no doubt, resented what they
consider very uncalled for interference
with the membership OF the Faculty last
year by the Board OF Regents. 1t seems
to be generally assumed by the members
oEthe Conference that this interference
was entirely inspired by partisan feelings,
and had really no higher or better mot
iycs behind it. They hold that the control
ofthe University is in the hands Of those
who are more or less hostile to the Meth.
odist Church on account Of its supposed
political affiliations, and that the changes
in its Faculty we're made in order to rid
the University Of this politico.ecclesiasti-
caleemcnt.
Feeling thus, it is not wonderful that
the Conference voted down resolution
that sought to commit the body, even
although mildly, to the continued support
of the University. There is always plenty
of human nature in any body Of men that
can be gathered together. The Board Of
Regents could hardly have expected any
thing else than just what has taken
place. At the same time, the question
rises whether it was expedient TO vote
down the resolution referred 10. At all
events, was ii expedicnt 10 recommend the
people Of the State to send their boys out
Of the State, and on the ground, too, that
the Church has no institution in West
Virginia. It had none last year, and yet
no such resolution was passed. Why
not? This is question that will be ask
ed. It is one with which the Board Of
Regents will naturally seek to de-
iend themselves. They will point to the
minutes OF the Conference this year, and
contrast them with those OF 1875, and
seek to deduce their vindication thercirom
Aud it is not impossible that this argu-
mcnt will have its weight on the minds Of
many persons, and that the Conference
will be placed in the position Of resenting
the exercise Of the rightful powers and
prcrogatiycs Of the Board OF Regents,
and thus, US it were, claiming higher
rights than the Regents in the manage
mcnt OF the University.
1t is to be remembered by everybody
that the University is one thing and its
Board Of Regents another. Tho one is
supposed to be perpetual while the other
il known to be ephemeral. The Universi-
iy is the creature Of the Statc-of the peo-
pie OF West Virginia-buti its Regency is
the mere creature OF tho Board Of Public
Works-Of a political ring, us it were,-
which ring is liable to change every four
years, just as one political party comes in
aud another goes out.
a few years ago the Regency was
wholly Republican, while to-day it is
wholly Democratic. This ought not to
be the case, and is to be dcplored as pub.
lie misfortune. II makes the corps OF in.
Structors at the University mere political
tools and vasSals, a very degrading posi-.
tion, most certainly, for men Of let
tCrs. The Board Of Regents, in the
first place, should not be politi-
clans, but men Of high education
al attainments, and, MS far as posi-
bic, chosen for their Identification with
the cause Of education. In the next place
they should be, as near as possible, divided
between the political parties Of the State,
nd only one-third Of the whole number
be liable to change every four years.
Thus We would have Board Of Regents
that would give tone to the University,
and one that would not be tempted to drag
the institution into the mire Of politics.
Tnc West Virginia University now ap-
pears before the public to great disad-
vantage. 1t seems to be bone Of conten-
tion-an object OF political and denomi-
national jealousy. As long as this is the
case, its usefulness must OF course be
seriously impaired, It is the duty OF the
Legislature at an early day to take steps
to lit it as far rs possible out Of the arena
Of politics.
LITERARY AND EDUCATIONAL ITEMS