The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-04-26
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY.
Editors OF the Register.

Editors OF the Register.
see something is said in your city
papers relating TO the school interests OF
Vest Virginia, and designed to give no.
toriety to the West Virginia University.
TO this no one objects, provided facts are
stated properly, and in the right spirit.
The institution now has about 70 or Is
plpils all told, of whom it is presumed
two-thirds belong properly to some high
or normal school, or other preparatory
institution and count in giving college
pr per character and strength, shout as
green trees in the forest do, as seasoned
lumber in well constructed house.
That school and Its new President, as
things now are, have vast growth to
make to fill the status of the school even
rs it was under DR.. Martin. What II
needs IL, as is evident TO every lntelli-
gent observer, men Of well known
scholastic sttsinments and strong capaci,
ties as educators To- control its work, men
whose superior power comes out IN
the class room in such .orm
rs to command the confidence end ad,
miration OF students. With men OF such
well-known and established regulations
the college will need no drummer" in
Its behalf going over the State to make
speeches-the silliest way on earth to
build up a college or to convince the pub
lie OF its educational merits. 1t is the
solid scholarship, and well earned lit
erary reputation OF the faculties of Yale
Harvard, Amherst, Ann-Arbor ana the
Virginia University that make these
schools institutions OF crest popularity
and ..tional influence; and il must be 81
with our own University If it ever rises
above the rank OF mere academy.
should not thus have alluded to the
University, but from very iniud CiOus
remark recent y made before the students
OF the UnIVersIIy by its venerable Vice,
President in announcing the subject toI
the regents prize essay. The subject is
what place should the Free schools
the Normal schools and the University
occupy, in we'll balanced system OF ed
NC .tion?'
In stating the question, the Vice Pres
ident, as l am Informed, remarked tba,
the Normal schools instead OF being feed
ers OF the University were its rivals
This statement needs correction, and
should nave been, "that the University,
instead OF holding itself in its Legitimate
eiucational sphere, has, by recrrt special
legislation Oh the part Of the Board, put
itself in competition with the high
s;nools, academies and Normal schools OF
the state" This statement wuui have
been correct, and would goa lon: WAYS
in explanation of its waning Influence as
a college. II has established - rreesra.
tory school, for high school scholars
This, perhaps, would be admissible, ii
kept within lis legitimate sphere rs u
classical school, preparatory to admission
TO the cole ;e classes. But going still
further beneath the dignity OF college
its Board has organized, very injudiclous.
Is and in direct conflict with the Norma
schools Of the state, a normal department
and placed n teacher at its head "a de.
partment which has no legal power tc
exercise the functions of State Norma
school. After all these proceedings on
the part of the Regents and the institu.
ton, now, forsooth, thu West Virgins
University, through its Vice President
complains that the Normal schools are
its rivals. This is fair statement of the
case, and the public can easily decide
who has created an antsgonism between
these schools, if any exists. Let the
University either change its name, or oc
cupy its proper rank AS an educations
institution in the State, and let its chic
officers rise in tone and legislation to the
dignity OF college, and not put them
selves in competition with Normal and
high schools whose success they car
neither control nor destroy, and l au
sure all will cheerlu!ly lend the Univer
sity their support. OBSERVER.