Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-07-21
THE UNIVERSITY.

Governor MaCNOIhie mas dPpOlutSu
as members of the Board of Regents
of the West Virginia University State
Senator James II. Stewart, of Put
nam county, and J. w. Holswade, of
Roane county. Yesterday, July Goth,
WAS the date set for the meeting of
the regents, when the troubles mt the
University were to be taken up.
1t looks as if crisis in the affairs
of the University has been reached.
The troubles that have been brewing
for II number of years have apparent
IL come to n head. As is well known
to those who have been interested III
the University, for years there has
been a constant warfare in the facul-
" Of that institution and never-ceas-
ing intrigue and plotting. The facul-
" has been arrayed against the pres
ident and the president at war with
the professors. This Internal warfare
has seriously impaired the usefulness
of the University, until now many
persons refuse to patronize the school
who would otherwise do SO.
At the close of the last session and
at the annual meeting of the board of
regents the president preferred
charges against several of the pro-
fessors. These charges were met
with indignant responses and coun-
ter-charges, and the ill-feeling exist
ing was exposed TO the people of the
State. The regents postponed set
Element Of the difficulties until the
meeting that is now being held.
The regents have an unpleasant
duty before them, and upon their &C
ton depends largely the future wei
fare of the University. They must
not smooth the affair over temporari-
" or avail themselves of makeshifts.
They must 90 TO the root of the diff
Guilty and then act with wisdom and
courage. If necessary to dispense
with the services of the president and
the professors directly at odds, let the
step be taken. Better get rid OF ev-
erv man connected with the institu-
ton and make an entirely fresh start,
than to allow the state of affairs to
exist that has prevailed for several
wears past. We DO not pretend to
have an intimate knowledge Of the
present situation, nor do We mean to
offer gratuitous advice TO the regents,
but we believe that it would be good
thing for the school if Il clean sweep
were made of the present faculty.
The people will not take kindly to
the school unless they are satisfied
that some radical reforms are to be
made, and their confidence will be
more quickly given new men than
those who have been tried already
and found wanting.
1t is quite unnecessary to fill some
of the places that should be declared
vacant. The cost of maintaining the
OulNtlSlNN II ONll VI II tS' $500
usefulness. There are several chairs
that could be abolished without hurt
ing the school and result in great say
ing of money. There are some pro
fessors" whose loss could most cheer
fully be borne.
The regents have u serious reSpon-
sibility upon them. If they shall al
low matters to drift along in the same
old way the University is doomed to
failure. If they shall place it upon
business basis, remove the causes of
the petty squabbles and internal dis
sensions, placing on duty men super,
ior to such trifling and Intellectually
and morally qualified for the places
they occupy, we may yet have an
institution of which all West Virgin
ians may be proud.