Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-07-16


Since the Republican organ Of this
city started out on campaign to pull
down and destroy the West Virginia
University and stirred up all the ours 1t
could command to yelplng on the same
trail, there have been some such con-
spicuous signs of reyulsion in the pub
lie mind, as the purpose OF this cam
paign has become apparent, that these
wreckers have begun to hedge.
They now claim that they do not
wish to destroy. They have the temer-
ity to assert in the face Of attacks that
had all the spirit and purpose Of the
incendiary and could have no other re-
suit, that they are simply "criticising"
the University for It's own good.
That the public may understand the
nature and purpose Of the so-called
CRITICISM" and that it may also have
a comparative exhibit of the character
of the CRITICISMS" that are being made
nv the Republican and Democratic
pies or CrItfcIsIus uVu VuF
changes of the last week, that they
may be read side by side. (
We desire it 70 be kept in view by our
readers that both the exchanges W.
quote from profess to be friends of the
University and seeking its welfare.
We quote first a part OF an editorial ar
Iicle from Republican paper, the Fair
mont W.T. ITGinipn, of the 18th of
July:
The Wheeling REGISTER and a few
Otter d, nocratic papers in the State
%re blowing and putting without stint in
~ tndeavOr TO save the University,
but, rs the old hulk is rotten from tur-
ret to foundation stone, it is doomed to
destruction, unless u mighty change il
worked from within, ana that, too, in a
vely short time. The West JTrginidn
does not wish to see the institution deS
trOycd. 1t has capacity for educating
five times the actual number of students
in attendance, and we would like to see
it full To OVERLOOKING, but not under its
present management.
After the West Virginia University
shall have died, it can be truly said that
its demise was occasion not by disease
unknown, but by BOurbOnism. Only
this and nothing more.
We might give great deal more of
the same sort OF comment from the
above journal, for its editorial page is
occupied weekly and almost exclusive
~ with the same matter, but we have
given enough to show the spirit and
tenor of the Republican friends of the
University who 'do not wish to de-
stroy," but are simply "criticising" it
with view of building it up"
Now in contrast with the above, we
quote from a Democratic exchange, the
Raleigh County fadGr, and when this
8 read side by side with the one above
quoted, the public may be able to de-
termine who are "criticising" and who
are conspiring to destroy-who are the
friends of the University and who the
"critics" pulling it down:
We have in our State noble, wor-
thy and honorable University, belong
ing to our State, and supported by our
State. The State is the people. We re-
gret to see some of our most esteemed
and able contemporaries attack this, the
State University of West Virginia. II is
the duty of every editor of the State to
uphold and support this institution and
20 forget, for the time being, that poll
ties exist.
v, =, H. dub, ~, o,,n-,, ,;k;,,,, sc tbo
commonwealth to uphold our noble
college, to strengthen her, to send his
SONS TO join in their alma mater, which
they will be proud years hence to wear
the honors Of The cause of education
is too noble, the minds of our youth too
dear tC us to permit the venomous slur
of politics to cross the threshold of our
University.
We advocate the University as Uni
versity, and do not want to see it fall in
the slough of dependency.
We have read its late catalogue with
care and attention, and We can see
great Improvement in the Collegiate
scholarship, as well as the curriculum
of the College. The University has
done well and will dobetter, IL left
alone from the contamination of politi-
cal buzzards, political lies and political
imaginings.
We believe the Regents will do their
whole honest duty to the people. The
Regent who does not is unworthy OF his
office, and should be ostracised to the
oblivion that he deserves. All good
and true men will act for the good of
tie school, and the future great and
glorious benefits of its students. Vul-
lures will often attack the living as well |
as the dead. Vampires killed ancient |
schools as well as modern ones. Ghouls |
exist in all ages, and eanni balistically
:eed on all that Is good.
Our University Is good; Is noble work.
Let her alone. Raise your voices to
strengthen her. Use your pens in her
defense. The mass Of the people are
wise ard have good common sense, and
when aroused viii show their strength.