The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-06-12
COMMENCEMENT WEEK.
Crowds Pouring in to Witness
the University Exercises,
WORK OF THE INSTITUTION.
Great Progress NIadc-Co'educatIon
Fact-The Regents Take Impor-
tant Exercises at Fair
mont and SteubcnylIIe.
Special Dl,pateA to The Mteltseierr,

Special Dl'pateA TO The Hliel!tgeaeeT.
MoRdANTOwN, W, Va, June 1.-THE
driuling rain that descended all morn.
ing had little effect on the increase Of
strangers who poured in from all parts
Of the State to witness the commence
ment exercises Of the State University,
Hotel accommodations are scarce but
room is always found for one more, The
number of visitors far exceeds that OF
anyhreYious year and tomorrow an i'm
menBe gathering is expected to witness
tho drowning event Of the year. The
drillsatlraCs considerable attention, and
at each formation the college campus Is
filled with spectators to see the eVolu.
tlons Of the battalion, Lieutenant Colo
mel Lotten, Of the United States Army,
inspected the cadet corps this afternoon
and highly Complimented the boys in
In their maneGuvering,
The Wheeling Opera House band adds
much to the occasion and are winning
new laurels to-day.
The Board ofRegents passed an order
admitting ladies to the University. The
only proviso Is that they must be pro.
pared to enter the regular college de-
partmeut. Thus the first step has been
taken and Co-education in the West Yir-
glnia University is an assured fact.
THE LITERARY CONTEST.
The twentieth annual contest between
the literary societies took place at Chapel
Hall this evening. The performances
were much above the average, each per.
former acquitting himself in cleditable
manner The decisions OF the judges
were as follows: Defamation, W. NJ.
Sivey; essay, Il. II. Vickers; oration, NJ.
D. Post; debate, NIillard Pell. The de-
cision gives the Columbian Society
ninety and the Parthenon ten.
Governor Wilson arrived this even.
ing and will take part in the exercises
tomorrow.
The rules OF the University were
amended by the Regents this evening,
giving full control and supervision OF
the University to the President.
The year which will close tomorrow
Is one OF the most successful in the his.
tory Of the University. There are in at.
tendance lO5 students, seven OF whom
are from other States.
TIE uEIyERsITY's WORK.
In regard to the work OF the Univcr-
sty, cannot do better than TO quote the
following article from the University
DdilU
The West Virginia University is sit
uated where the pure mountain air and
crystal waters invigorates the body and
tones the brain; where the picturesque
country enchants the observer and offers
close communion with nature. The
opportunities for mental drill are para.
mount--a course OF instruction as
thorough and practical Us that OF any
average college in the country; most
learned and experienced instructors, the
means ofilustrating the various branches
in the laboratory and museum; well
selected library; incentives to literary
excellence, and the vigorously practical
instruction offered In two or three
technical departments. The residents
are hospitable and the moral influences
are healthiul. The location offers very
few allurements to vice and lavish ex.
penditures. Few colleges in America
afford equal advantages for the money.
Now, after twenty-five years OF exist
ence with these gradually increasing ad.
vantages, one can glance over the pres.
ent condition OF our State and sec the
fruits Of our state University. But the
good results are more indirect than
direct.
When we consider that there is and
has been but one other small college in
side the boundaries Of West Virginia,
aud find that the average annual attend.
ance Of our University since its begin.
ming has been only l43 students, while
some other States have thousands OF
students attending their dozens OF col.
leges, We do notfeel very highly grati6ed,
And still less proud are we when we
compare with this yearly attendance Of
l43 students an average annual addition
to the alumni Of but six members. Only
A 1.0 per cent OF the students who have
attended the University have completed
the academic course and taken a bac.
Calaureate degree.
IIER FUTURE.