Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-02-23
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Morning Session.


The House met at $50 on this morning
of the 22d day of February, contrary to the
custom "in such case made and provided,
since George W. departed this life, and
contrary to the patriotic prejudices and
opinions in this connection, proceeded TO
the usual "demnition grind commonly
called "legislating."
Delegate Grantham opened the session
with prayer.
The bill amending the law providing for
receiving and disbursing money from the
Treasury, and certain duties OF the Auditor
and Treasurer, was read third time and
passed.
Abolishing the Ohice OF President OF
the University.
The bill providing for the abolition OF
the office OF President of the West Nir-
ginia University, came up on its second
reading and created an animated and eN-
tended discussion.
Mr.. Ferguson moved that the bill be in
definitely postponed:
Mr. Morrow said the bill was introduced
by himself and reported back from the
committee without recommendation. lie
had no special desire regarding the bill so
far as he was personally concerned. He
had no such acquaintance with institutions
of learning as to qualify him to speak with
authority upon the merits of the bill. 1t
is worthy OF notice, however, that the
Governor Recommends
this measure in his message. From the
little knowledge he, Morrow, had OF the
affairs Of Il the sl rniysrsity he thought i
the institution for the past six years, ana
had noticed that the office OF PRESIDENT was
a continual source of disquietude. The
Al. hn IigrhaFppd a
we'll by a member Of the faculty; lie ana
not propose to urge upon the House the
massage of the bill. but he wanted 1t to
have fair hearing. He proposed TO vote
for il. He would state, however, that lie
did not believe the bill was necessary, mas
much as the Regents undoubtedly had the
power to abolish the presidency II they see
lit.
Mr.. Ferguson said that 50 far as the rec
concentrations Of the governor upon the
subject were concerned, he would say that
he took OCCASION to call upon the governor
10 ask the reasons for his recommendations
in this behalf, and that the governor had
stated to him that he did not make them
upon his own knowledge but upon the
Advice ofOthers
He did not act upon his own Judgment as
far as the merits OF the matter Is concern
ed, but in order TO bring the matter to the
attention of the legislature. Mr.. ferguson
thought, therefore, that the governor
message on the subject should not intiu-
ence the action OF the House. lie SAID that
this institution is one uf great Importance
| 10 the State. He had, a. far as he could,
kent posted about the affairs Of this insti'
tuition. When We 20 TO tinkering with 1t we
are treading on dangerous ground. We had
better not load mp with any more oblec-
| tionable measures than We have loaded
Will. He had never heard any objection
| IN the office Of president until President
Thompson was alleged to have
Attended n Political Caucus
at Washington. in which he had been mis-.
| represented. The credit and standing OF
the University was raised during the al
ministration OF President Thompson. lie,
Mr.. F., wanted to know that the change,
II made, was Tor the better. Don't let us,
| with the information We have, undertake
TO legislate on this important subject. we
are not in condition 10 un derstand wha'
we are doing. He had seen a letter written
by a Professor now in the university ol
| Virginia. who had been Professor in oui
University, warming against making this
change at this time.
| Mr Morrow said that when he referred
To the Governors message he supposed he
was referring to the opinion OF the Gov
ernor himself.
He would say that the University has
never been so prosperous as during thi:
year when it
Has Had No President.
Mr.. Ferguson asked II it has not now
President? H.,
Of
full authority of President. There ha
been no President since Mr.. Thompson re
signed.
He did not know why one member OF thu
faculty should occupy position OF as
tendency over the others. There wer'
certain executive duties TO perform which
might as well be done by some one out
side of the faculty. He had understoot
that Prof. fontaine OF the virginia 9ni
yersity had recommended that the once
be not abolished. He had great respect 10
the opinion of Mr.. Fontaine.
Mr. Worrov further said that he occupi
| ed no partisan position in the matter, bu
| ON the question OF indefinite postponenen
he would call for the ayes and nays.
Mr.. Cor said that with due respect 70 tn
arguments OF Mr. Morrow, he regarded tn
MASSAGE of such a bill as this as highly in
,udicious. He was glad TO know that MI
Morrow concurred with the Governor in n
opinion that the office Of President did no
| rest in
A Statutory Enactment.
| but was created by the Board Of Regents
He must say that the duties as aischare
| ed by the Regents have met with the ~
| proyal of the friends Of the institution Il
that neighborhood. - In
He could see no necessity for this bill
| the regents have control of the mates
| The Office of President has heretofore pee
filed by the Regents upon personal me rl
and not from political motives They nav
generally selected man who differed VII
them in.politicA
He said the university was too young a.
institution to run on its reputation. A
young enterprises must have the superTi
lon of an intelligent foreman.
Mr.. Cox reviewed the provisions OF IN
pending bill, and said that the abolition
he presidency would increase the jealou
les of the Institution. The Chairman
the Faculty would ,o,S1Iyy SGly be u
POSITION from year TO year. 4
would have no policy. practice
nearly all of the Institutions OF the coui
, tyv is 10 have q President The virgin