Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-02-12
THE UNIVERSITY BILL.
Some of Its Important Features Pointe"
Out aud Criticized.

Some of Its Important Features Pointed
Out aud Criticized.
10 he E,fitor Of he Register
SlR:-Thc most Objectionable features
If House Bill No. 2Of, TO amend Sec
lions IS. 50. - and s. OF Chapter - oil
the Code, recognizing the management
of the University. are as follows:
"Is. For the government and control
of said University there shall be board
Of regents. to be called, The Board OF
Regents OF West Virginia University
consisting of one person from each Con-
greSsional district, and TWO from the
State at large, TO be appointed by the
Governor, as provided by law. "
- + e
"All male students over the ages OF
fifteen years, who are not physically
disqualified, except students in the pre-
fessional departments, shall serve In the
cadet corps of the military department
for at least three years from the date OF
their entrance, aud shall not be requir-
ed to pay any tuition fee or annual Zee
during the term Of their enlistment not
exceeding three years
These changes are decidedly radical.
II is generally conceded that iavorltlSm
has frequently been shown in the APP
poiutment OF regents, in the past; that
men have been appointed TO these I'M
portant positions in consideration OF the
political or Sectarian influence they
could WELD: hat men who were in no
wise in sympathy with the University
have been placed upon the board-in
short that regents have been selected
with little regard for fitness. and that
the usefulness of the University has
been greatly impaired thereby.
Selfish motives have governed. Priyi-
leges have been abused. lndiScrlmi-
nate appointments have worked serious
injury aud greatly retarded the school
progress. This criticism, however, Is
not intended TO apply TO all members
OF the present board, for some are
strong, capable, representative men
Mere figure heads should have no place
in such body. Their places should
be supplied with men whose activity,
enterprise, ability and enthusiasm are
commensurate with the educational ad-
vancementS OF the State aud the de-
mand of the times.
The remedy lies. not in reduction OF
the number, but in greater degree oil
care in the selection. True, the num-
Der of a body OF men of this character
should be kept within reasonable
limit, i'm order TO avoid confusion and
leypedite business. But it is well known
that other universities, and notably the
great schools, have numerous boards OF
visitors and trustees, and that the lnilu-
ence of these institutions * extended
thereby. To narrow the policy OF a
university is to cripple It's usefulness
and defeat its purpose. 1t Is paradox
cal. To centraliZe the government
OF such an institution in Few
individuals is 20 contract its
scopc and diminish its influence. So
long as a State university is controlled
by political. Sectarian, or selfish iniln-
ences. 50 long will il fail to accomplish
the highest good, Let its policy be
broadened. let greater care be exercised
in the selection OF its Regents, let It's
influences be extended, and, lastly, let
It become what it purportS 10 be and
what its name siguitieS-a University.
The reorganization of the military de-
partment is even more Objectionable
than reduction OF the present number
of regents. II is compulsory meas
IRE and incompatible with the spirit OF
the times. II will drive students TO
other schools. 1t will increase the en-
penSeS Of the student. IL is 4 step to-
ward the exclusive college, the rich
mans college. the college of the
aristocrat. The time may come when
| the enactment or such laws will be less
| Injurious than at present, but for some
years hence the University must be the
school of the farmers son and the me-
chanic'S son-a school for the masses.
We must he content with plain living
and high thinking.
The abolition Of The provision which
furnishes free text books TO cadets
withdrawS the principal iuducement to
become 4 cadet. II is q blow at the in
dicent student. 1t will crowd him out.
Neither is IT beneficial to the student
OF means.
1t will transform the University into
distinctly military school without the
privileges aud immunities usually per-
tanning thereto.
The available arguments that can be-
urged in favor OF the bill are few in
deed. while those OF the opposition are
many and invincible. We trust to the
solid judgment and good sense Of our
legislators TO defeat the measure.
NOYIHtWCH, February ~. y.