Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-08-04
THAT "BorrOM FACT"
Tn ia Eiitoy of Tie Reqster.

10 ee Edtt0r QJ TIC hSgstT.
ain your editorial article OF the 3lst
nit. on HBottom Facts" relating to the
University, there has nothing been said
more to the point than your remarks
about the neglect Of making some
speeisl effort to acqusint the people and
the young men Of the State with the
merits and claims of that institution.
This is indeed "bottom fact" or de-
feet in policy. AS teacher OF one OF
the public schools, know, and every
teacher knows, that our young men a~e
being "drummed" out of the State by
other colleges, and no influence Is
brought TO bear from the University
upon either the young men or the
teachers to change this. Neither the
Young men nor many of the teachers
know or hear much about the Uni
yersity."
TEACHER.
Substantially the same statements as
are contained in the above extract have
come to US from q number of the teach
ers of our public schools.
Our common schools are just begin
ming to furnish a large number of
young men every year who are am
bltious for q collegiate education. The
original establishment Of the Uni
verslty was in anticipation of this
fact. 1t was taken for granted
that when the common school system
had fairly developed and done its work,
the demand for q higher education
would increase, and home University
was, We say, in anticipation of that de-
mand, and in compliance with the COM
mendable desire of the people Of the
State that our young men should be ed
ucated at home rather than abroad.
The University Of the State was de-
signed to be, and should be recognized
as essential q part of our educational
system as any one of the different de-
partments of the common schools. 1t
is q shame and a serious injury to the
State that her young men should go
from our common schools to other
States to complete their education
while the opportunities afforded at the
State University are far superior to the
advantages offered by the most of these
institutions outside of the State.
The number of young men in the
State who are about to enter college Is
surprisingly large. There has never
been half so many in any year Of the
history of the State, perhaps, as this
year. One teacher informs us that there
are five in his school, another that he
has seven inquiring about a college,
another that there are fourth his school
about to enter college, and so on. Some
of these young men are not right GER
tain that there is State University,
having only casually heard it mention
ed. None of them know anything
about its merits; bat as rule, all of
them have their pockets full Of cata-
logues and circulars from colleges out
side the State.
Ii is u moderate estimate to say that
there will be POO young men enter COL
lege from this State with the beginning
of the next school year. Not less than
., perhaps, will go out Of this city. II
is only the most reasonable assumption
to say that fOur.fiiths Of these young
men would go to their own University
if they had an opportunity of compar-
ing its merits with those of other col
leges; if they had some data upon which
TO make comparison of the cost, the
OPPORTUNITIES and advantages which
the State University presents; if there
was some one to say word and to give
them reliable information regarding
their own institution.
reputation is only forming. The time
will com" when it can afford 10 rest its
claims for patronage solely on its merits.
But that lime is not now. 1t is in the
position of u new business that enters
the field against established competi-
tors. 1t may offer greater inducements
than they, as We believe the West Vir-
ginia University does. But merit will
not win against the fierce rivalry of en-
ergetic competitors who thrust their
wares in the face Of the public and hold
the attention of all buyers by persistent
advertisement.
We make these comments in no COM
planning or captiouS spirit. We do not
know that any person or persons who
are responsible for the conduct of the
University are specially to blame that
the interests of the institution seem to
lie neglected in this regard; but we
state it simply as the "bOttOm fact" in
the matter of home patronage for the
University, to which either the Legis.
lature or the Board Of Regents should
give attention and make such provision
as the matter may require.
The merits of an institution are not
to be tested solely by its patronage, but
that is one Of the tests of its usefulness.
The University will never fulfil is mis-
sion until it is educating the most of the
young men of the State who are seeking
a college education. 1t will not draw
the young men until it is recognized by
law as part of our school system, and
the preparatory schools shall qualify
pupils to enter the University. Until,
in fact, the people of the State are made
aware of the fact that better advantages
are offered at home for the education Of
their sons than can be found abroad.