The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-11-30

Oar Csfrespsndent Denellshes ~ Col
unbian Society.
1t is accomplished. The grea1
farce, known as the Columbian cleo
tion(?) took place on last Friday
evening. The result was not unex
pected. When, for one or two pre-
vious meetings, an existing faction
had been rushing in new members
unquestionably for election purposes
| it became rumored abroad that the
loyal members of the society who dc
not stoop to such plans and schemes
would refuse to tolerate the arbitra-
tion of packed majority" Con
sequently the old hall was crowded
with me,nbers(?) who had not seer
within its walls for one or two terms
until that and the previous meeting
and with spectators who had come
to view the result of the election
A fair canvass had previously dis
closed the fact that a majority Of
the legitimate voters were opposed
to the election of the candidate who
was supported by this packed ma
jority." This candidate and his
Jealous supporters had originated
this majority. For every student
who was not member of either So
ciety, and upon whose support they
thought they could depend, was soil
cited and urged to join the society.
Moreover, oil the delinquent mem
bers many of whose names had not
appeared on the society roll this
year until that and the previous
evening were brought up and made
square with the society. Votes had
been pledged by the candidate
months before, and no effort was
omitted to accomplish certain ends.
No scruple of conscience, no scheme,
no loyalty to the society served, for
a single moment, to check the pro-
gress to these ends.
The object Of this majority was
twofold. First, those men who had
been run in" three weeks before but
who were not legal voters, inasmuch
as they did not then pay their initia-
tion fees, were to complete the re-
quired number of ballots for the can
didate. Second, those "hustled i'm
later on were to complete majority
for carrying appeals over the chair,
etc. But some of this latter class
even, contrary to the constitution
and all precedent, voted ON the bal
lot for president,
Everything passed smoothly until
an illegal vote was challenged. The
president, after hearing the grounds
Of the challenge, said that, according
to the constitution, the vote could
not be cast Relying on a majority
that was blindly intent on electing,
some one appealed from the decision
of the chair when in fact no decision
had been rendered. Two members,
with their wonted sameness of style,
thereupon bawled forth dialogue
about the glories of the Republic
and the liberties of its citizens. OF
course the president could not, con-
sistently with his oath of office, put
the appeal. Thereupon the aforesaid
gentlemen, in tones both loud and
long demanded that the president OF
the University be called to the chair.
This was done. Then this majority
threw the constitution, which had
so often before directed the Colum-
bian hosts to victory, to the winds.
In few short hours these honor
seeking men degraded the glorious
reputation which the Columbian has
been years in building. By success
sive appeals, first one way, then di-
rectly the opposite (when it became
necessary to their purpose) a good
round majority(?) was heaped and
the candidate elected(?) by fraud.
Never were more disgraceful pro-
ceedings enacted by deliberative( p
body than occurred that highland
that too, with the great Colum bian( p
who has weekly been wont to call on
his gods in that hall at the lead.
The hitherto untainted banner of the
old Columbian paled before these
disgraceful spurnings of her consti-
tuition, and many of the loyal mem
bers, almost with tears for the form
er grandeur of the society and un-
willing to be longer connected with
her when the constitution that made
her great has been made the sport of
scheme and ambition, resigned their
membership and left the hall in dis
gust. Others will do so at the next
meeting. Thus has paralyzing
blow been given the society-and all
to what purpose? To satisfy puny
ambition and the vengeance Of an
eccentric crank.
On these grounds, can Mr.. 4. G.
Smith, of Harrison county assert his
claims to the presidential chair,
without legal officer to administer
the oath.
After the result was announced
President Turner made very elo-
quent speech from which the victors
doubtless drew lots of consolation p
He said that such proceedings would
rend the society in twain, and if
they were continued, they had bet
ter write "Ichabod" over the door.
He said that he could not blame a
great number of the members if they
should resign. Cat that moment
nearly dozen designations were in
the hands, of the secretary He al
so said; "If the State is to be gov
erned by such men, God save the
State
1t has been rumored that those
who resigned did SO because of de-
feat This is unequivocally false
Fair defeat, with the character of
the society untainted, would only
have stimulated to more jealous
work.
This is only plain simple state
ment of facts that no one NAV rest
under a false impression. If the
present officers(?) can quench their
thirst by ruling over the
shadow of departed glory (made so
by themselves) in the Columbian
hall, they are welcome to this conso
lation. But let them remember that
those now scattered all over this
land who helped to build Columbian
fame will not hallow this news nor
their memory. q.
Military Notice.
Eollnwinr are uanaral ordarc fo,.