The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-04-25
An Old Controversy Revived, But
No Particular Good Results.

10 Jne Eu1JOr OF the NEW DOMINION.
Perhaps many readers remember
an article in the New DOMINION of
February 7th, headed "Lamona's De
Tense of Dancing" replying to a
piece written by myself against
dancing at the West Virginia Uni
versity, and as Lamona made the at
tack ON a local note that appeared
in one of my letters, it is certainly
nothing more than right that /, act
ing on the defensive should have the
last reply. ! did not deem il neees-
sary at that time to offer reply to
Lamona's ungentlemanly letter. He
accused me and others who had eX-
pressed our opinions on the subject
of dancing at the West Virginia
University, of meddling with bust
ness not our own: of trying to in
struct the Faculty of the West Vir-
ginia University; of the criticisms
of the Republican press of the State;
of being the cause of the Universi-
TVS supposed removal to Wheeling,
and if anything else of like char
acter Lamona laid it at my feet; it
was the defeat of the Republican
party l suppose, last fall, for | know
Of nothing else. He tried to raise
enmity between the Faculty of the
University and myself, by making
me their enemy, but so far as | am
concerned he utterly failed, and La
mona would understand that he has
replied and replied to that local note
to carry his point, and that my locals
are no more subject to his criticisms
than are the actions of the Faculty
open to my criticisms. But it is not
so much for myself OF the subject
that l reply, but for his i'll speaking
of some of those in former connec-
ton with the University. He says:
"This is not the first time our Uni
versity boys have attended dancing
school. A dancing teacher from
Baltimore taught class, believe,
while DR.. Martin was President, and
no doubt the students had the Doc
tors consent; and one while j. r.
Thompson was President and with
his hearty appreciation" l have the
following over the signature of Mr..
Thompson: During my connection
with the West Virginia University l
never heard of dancing club in
connection with that institution, nor
do l believe there was one in exist
ence." DR.. Martin says: "Your in
timation of my favoring or ever al
lowing dancing in connection with
the West Virginia University is so
absurd that l thought it needed no
denial, neither there nor here (Depaw
University, nor since | reached
years of discretion have | approved
or in any way countenanced such
proceedings" Then by using more
strenuous language on the subject,
says: mot to exercise their heels,
but to secure the moral and intellect
ual culture do the precious youth of
our families resort to college halls"
From others let US quote: Albert D.
Vail, D. D., says of morality, "The
beer saloon, the billiard table, the
dance, and the theatre are the rocks
of danger" He quoted from Wash
ington by his having said dancing
was "innocent amusement" Who
ever said it, stated an absurdity, be-
cause all amusements are time kill
ers, therefore could not be s'inno-
cent" We think for the successful
future of the institution, other schools
should be added before dancing.
The necessities before the decora.
lions and concentrations. When
the gallant Lafayette was in Balti-
more the ladies of that city proposed
to give him bali. He replied: "La-
dies, l would like to dance with you,
but my soldiers have no shirts"
The ball was postponed, and the
bells of Baltimore made shirts for
the soldiers. II the Faculty OF any
one else can see any good coming out
of it, we submit, if anything better
can be procured for the young men
in our college halls, let's have it.
Respectfully,
HALLEOK CORRESPONDENT