The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-08-12

l
than and have been In bis room frequest
ly. but never Baw him gamble or drunk.
Mr.. Henry Morgan, OF tho Pca, said b,
bad been quito well acquainted with Prof
Lssham, but had never seen anything
reprchensible In his conduct. r's1' ''-2'a !,
Major ". q. McGrsw told me yeaterday
tbas he did not think there Ia any truth IL
the charges OF gambling or drunkenness.
q, AviooRcus KICK. &
Col. James Evans ono Of the members
the University Executive Committee takes
exception to the aweeping denial Of Prof
Latham and has submitted the following
sworn statement: ;tG:.sS ,ni. E Z
MoNoS0ALlA County, l,..-,.. n
This day came James Evans, and made
oath Ia eaid county aud Sate, that he is q
citizen OF Morgantown, In said county; has
only a slight personal acquaintance with
Prof. Woodville L,tham, jr, and person.
ely knows nothing Of the truth OF faIsity
OF the charges against him Ct drunkenness,
profanity or immortality; that he has been
for many years Democrat in politics, and
well acquainted with the cltzsns OF said
town and county, and Is Of opinion that
the public feeling and judgment as mani.
Tested towards Prof. Latham in
conntction " with the charges pre-.
ierred against him, and now
being investigated by X the Rs.
gen!s OF the West Virginia University, are
not partizan and political except possibly
ina law nstaucet; that from his knowledge
OF the public sentiment as expressed in
reference 10 P,oi. Latham, and the t,tin,s.
ton in which lie ;s held by the majority OF
those whom he has heard express opinions
upon the subject, he is clearly Of the opin.
ion thas the interests OF the University
would be greatly promoted by his resigna.
tiob; and he makes this affidavit q. the in.
atance Of those having charge OF the pros.
eCntion Of said charges. N, - -
JAMES EVANS.
Sworn 10 and suhecribed before me this
20.h day OF July, 1854. u 55i ID
fE Gso. @. sruRalss,
i 1 Notary Public.
THE REAL cAusrs CT TROUBLE.
havs OF some length given the idess OF
many peraons relative to the status Of the
University OF West Virginia. 1t is asserted
by many ths! Prof, Latham is the bar to its
progress and usefulness Generally spesk.
lls [ do no. think this is true. 1 do think
that there ia some dissatisfaction on &C.
count of his connection with the
school, but do no. think that it has
cau4ed q disaGection that is not con-
fined 10 the State. Prof.. Latham. is merely
the central figure. There are others in the
school Of far smaller abilities who are great
or bsra TO i!s euccees, and ths sooner the
inetltution is divested OF them the better it
will be tor 1t. Latham is merely an aRita-
tor. He hs1 idea1 for the school that the
Echool fs not ready to receive. Through
his insLrumentality radical ctanger have
been msde in the system Of teaching so
long in use. The literary and preparatory
departments have been nsympathetlcally al
tec.eds O:her professors not in accord
with his ideas here grumbled and 1emon-
etEatsd. Their displeesure has commune
Gated itself to ths students, to the town, to
to ths State. and it has borne its fruit.
The real CAUSES OF trouble, In my opin-
ion, are thest: First, The mistaken policy
Of Governor Jackson in making the regency
strictly Democratic. Every Regent in the
Board is an incorporating Democrat.
This fact hes made hundreds OF enemies to
the school in every quarter Of the stste;
s:cond, The Regents erred in changing
the system Of instruction from the currlcu.
lun to the elective in the face OF the protests
oi 50 many people Of the community,
especially in the fscs Of the fact that only
vtrv fpr re- tha focnlku rrara fnlI,
in favor Of it. Third, the Regents have
erred in procrastinsting the matter OF the
election OF a President. A return to that
ciIice would reinspire confidence in the
school and the intentions OF the Regents.
These are some OF the causes and are, in
desd,, the principal ones urged by the
friends Of the institution. Certain it is,
however, that unless something is done
very soon the University will go over
to the great majority. es,s o.s.H.