The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-10-12

| When / came here kt the begin
ming OF the present school year it was
with the distinct understanding that
to belong to the class known as Props
is so far from being disgrace that
it is peculiar honor. That the prep
is rather looked up to, so to speak,
and that those more advanced in in
tellectual attachments were fire.
quently known to go out of their
way to do him a favor. That he is,
indeed, no Insignificant factor in col
lege life. / explained the supposed
state OF affairs above set forth some
what as follows: Those more adj
vanced in their college course realize
the excellent opportunities that have
passed unimproyed and which are
yet in the power of the prep TO take
advantage of They feel that it is pos
sible for him by properly awaiting
himself Of these advantages to be-
come much more proficient than they
at their stage Of the course. And,
moreover, that the props are not all
damphools by any means and it is
not well to gain their ill-will, but
might be very desirable to secure
their friendship.
The above, say, is what l imag-
ined the standing of the prep. at the
University and my explanation of
the same when coming here with
that title last September. OF course,
/ also had my ideas as to his social
prominence in the town, &c. i am
still prepared to say, after month
spent in the institution, that / am
reasonably proud of the name of
prep" but l don't think we are
given the consideration we deserve
or that our predecessors had. The
greater part of my information as to
matters and customs here was re-
ceived from graduate of the Uni
versity and don't guess he would
inform me wrongly. / fear the good
old customs are falling into disuse.
/ sometimes think / would just as
lief be collegian if the studies were
not so hard. But it is no doubt
thoughtlessness on the part Of the
Professors and older students and
they will treat us as becomes our
station when everything gets to
working smoothly. But while in
this connection wish to call the at
tion of the college authorities to the
i'll heating of the prep building. l
have heard that some of my rank
have been invited to meet with the
faculty that they consult with them
on important questions. When am
invited for consultation, the subject
of heating shall be brought before
them and its Importance insisted
upon. We have practically no heat
at all, and our health and future
usefulness are imperiled thereby.
think it is crying shame that
the ladies are not admitted to our
department as well as to the college.
A young man should develop his So
cial nature as we'll as his intellect,
at the same time. We have girls
| in the town, it is true, but they are
few compared with all the boys here.
If we had number of girls in the
school we could all be supplied and
without SO much contention. / there
fore suggest to the Regents that at
their next meeting they admit ladies
to the preparatory department of the
University.
/ think / will like the cadet corps
very much and think it is quite a
wise institution. 1t don't just suit
me to drill so often, but we will
the sooner become proficient and be
able to enter the regular companies
But do think it in bad taste and
entirely uncalled for to designate the
recruits by the odious term of ''rat. .
! suppose they only mean it for lit
tie fun but they should be more con
siderate of our feelings. 1t dom
seem to me that the girls begin tt
realize how well we look in oul
new uniforms. They don't seem tt
notice us very much--indeed no
nearly so much as / supposed the,
would.
like the looks of the Librarian
very much and believe she will b,
very pleasant and accommodating
/ think / shall draw book ever,
Few days even if l don't read it.
1 like my teachers pretty well, bu
some of them seem to be little to,
strict and make too much of mis-
take. DIR. Dancer appear to be ;
, good janitor, but he acts as though
he thinks props. don't amount t,
, anything, and that he owns the Uni
versity.
The literary societies are by fa
superior to any it has been my for
tune to attend and / believe grea
good is to be derived from attending
them and taking part in the exer
cises. The work done in the socie
ties is what enjoy and l think ev
cry member should perform whenev
err he is placed on the program.
, AS to the town and towns peopl
I am very favorably impressed will
them. Especially am l pleased will
the appearance of the young ladie
and like the few l have met. 1t i
my opinion that the mite societ,
should be resumed so as to give u
an opportunity Of becoming &C
quainted.
On the whole am very favorabl,
impressed, indeed, with the Universit,
and my surroundings in general. A
intimated above there are some Gus
toms and usages that I should lik
to have changed, and when ge
time think l can give Pres. Turne
some valuable suggestions as to tn
t management of some of the depart
ments; nevertheless / consider thi
: an excellent institution taken all il
4 all and abundantly worthy of pa
e tronage.
The foregoing, Mr.. Editor, ar
e some of the impressions of a prep
: after one months connection wit
! the West Va. University. They ar
| given both to relieve the writer
D mind and with the hope and full be
Y lief that in thus bringing before tn
e public a few abuses they will be th
. instrument of curing the same. Wit
) such an apology for my appearance
e in print, am yours,
a Very respectfully, PREP.
a A vigilance committee will proba
t bly, be organized among the bette
l students to devise some means 70