The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-10
speelaI plspateh b the IntellIgeneer.

Recently there have appeared in a few
papers some vicious and totally false
publications concerning the University,
its president and. Dr.. Lester E. Ward.
one OF the Instructors for the summer
quarter, emana.!pg from malicious
sources, and calculated to injure the
reputation of the institution. One Of
these publications was unit for publica-
tion In any newspaper and was ,llbelous
In the highest degree. In 1t Dr.. Ward,
who Is probably the most eminent soclO-
logist in the world, Is held up as adyo-
eating doctrines he never dreamed of,
and scandalous conduct is alleged
against him.
The article, which purports 10 be
MorgantoWn special alleges various
things against President Raymond,
falsehoods OF the most malicious char
acter. An allegation that he referred
to West VIrginlans as "haw-eaters' Is
one Of the least of these llbels, Who
ever is responsible for these vile and un-
truthful dispatches" to the press, or
whoever has inspired them, must have q
purpose In view, which is more than
likely to develop sooner OF later.
President sIurgisS speak,.
Hon. George C. sturgiss, president Of
the board of regents of the University,
together with all real friends of the Uni
verslty, and men Of the highest eharac-
ter. are Justly Indignant at the evident
conspiracy to in1ure the usefulness OF
the state's chief educational Institution,
and denounce the publications that have
appeared AZ totally false. &r. Stufsiss,
whose high character Is SO well known
throughout the state, and whose word
carries with 1t conviction. has handed
the following open etter to the 1ntelli-
Gencer, with the request that 1t be pub
Hshed over his signature:
ApoRGANToWN, w. Va, Aug 8. '9s.
To me Edltor of the Intelllgencer.
SIR:-My attention has been repeat
edly called to the gross misrepresentn-
lions relating to the West Virginia uni
versity, its president and one OF It's in-
structors, pGrporting to emanate from a
special correspondent at this place, and
calculated to greatly injure the uniVer-
sity, and it's president and instructors,
unless corrected.
'The eminent sociologist" referred to,
who is an accomplished scholar and au-
thor, Is curator of the museum OF FOSSIL
plants In the Smithsonian Institution, Is
a man of about sixty years OF age. OF
eminent character and responsibility,
whose home in Washington Is the center
Of a refined and cultured circle, and
against whom no criticism Affecting his
character or Teetitude has ever been
heard, He receives the munidcent sum
OF 5000 for his services as instructor for
the summer quarter He never "ex-
pressed disApproval Of marriage" nor
declared "the Bible an exploded myth"
in any Of his lectures under the aus
pices Of the university. The gossip that
couples his name in any improper way
with a female pupil is without any foun-
dalton In fact, and does a cruel wrong to
both parties, and IS too baseIeSs and In
tangible to amount tn charge or accu-
sation, and no one can be found TO tather
it. President Raymond did not hear his
J alleged utterances on marriage and con-
tempt for It, for no such utterances were
ever made.
The lectures referred 10 were public,
and listened to by matured and cultured
men and women, including Judge Okey
johnson, Professor Harry S. Greene, Of
Bethany College, the pastors OF several
Of the churches In this place, and others,
many OF whom took full shurt-hand
notes Of what was said, and all unite IN
saying that the language and sentiment
attributed to him was not uttered.
President Raymond has not Deep
heard TO call West Virginians 'haw-
eaters or to express surprise that uni
yersity existed at all among such peo-
pIe." No such language was used by
him, He does not "alm to build up a
feeder for Chicago University" There
IS not a person In the employ OF the uni-
yerslty who was citizen Of Chicago at
the time of his election or appointment.
Il Is not true that DR.. Raymond would
ike 10 replace all West ViTgiRlahs with
persons from Chicago University" nor
Is ne working to that end. The change
In the librarian referred to included
many additional lines Of work, and
much longer hours and no increase In
the number Of assistants. nor was CHI
cago woman appointed or elected.
The summer school will cost the state
less than $1,000. No professor Is COM
PEELED to teach more than three quarters
in the year, and each my take his
vacation during any quarter that ne
may choose. provided his classes are so
arranged as not 70 interfere With the due
progress OF his students. Some OF the
professors are taking their vacation
now, Others teaching now will take
their vacation at some other season.
Dr. Raymond's Administration.
President Raymond was elected a
year ago to-day, by the unanimous vote
Of the regents, after ten days dellbera-
tion. and canvass OF many aSpirants. He
mad 'po pulp with the regents or any
body else In the state. He was elected
on merit. The regents gave him their
confidence. He asked to be authorized
% establish four quarters Of "condnu-
Gus session" system. although II I'M
posed upon him greatly Increased labor,
and ne asked no increase In pay. He
mas tolled prOdiRiously, night and day.
He has brought together for the sum-
mer quarter great array AZ instructors,
and secured the cordial cooperation OF
mis- colleagues, none Of whom have been
forced to teach during this quarter but
nearly all have rendered willing service
in the interest OF the university and the
state. About $50 students are In attend
ance on this quarter. a number greater
than during any full year In the first mr.
teen years OF the history Of the untver-
sity.
About 800 students have been enrolled
within che first year OF President Ray
mOnd's administration, or moro than 200
over the highest enrolment In the most
prosperous OF any preceding year He
has advised the establishment OF nddi-
tionai schools or departments when twas
apparent they were needed, and when