The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-06-05

OF Tho Institution.
u he Elior Of ne inLeliCaeer.
siE-I herewith trHnumit 10 you an open
letter in regard to the West Virginia Uni.
verslty: a5.;'..-5 III
AR. Jane, ". LIE, Ao,ganio,rn, ". Ia:
DEAR SiG--I am receipt oil q postal card
from you notifying mo tina! you had mailed
me pamphlet on Co.eauCation In the
West Virginia Uaiyerslty and requesting
my vote and opinion on tho subject Tho
pamphlet has been received and carefully
examined, and In this letter propose not
only 10 respond 10 It's main idea, but 10
olIer come comments on the cause which
gives rise TO lis suggestion, the present do.
plorable etats OF my alma mater. As Q
graduate and RlumnuB Of tho University,
who began bis s.udies there the year II was
endowed rs a Uniyersiiy, and continued
his attendance Tor six consecutive years, |
am familiar with its early history and sub.
stquent miGiortunts. md therefore claim
the right to speak In Its defence.
l do Iot intend 10 attack individuals as
such, but ~ public servants, supported by
public funds and subject 10 public crlti-
cism. Recalling the good days Of the ven-
cradle Scott and Harmon 1t Is a lamen,able
slight 10 sec members Of Faculty without
a head, asserting that the West Virginia
University lis not fulfilling Its mission 10
the State" that II "never hiss been the inst.
luton Il should be-" end that 1t 10 not
now" The second oil these assertions l
deny. The firs. and third ere unfortunate.
lv AT the nfpsant TINA TIM tFtie
PRESIDENT MARTINS REGIME.
Just before l entered the college, the
West Virginia College was converted
into university, with Alex. Martin, D. D,
as President. lie was 3 thoroughly edu.
Gated and Christian gentleman, and rs
well q strict disciplinarian. The Faculty
was composed Of industrious and educated
men, who worked harmoniously for the
good Of The Institution. The Beard Of Re
gents consisted Of representative gentlemen
oil tho State, whose aim wGs 10 elevate the
school, and not to use It 10 subserve party
ends. The students were from different
States. They were mostly dcmiciled in
"Woodburn," building dear 10 the
hearth Of many alumni. They realized the
fact that they mus: either work or be dis.
missed. The Executive Committee had
the bes! interests Of the institution at heart
and were not IL i!aepced by party feelings
What was accomplished during the years
1860 10 1875, inclGsive2 - 5
FIst, the building on the s1uth side OF
the Campus, which fully met the require
MI ng IN lut- stru atyNafpI sIha
came the reorganization Of the cadet corpp,
with the late lameuted Captain Pierce al
it's head. Through hl1 Gntiriug devotion
and energy the srmory was b1i!t, and the
corps put upon better military basis thsn
that Of any other State Echool. Morgan.
town was made signal station, and a
competent man gave instructions In signal.
ing and telsgrspny. The burning Of
"Woodburn" in 1872 caused grave appre-
tensions at fret, but through the prompt
action Of the President and Executive
Committee the ruins had hardly cooled be-
lore steps were taken to make good the |
less, which IcsIl,sd in the handsome |
structure that now adorns the grounds.
TIE DISCIPLINE.
During-this period there were but few
changes In ths Faculty and these always
bore good fruit. l confess that at that time
! considered The discipline too strict, but
in looking taes and comparing it with the
consequences Of The liberality displayed Of
late am inclined 10 favor strict discipline.
In 1878 the Faculty, aiming to raiae the
s.audard Of education, instituted the written
e1anina;io2c, \ syetem severe, exactipg
and impartial. With this stats OF affairs
everything moved along smoothly, the
pniyersily prospered, and The number OF
students and graduates increased annually.
The currieu,rm was co good rs that Of Har-
ward or Yale, and students yhp Jeff our
school 10 attend those Institutions alter
wards confessed that the examinations at
our college were the most severe. r..
What can be said Of Ter Alumni? Ger.
ts;...ls their aim,. ,,lles hss no reason to
be- sshan,ea =. most oil them. They are
scattered over the country engaged in vari.
Gus professions and tmploymenis. Some
Of them arc to-day hnlding positions Of i'm.
portancc in other educational Institutions
in the land, while two Of Them gil import
ant chsirs In her own Faculty, and two
others are slaorg its corps ol instructors.