Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-08-07
SHORT SKETCH

OF tht Nextslate superintendent Of schools
Ia Ctmpetsnt and Practical Man to
SUE coed "a o Prsssnt EnicIent Iaeumseaf'
10 ~ Efao II ne RrgSsser.
MoRaAxrowS, W. Va, August 4-lu
the REGISTER ofJuly 29th is found CORES
ondence in which the following words
sppeAr:
CAS- to Mr.. Butcher. the writer considers
ii bad policy to change known and tried
officer, one who has proved himself comPe'
tent and faithful, for one who is unknown
and untried--and, perhaps, inexperienced
What do the people of Ohio county know oil
ether Mr.. Duffy or Mr.. Morgan? But as
the nominations have been made and can
not be recalled, the counties that have
secured them. cannot do less than enhghten
the public as to the qualifications OF the
gentlemen, who aspire to the high Offices Of
Auditor and State Superintendent
IA is true that Mr.. Butcher is compe'
tent and faithful officer. 1t is also true
that Mr.. Morgan is not quite as well known
rs his late competitor, Mr.. Butcher, never
,heless think Mr.. Morgans county can
have no difficulty in convincing the public
as 10 his qualifications for the high othce oil
State Superintendent Indeed | know no
gentleman in the State of West Virginia
Who possesses better qualifications for that
Office than does Benjamin S.SMorgan. DE
Is a Young man, it Is true, butin the short
period of his life | think it no exaggeration
10 say he has accomplished vastly more than
most men accomplish in the whole OF long
lifetime.
BENJAMIN s. Morgan is a ineal descen
d mt of David Morgan, who with his
brother Zackwell made a settlement
on the ground when the town OF Morgan
town is now located away back in the year
II, being the first successful settlement ever
made on West Virginia soil. There are
many romantic aud interesting stories re
lated of the desperate bravery and thrilling
adventures Of these old Morgans with the
Indians which the readers of the REGISTER
would read with delight, bat they are not
pertinent or material at this time as b. 5,
Morgan and his friends claim nothing for
him on account of illustrious pareutage OF
ancestry. His claim to the sutfrages Of the
people is BASED solely on personal merit
and fitness for the Office. And it was on
account of his eminent qualifications thar
the Democracy was induced to set aside
so good an officer as Mr.. Butcher.
Benjamen s. Morgan is the second son o.
SmallwoOd G. Morgan, farmer OF limited
means residing in Grant district, this
county. His childhood days were spen',
like those of most farmers boys, in assisting
his father on the farm. By his inherent en-
ergy and industy his early education, &C
uuired in the public schools, fitted him al
the age Of sixteen for teaching, and at tha'
age, with ardOr and enthusiasm, he began
that profession with the intention of making
it his life work By teaching he procured
some means Of his own, and, with the laud-
ible intention of further fitting himself 10
usefulness in his profession of teaching a.
well as of satisfying his desire for knoyl
edge, he entered the State Uni,
yersity at MOrgantown. He was
obliged several times to leave his classes il
the University and to 90 out and teach ii
the public schools to procure the mean
necessary to defray his expenses, but he har
the STAYING qualities and surrounding ali
these difficulties he conquered the classica!
and military courses, and graduated witt
distinction IN June 1878. His record as q
student IN the University was 6rst-class, as
will be abundantly testified to By the pro
fessors and teachers in charge Of the Cni
yerSity during his attendance. His de
L.. II. sc a. h,c.ho
order. Of his department and scholarship
his teachers spoke in highest terms. And
about the time Of his graduation from thu
University the then President, who was {
Republican, remarked that Ben Morgan
would surely go to heaven unless excluded
BY reason of his being Democrat"
Mr. Morgan was distinguished while il
college as a fluent and elegant writer am
speaker as well as thorough and pains
taking student As teacher Mr.. Morgan
has no superior in Monongalia county and
believe but few, if any. in the State.
In May ISIS, just before he graduated
he was elected principal of the Morgantowu
Graded School, which position he filed &C
Ceptably and credi'ably for three years. IL
the spring of 1881 he resigned the position
and was elected Superintendent of School.
for Monongalia county over a very respecta-
Die Republican competitor by majority o!
over two hundred This in a county that is
Republican by over 500 majority is q
recommendation that few young Democrats
can boast and speaks well for his qualiGcs,
tons and fitness for Office in connection
with public schools. Mr.. Morgan's admin
istratiou of the schools of Monongalia
county has been eminently successful. Hi.
work was so progressive and popular that in
1888, he was reelected without opposition
Another testimonial from Republicans o.
his capabilty and fitness. Iu the mean
time Mr.. Morgan was lsboring not only for
the advancement Of education and the pub
lie school system, but was fitting himself
or other and higher duties. With this bur
len of school work upon his shoulders he
ook up and completed the en-
re course Of study taught in
he law school Of the University, and
aas admitted 10 practice law in the courts
If this State in 1882. So that Mr.. Morgan
practical school teacher, a successful
chool superintendent, finished classical
and scientific scholar, a polished gentle
man, and has achieved first class legaI
ducaiion. He has thorough practical
and scientific knowledge of school work and
teaching, having prepared and pubishel
he first course of study for district schools
in this State. So popular is Mr.. Morgan
and his work in this county where they are
hest known that hear hundreds of Repub
Leans declare their intention of voting for
him and their belief that he will carry this
Republican county by a large majority
His Greenback competitor is reported to be
a man of slender capacity and meagre at
taiEments, and l firmly believe that MIR
Morgan will carry his county by hand
some majority.
MOYOYGALIA COrYTY.