Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-02-12

Au AntcEetliNE LetNaEc " oohn -
ULCERS Before the University English
club.
SrssiGI Corrssyoaasnss az tAs Register.
MoEGANrowN, w. VA, February o.
Before the University English Club,
DR.. john A. Tigers, in. his lecture last
night, called attention 10 college fads
OF China, of the Mohammedan world,
and OF the English colleges. He said
China has its Coufuscius fad, the Mo-
hammedan world It's Theological fad,
and Europe and America their classical
fadS. All three OF them upon about the
same par as far rs meeting the actual
demands of our present civilization is
concerned. lie showed that our pres
ent system Of education In most Of our
colleges is modelled closely after that
followed for two hundred years at the
universities Of oxford and Cambridge,
and was intended 20 meet the demands
OF leisure class which does not exist In
this country. He quoted from Gladstone
and other English authors TO show the
contempt into which these systems had
fallen even In England, and expressed
surprise that they could De tolerated In
our own country lie said that young
men of this State who would bit them
selves for any OF the higher appltca-
tiOns OF science or mathematics, en-
cheering or mechanics 10 every day
Affairs of life must seek such instruc-
tiOn without the borders Of this State.
IL any of the great manufacturing,
mining or bridge building enterprises
within this State required skilled men
to conduct their affairs the corporations
wore forced 20 seek in other States for
them. There is not az present in this
State, so far as I know, said he, an
institution that will fit man
fully for becoming an electrical a
running mechanical or chemical engi-
neer or architect We send our young
men il great numbers away 10 other in
stitutionS in the East and North or
even West 70 secure Just this kind of
instruction, tut in face OF all OF this
public opinion ia this State Is not sur
ticiently aroused 70 demand that our
public and private institutions in the
State should remodel their courses or
instruction TO meet the demahds OF the
10Th century and cease Flooding along
upon the general scheme OF 200 years
ago. The lecturer then called atten-
JiOn 10 the manner of teaching the
classics. He insists that the walls erect
ed TO prevent the entrance OF students
20 our colleges be broken down, that
the classics like other departments OF
study be organized into special and ad-
vanced courses which will carry a stu
dent as far into these subjects as he
may wish 20 90 and that these courses
be cOlfined 70 such students and be not
longer insisted upon a. in the past.
He then called attention 10 the manu-
al training, college athletics, cO-edUca-
ton, university exteRkiap, Psychological
training, and earnestly lead for an eX-
tension of the inStruetion in English
literature, and in all branches learning
which bear directly upon the everyday
duties OF life. He abstaiRed strictly
from mentioning or referring TO the
university or its curriculum, and while
he assaulted the average curriculum
il was quite evident that il anyone con-
sideTed the average curriculum" TO the
University curriculum, he would not
stop to apologize II the application was
made.
He said in conclusion that his object
was 20 stimulate the formation Of a
public opinion 20 this State which will
demand an extension Of our course Of
instruction in manual training, prac-
tical mechanics, agriculture, dairyiDg,
horticulture, civil, mechanical and cleo
trical engineering, English, modern
and especially United States history, in
-Hsturai history, physics and chemistry,
and All of the sciences. This Is the
part Of the University instruction
which will soonest relieve il of the
competition OF the private institutions
I'm the state, and place it abreast OF the
demands Of the times.
lie said without this public opinion TO
support them neither the president nor
the Board of Regents can expect to
succeed in widening this institution.
believe, said be, that by uniting our
efforts and developing this wholesome
public opinion both within and without
the Institution such a spirit of progress
can be developed that the President and
Board OF Regents will be justified In
widening and liberalizing our course OF
study here so that many Of our bright
est young men will be educated at the
University OF West Virginia instead of
going elsewhere, as 10 Cornell, John
Hopkins, the various polytechnic
schools, etc.
Let the faculty, students and every
friend OF the University endeavor to
bring about the desired and necessary
extension.