Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-03-13
MIR. Wilson and the University.

luLI WNISSb GSiIG tllO
Hon. VIM. l.. Wilson, after few
days sojourn at home, returned to
Morgantown last Tuesday, to con-
tinue his duties at the University until
June. No extra session of Congress
is now probable, and his resignation
was returned to him by the Regents
with the urgent request that he should
withdraw it, at least for the present.
We learn that he received commune
cations from the Regents, the Faculty,
the Executive Committee and the en-
tire body of students earnestly re-
questtng the same thing. Also that
the Faculty and the Committee petit
toned the Regents not to accept the
resignation.
The following is copy of the paper
signed by the Faculty and the Re
gents:
The undersigned, regents and Off
GERS of the y est Virginia University,
are panied, and deeply regret to learn,
that Mr.. Wilson, President of the in
stitution, has resolved to sever his
connection with it on the 1st proximo !;
and they unite in q most earnest re-
quest to him to Withdraw his resigna-
ton, at least until the regents have
had an opportunity to convene. They
fully appreciate the delicacy of feel
ing by which he has beenprompted, but
they regard with grave apprehension
his surrender of this trust at this par
ticular juncture, when his pre-eminent
fitness for the position has been so
fully demonstrated and fairly begun
to be understood and appreciated by
the friends and patrons of the school.
They see no reason why tempe
rary absence in Congress after the
4th OF March, were this to become ne
cessary. should detract in any mea-
sure from the value to the University
of his connection with it, and they beg
that in deciding the question now pre-
sented to HIM, he will consult the
opinion here expressed rather than
the suggestions OF his own difffdence-
To these several papers Dir. Wilson
replied as follows:
CHARLESrowN, March 5. 1888.
Prof d. B. Purinton, Tice President
HTest Yirginia Unfcersity:
DEAR SIR: / beg leave to respond,
through you, to the papers placed in
my hands before leaving MIorgantown,
all of which have carefully consid-
cred, and some of which I have read
for the first time since returning home.
These papers emansting, from the
Regents, Officers and Students of the
University, concur in asking a with
drawal of my resignation of the Pres
idency of that institution, which was
rendered some six weeks, ago to take
effect on March LIST This resigna-
ton was dictated by reasons of pub
lie nature which will readily occur to
any one, and by my desire to return
to my family and to my profession,
whose pursuit, relinquished for the
position in question, it has since be-
come my duty and interest to resume
as soon as possible. These latter rea-
sons are as strong to-day as ever, but
L am reluctant to set them over against
the supposed interests of the Univer-
sity; and in accordance with the re-
quests made. Withdraw my resigna-
ton until the end of the College year.
As l do this chiefly if not solely in def
erence to the judgment and wish ex-
pressed in these several papers.
deem it but proper to accompany this
withdrawal with the condition that
beyond the unavoidable expenses in
Cured in performing the duties of the
Presidency for the residue of the sos-
sloe. my services to the University are
to be without compensation.
Grateful for the kindly terms in
which your requests were conveyed,
and acknowledging the UNMARRIED cour-
tesy and consideration have received
from all connected with the University,
L am very sincerely yours,
WM. L. WILSON.