Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-07-26
A LITTLE HISTORY.
A Few Facts Concerning the University'
Cleaned from the Inside.
a,,..irt T,l,,rrr,, "a ne Rsgtsxs-


Few Facts Concernlng the University
Cleaned from the Inside
Special Telegram 60 ne Register.
MoReANTowN, w. VA, July 25.-'
Those who were on the inside OF the
news at the recent battle between Pres
ident Turner and the Faculty always
knew that the real fight In the Board
was never between Turner and Ogden,
for Ogden at DO time had any consider
able number of the Board who would
vote for him. The real obiecv was 10
clean the obnoxious element out OF the
Faculty, and as Ogden has always been
the disturbing element, his decapltation
was a foregone conclusion. In spite
of these facts, which were realiy
public property, Prof. ogdens
few friends shut their eyes to every
thing against them and openly predict
ed that be would be retained and vindl-
Gated by the Board. And even after the
Chair of English, 0gdeR's chair, had
been consolidated with Prof. Reynolds
chair and given to that gentleman, Og-
den gave out that he could have his old
position 10 the University next Septem-
Der If he chose to go back. The ridic-
ulousness OF this is apparent to every
one here, inasmuch as 1t Is al open Sc
cIet that 0gden's only supporters In the
Board last June were Major Bennett
and one or two men who lent their sup
port TO Ogden solely on account OF their
personal animosity 70 Turner.
A member OF the Board before leav-
ing here this morning said in substance
to a REGISTER reporter: a. you knoD
| have always been strong Turner
man. One of my reasons for this was
that the fight made against Turner
was simply the outcome OF scheme
concoted by his enemies in the Faculty
and out Last June on test vote DR..
Turner had eight embers of the Board
solid, enough TO save bis neck. l then
felt, as did most OF DR.. Turner'S friends,
that lt would be impossible to bring
about any combination which would
cause his defeat. What was my sur
prise a week ago when l discovered
that two Of our friends had deserted to
the enemy. l knew then that we had
lost. The change OF heart of these two
Regents was brought about by certain
State politicians.
Now as to this combine in the Board
to compass the defeat OF some OF the
Professors 1t was this way. Prof. Alike
sons enemies refused to vote against
Turner unless Turner's enemies would
turn down Atkeson. The deal was
made and carried out. Then Prof.
Davenport who was opposed to Turner,
was naturally opposed by Turner men.
The day before the vote was taken on
Davenport'S case his friends claimed to
have eight votes promised for him, more
than enough to elect. When the time
came Davenport was promptly doWned
by the Turner men and several others.
The cases OF Davenport and Atkeson
have been referred to the Executive
Committee, which means that they Will
not be reelected. So far, however, l
have heard of no candidates for their
chairs. but they will certainly be filled
by new men. The Committee will meet
within the next thirty days.
IL is pretty we'll understood that one
reason for not re-electing a president at
once, Instead Of putting IL of until next
June, is the fact that no candidate FOR
the place has been able to develop suf-
ficient strength to trust to vote. The
Board mas been largely divided on near
" every important question aud 10 have
gone to balloting for a president would
only have preciptated long and bitter
fight, which would probably have been
fruitless of result. Besides, everyone
knows that Prof. Reynolds is very
competent man and has the respect and
confidence Of all the professors, and the
University will not suffer under his
management.