The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-06-15
SurprisiHg.

A glance over the statistics of at
tendance at our college, given in an
other column, reveals the unpleas-
ant fact that our institution approx
mates too nearly the standard of
sectional school. Wisely may the
question be asked, Does the West
Va. University pay? No man who
is familiar with its workings will
hesitate to answer aflirmatively, but
too few are able to judge rightly.
An idea is prevalent among num-
Der Of our people that the amounts
appropriated for the University and
normal schools, particularly since
the latter have become the direct
feeders Of the former, are by no
means proportionable to the benefits
realized from these institutions TO
the relative merits of these schools,
Let the question continue to be ask
ed till every tax payer in the state,
who has any interest in the educa-
tional development of ii, may seek TO
familiarize himself with the work
ings of these schools. So long as
the comparison is based upon the
direct results of the work and money
expended in these schools, there will
be a feeling of antagonism against
the University. The w. V. u. does
not pay the state what she ought
She can not, till more general in
terest is aroused among the people,
for the education of our boys and
Tour girls). We shall not say ours is
a sectional school, but let us notice
few figures. Only 36 of the 81
counties, just two thirds, are repre-
scented at all. OF the 1876 in atten.
dance this year, 10 are furnished
by 7 counties. SO of these come
from the single county Of Mononga
liza, that is to say, 1.6S of the area,
or AZ of the population furnishes
$40 of our students. In other words
of the 100000 expended annually for
the University, over $lS,300 goes to
Z counties, and over $4,000 TO
Monongalia county alone.
'Tis true that the education of the
young men from any county does
not conflne the good results simply
to that county, but there is rela-
tive as well as an absolute relation
between the counties, and this should
not be-forgetten in the education of
their youth. These facts are not
intended to east any reflection upon
the people of Monongalia who are
blessed with the "lion's share" but
rather all credit to her for her record
of attendance, The only wonder is
that she does not send 200 instead
of SO. But there is deficiency
somewhere, Can it be rcmedied by
a little effort on the part Of some
good workers who will 90 out and
tell to w. Va. that she has Uni
versity2 The school never was in
SO prosperous condition, and all
things point to a steady and health
full Improvement in every depart
ment. Under the efficient admins
tration of DR.. E. M. Turner, many
wrongs have been rightcd, the atten-
dance increased and the morale of
the school greatly improved. The
limited attendance can be attributed
to no local or personal causes, nor
to the supposed fact that our boys
do not attend school. They do not
attend as they might nor as they
should, but over 1000 students are
in attendance at schools in our own
state and abroad. Personal exper-
fence, strengthened and augmented
by the experience of many others
who have opportunity to know,proves
clearly that students go to other
states because they have never had
the merits of our schools presented
to them. Our final query is. Who
are to do this, and when and how2