Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-19
ATHENS OF WEST VIRGINIA.
Life In an Interior TOwn-Railroad
Tslk-UniYersity NOtes-ComIng Com
meneemsnt.
NpecidI COTTeSD0HdeRce OF the Regt0er.

Life In an Interior TOwn-Railroad
Talk-UniYersity Notes-ComInx Conn
meneemsnt.
Special Correspondence Of TIE Register.
MORGANTOwN, May l7.-During
long, wet, open winter, with its almost
impossible roads, just such one as we
have witnessed, and which has lnger-
cd so long in the lap of spring, the
Athens of West Virginia is compelled to
undergo almost complete seclusion. No
one Yenturers to go away, no one
Attempts To visit her, unless forced to do
so though business necessities, or the
strongest prOmptings oflOve and friend
ship. And much against her will tooc
for We Athenians, resemble our re-
nOwned ancestors in this il nothing else,
that We are exceedingly fond of having
strangers come to see us, although We
can offer them no further inducements
To visit us or abide with us than our
philosophical and literary tysteS, Qnd
general perverSenesS fOral material i'm
prOvements. With the return Ofspring's
gentle breezes, the sleeping Athens is
putting forth signs of renewed life. The
slowly hardening roads have brought the
inevitable drummer and he has said
something about q railroad to Morgan
town, A rise in the MOnOngahela occa-
SiOnally brings a coal man, or railroad
man from Pittsburgh, and they have
ventured to say something to us literary
folks on the same subject. Our unusu-
ally long seclusiOn, has disposed us to
reflection and to listen to them and to
think favorably of railroad.
Well, we are going to make the effort.
On the 10th Of June, we will determine
by vote of the county whether the
county will subscribe 10000 dollars
toyarTithiS much needed improvement.
May heaven favor. We have been
close corporation too long. Against
this enterprise, however the bour6onS
of all parties and creeds are raising
their Undiscovered" arms, crying
"injuStice,' bankruptcy" mortgage"
&c. The truth is, it is very doubtful
whether the subscription will carry. The
failure TO make even general loca-
ton Of the route will produce almost as
mnch antagOnism as if the route had
been definitely located between the two
sides of the MOnOngahela. This will
be an important election. Harrison
and Mason Counties, will look on with
great interest. If this, our last hope OF
opening up our large mineral resources
and giving the business thrift of the 18th
century "A chance To come in with It's
capital, fails, MOaOngalia must
Weld 10 the inevitable; must see her
most promising young men, when just
ready to serve her, go away; must see
millions of dollars sleeping in the iron
and coal under her hills, and yet forever
Knocked with the railroad that is to
come but never does come. | suppose
she must bide her time, but from
the bottom of my heart We pity her.
Having begun this letter
for the purpose of giving
some University notes, we beg pardon
for so great a DEPRESSION.
The University, on account OF the
beauty other grounds and the surround
ing land scape is, and must ever con-
tinue to be the crOwning beauty anu
ornament of the State.
The present Senior class, passed thor
final examinations the last week IN
April, and party of five members OF
the class, headed by Prof. White, are
spending their vacation in geological
exclusion in the Kanawha valley.
This class, nine in number, Is fair
The usual Junior exhibition
took place May the 9Th, attracting, how
ever, little more than usual attention,
owing to the fact the performance had
thoroughly advertised, by posting on
the gates and doors of the professors
residence on the doors and walls of the
University, and at various conspicuous
places in town, bogus programmes, con-
tanning rather vulgar, and otherwise
damaging reflections on Prof Purintoh,
now acting President ofthe University.
The programme, consisting OF twelve
orations, embraced quite variety OF
subjects, such as Optimism, Roscoe
Co1kling, and the Solid South. The
last named subject elected some crltl-
cism from the audience. This Is the
class of spelling revolt" fame.
The latest catalogue OF the
University is before us, and
in looking over the enroll
nent of students, embracing as 1t does
representatives from thirty counties OF
our State, and five other States and
showing a respectable increase over the
preceding year, We positively believe
The University has prosperous future
before it. The majority of our State
Universities must be essentially state
institutions. We have no hesitation IN
asserting this of the West Virginia
University. Hence We may expect 1t,
| while contributing its share toward the
prosperity OF the State, at the same time
| TO rise or fall as the State rises or falls.
! Since the close of the panic and the re-
| vival of business generally, the number
| ofstudents has been gradually increas-
| ing, the present arshowing the largest
attendance, numbering la, that the
| institution has yet had.
As commencement draws on apace,
! all arrangements are being made for q
| pleasant time. Quite number OF vlSi-
| tors are expected from various parts Oh
| the State.
1.-Two lectures Of the regular lecture
course will be delivered during COM
mencement week. The Grea Bes-
tcTl Band of Pittsburg viii furnish mus
fc for the occasion. Truly, commence
ment bids fair to be success.
We had intended to say something
about the needs ofth University In tins
article, but we will defer for future let
ter part of what We wished to say, -,
The wants of the University, indeed
are many, but one Of its most urgent
needs is head, bona tide president,
which, we hope will be the pleasure OF
the Board of Regents at their next
meeting to give US.
We have a number of men whose
style, stamp of mind and general
make Hp of character qualify them to fill
with credit to themselves and the State
this important position. The West
Virginia University cannot be run on
the plan of the Virginia University; We
must have President, and the sooner
the better. VAN.