The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-15

sSSteNl,1 anu WHO was Iully awe 90 tne
needs OF the office.
THE LATE BISHOP CAMPBELL.
An Interesting Letter from his Son.
Facts Connected With Bsihany College.
From the st. Louis Christian Evan
gelist OF March 10: Much is at present
being published in the secular papers
OF this state West Virginia., Of the
pubic and private life OF Alexander
Campbell, his early Mfe, and his work
in the constitutional convention OF Vir-
ginia, in the year ls29 and 80. This
convention was the most distinguished
assembly OF men ever convened to
frame constitution In any state in the
Union. Two ex-Presidents, Madison
and Monroe--nlne ex-governors of the
state. Chief Justices Marshall, Ben;a-
min Watkins Leigh and John Randolph.
OF Roanoke. We're members Of this con-
vention. Philip Doddridge and Alexan-
der Campbell represented this conSres-
sional district. The published reports
OF the convention show the part taken
by them as Representatives and need no
comment or explanation at this date.
All the actors in that convention have
passed over the dark river"
This was the only political service
outside Of his writings ever rendered
by Alexander Campbell.
It is Of his labors Inv founding and car
rying on Bethany college. of which I
wish to say most. Very few OF his CO.
temporaries Of that date remain, and
1t Is my intention TO make note OF mat
tiers never touched upon by his bIog-
raphers, or any one who has written OF
him. They did not write these facts,
because they did not know many of
them. Alexander Campbell never had q
confidant II his private affairs, outside
OF very narrow family circle. He
never mentioned money matters at ia
BILE, or in the presence OF his assembled
family. and never had time nor inclIna-
ton for any kind OF traffic except occa-
sionally to purchase q tract of land
when urged upon him. have heard
him say he never tried to make dollar
for the sake Of the money-in his life.
He carried in his pocket small men,
orandum-booS, IN which he made, note
OF all his daily transactions. and at the
end Of each week, when at home, hand
ed this book to his clerk and took new
one for the next week. These books
were transcribed into regular books by
his clerk, Cancelled ana laid carefully
away. u
may here say that during his whole
active business life he had but two
clerks. in whom he placed the most i'm
plicit CONFERENCE.-The W. L. II. Army,
who was afterwards governor OF New
Mexico and q widely known public man;
secondly, relative, James A. Camp
bell, an accomplished. expert book
keeper. was In his office twenty-eight
years, and a year or more after his
death. He Is now living In Portland,
Oregon. q;
These two men Kept his business office
in the most accurate manner. to the
most minute details. as also all the coll
lege accounts OF every kind. Once a
year they made for him an exhibit OF all
business transactions and a balance
sheet. These books now nave In per-
feet state OF preservation.
From some time in the thrt!es he
kept his bank account with the branch
OF the Northwestern Bank Of Virginia,
OF WellsburE. OF which Mr.. Samuel ia
cob wns cashier. Mr.. Jacob wac o very
palnstakirg and accurate accountant,
and In making up his bauk-book, made
note Of the name in whose favor the
check was drawn. Mr.. Campbell sell
dom, if ever, made q check on print
ed blank, but wrote the body OF the
check In full. have frequently given
them to friends who have written or
asked for his autograph. During his
whole editorial career with the Chris
tian Baptist and Allllennial Harblnger
he never allowed the name Of sub
scrlber to be stricken from the books
for non-payment of subscription TIL
some time in the tifties. he was pre-
vailed upon to adopt the club system,
which lie. always regretted, as ut the
end OF the year, unless renewed, the
club was stricken from the books,
whereas, under the old system, sub
scrlbcrs would have the papers to read,
and would sometimes pay In full. after
q lapse of twenty or twenty-five years!
The first meeting or the board OF
trustees Of Bethany college was held at
Bethany. Va, on May II, 1870. Thomas
Campbell was called to the chair and
W, L. NJ. Army was appointed secretary.
The second annual meeting was held
May 10, 1871, when ION motion OF DIR.
Robert Richardson It was unanimously
resolved that the secretary procure Il
book, in which 1t shall be his duty TO
record the name Of each contributor,
with the nature and amount of his
contribution, which shnl be always
open to Inspection This order was
strictly observed. and every dollar or
half-dollar contributed was recorded
and can this day be accounted for.
Much has been said and reports cir
culatcd by those interested as to the
financial management OF Bethany col
lego. If the true facts were known and
understood the wonder would be how so
much had been accomplished with such
limited means. An error was commits
ed In borrowing from the endowment
fund TO keep the college alive In years
when there was deficiency In tuition
and interest 10 meet current expenses.
The question Is whether 1t would have
been better to have continued US was
done. TO send out educated young men.
Here let me say that 1t Is the ex-
pressed opinion Of many That the great
convention. held at indianapolis last
October. Of which SO much has been
written. would not have been possible
had Bethany college never existed. The
board OF trustees was always composed
OF men known widely for their devotion
10 the cause Of education. who came,
annually. Mt their own expense, freely
giving of tlair limo mi, tnat, n ~ n =, 10