Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-12-19
Messrs. Lewis and Barbe.

A well attended and very interesting
educational meeting was held in the
Courthouse here last Friday evening
State Supt. Virgil A. Lewis and Mr..
Waitman Il. Barbee, field agent of the
West Virginia University, being the
speake rs.
Mr.. Lewis's address was an argu.
ment to show that West Virginia en-.
joyed all the climatic conditions and
natural advantages, such as position,
elevation, &C., which had heretofore
produced the highest developments of
civilization. The best forms of civil
cation, he maintained, had always been
fonnd within belt of country embrac-
ing about five degrees of lati tude and
extending from the base Of the Kindoo
Koost mountains in Asia, west to the
Mississippi river. The countries
within this belt had mean tempera.
ture of 6S degrees, an elevation of
about 1000 feet above sea level, a pre-.
vailing southwest wind, with a noun.
tain chain to the east. West Virginia,
he said, was within this belt enjoying
all these advantages OF position and
climatic conditions, and here, at
the western base of the Appalachian
system Of mountains, he predicted that
the civilization of the race would reach
its highest perfection. 1t was an in.
structive and very entertaining ad.
drasa and wall caIonloto1 70 ,,ool,o 49, =
think. We are not satisfied, however
that the position taken by the speak ell
was fully proven, for though the best
developments of civilization heretofore
existing may have been found within
the belt described, it does not necessa.
rily follow that this civilization was
caused or produced by the climatic con-
ditions and physical features named,
for how could a civilization produced
by or dependent upon natural causes
still existing perish or become extinct;
If natural causes produce a state OF
civilization it seems to US they must
insure its perpetuation. We know
however, that the splendid civilization
Of Nivevah, Athens and other ancient
governments have utterly persisted
from the earth. How could this hap.
pen if civilization is dependent upon OF
produced by climatic conditions Oh
other natural causes still in full opera.
ton? The relation of cause and eff.
feet, it seems to us, does not exist be.
tween climatic conditions and the civ.
iliZation which has followed. The fact
that one thing follows another does not
necessarily establish a relationship of
cause and effect. Mr.. Lewis held his
audience in the closest attention, and
his address was of special interest to
the students of physical geography.
When he had concluded Mr.. Barbe
took the stand and spoke for half an
hour in the interest of our State Uni
yerslty. He said that the University
with its six large and handsome build.
ings. all we'll equipped, with it's faculty
of twenty-five professors, and fund of
800, 900 for use this year, was prepared
to afford and did afford educational ad.
vantages as good as those of any insti.
tuition of the kind in the South. There
are now at Morgantown, he said, 34C
students, about 40 of whom are young
ladies. All the counties in the State
(only one excepted) are represented and
the school is rapidly growing in public
favor. There are three professors in
the Law School with about 20 students
The Mechanic Arts department con.
tains over $40, 600 worth of the finest
and new est modern machinery and ap
pliances. In this department the
young men are taught to work i'm the
metals and in wood, and the principles
OF constructing power plants, water
works plants, bridges. buildings, &C.
The department of Pedagogy is il
charge of an educator of long and wide
experience and is thorough training
school for teachers. The Military de
partment is in charge OF an officer OF
the regular army and the drill is tn,
same as that at West Point. There is
thorough Preparatory department Il
tit students who 60 unprepared to entel
the regular university studies.
Mr.. Barbe is an enthusiastic frient
Of the University, and Is doing q fin,
/ work In showing up the advantages Il
offers to the young men and women Of
this State to whom tuition In all tn,