West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-04-04


on the money invested, as other
lines already in operation IN the
county are said to pay from fifteen
10 twenty per cont. Now. wouldn't
1t DO "a good idea for the public
spirited citizens of Hazelton To rise
up and erect line from their little
town TO connect with the above line
at ChidesteIs? This would make
pretty complete not. work of tele.
phone lines throughout the county,
and put nearly every part in direct
and instant communication with
every other part. 1t might dis
courage that branch of the horse
industry which is usually carried
on between dark aud dawn, but
would not prove detrimental TO any
other business.
-
Faith In the Cheat river ruilroad
rs still alive and kicking ut Marsdem
.ud ether points along the proposed
route. Parties have been invesu.
ga'lng the coal deposits, and quiet.
ly buying up the eleven foot vein.
which exists in limited quantity on
the east side. THIS vein is said to
resemble closely the anthracite coal
OF Pennsylvania. to be free from
sulphur, and to consist OF almost
pure carbon. 1t is more valuable
than any other coal in the hills of
Preston, and is said 80 have been
already secured in great part by
capitalists from Ncw York, INTRO
duced here by George l.. Mrrsden.
And this reminds me. The hole
which was bored at tho mouth of
Muddy Creek, and which was sup
POSED 10 be an OIL we'll, was simply
put down by New York capitalists
for the purpose of determining the
geological forma,ion--o rather of
hnhing out what c,nl veins existed
and whether the eleven foot vein
above referred to actually lay where
other investigation had led experts
30 suppose it was locucd. When
they were satisfied on that point
work was suspended. And since
that time charts have hung on the
walls OF New York Offices which
reveal far more in reg ,rd u our
coal fields than was VI is Known by
any citizen Of Preston county, ia
Guiding the men who own the soil.
-
Is 1t possible that the public
schools Of Preston county are be
coming less efficient than they were
few years ago. or quarter of a
century ago: | confess this i'm 9.
preston has been m lde on my
mind. and my interests have com
pellcd me 10 take note Of the com.
try schools for some yc,rs. Others
have expressed the samu opinion M
my hearing. Perhaps it is not too
much 10 say that there exists wide
dissatisfaction with the wlv school
affairs have been managed in this
county during the last ten years.
and that crisis is coming. The
opinio is general that nonessentials
and artificial adjuhots have largely
taken the place Of fundamenial
principles III the educatiou Of our
youth. Some attribute this TO the
manifest HegleCtfO SNpGriutend which
mas unfortunately characterized the
incumbency Of several 'Of our recent
50 oalled SuperiHksRaeHIS think
that ~ only - symptom of the gen
VIZ h'NNA'iiF' ~ NCbyNA NAdkbtIbs
but ] may be- mistaken. Certainly
careful attention 20 dnty on the
part Of the superintendent would
have some effect tOward Keeping the
teacher vigllant and active. But
unless the ideal pu ublIc school ex-
lsted IN the brain of the superinten
dent and OF the teacher. IL could
never exist ~ the scboolr0Om. and
| apprehend that this is the root of
the trouble. We want men Of
larger calIbsr aud greater experience
for superintendeBts ABOVE all, wC
1 need men who are ~ dead earnest.
men who do not use the Office
merely as 4 stepping Stone 20 some
other profession. And We need a
revival among the teachers. Their
office IS important and holy. They
need TO DO baptized with new
sense OF its dignity, aud an Old
fashioned sense Of tho important
duties IL ctrries with IL. These are
above money considerations and
beve no market prico. ~ the mopey
offered as salary for superintendent
and teacher docs not pay YOU fOr
yunr fiunu 10 hnuoaf ouI L.or 80,