Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-07-17

Discussed by Prominen
Speakers Heard on Important Sub
jeets.
The first Educational Confercnc,
in West Virginia to be held unde
the auspices of the University bega1
in Commencement Hall this morning
at nine clock.
Nearly all of those here to attend
the Conference were out early enough
to hear the second lecture of DR.. &c
Whites series. This was given al
| s o'clock in Room 81, WOODBURY.
Hall. DR.. Whites subject this
morning was "West Virginia Goa
Fields. The theme was one thai
appealed to all tor more reasons thar
one, the most potent of which wal
that it had. to do with the secret Of
the States greatness. 1t was heard
with rapt attention because the
| speaker is the greatest authority or
the subject in the State. Those who
heard him knew that his words were
the best that could be spoken.
| All of the educators who were ex.
pected to take part in today's pro
gram are here with the exceptions
uoted in yesterdays New DOMINION
named, DIR. John Wier, Prof. L. J.
Corbly and Prof. E. F. Goodwin
Their presence is slight indication
OF the Importance of this Conference
and an earnest of what good may re-
suit to the cause of education on
account of it.
DIR. d. b. Purinton, president oil
the University head of the
highest educational institution in
West Virginia, is presiding at the
meetings. He opened the session at
nine o'clock this morning with an
address of cordial welcome, in which
he stated briefly the purpose of the
Conference and something of what
it was hoped it would accomplish.
The session was opened with
prayer. Mr.. G. H. Cole. superin-
tendent of the Martinsburg schools
was chosen secretary of the meeting
and the discussion of the grand
theme of the relation OF the normal
schools to the University was be
gun.
Principal John c. Shaw, of the
Glennville State Normal opened the
discussion. He treated that phase
! of the question which has to do with
the professional work of both. His
address was followed by some gen
eral discussion.
Principal w. L. MCGOWAN Of the
West Liberty Normal treated the
relation ofthe schools in preparatory
work. This is matter that is near
to the hearts of the normal school
principals and the University in
structors. Prof. McCowan's remarks
engendered a lively discussion in
which number OF those present
took part. There is evidently a
slight feeling of antagonism,o or some
thing less, between the normals
and the University on this point
If the present conference removes
this it will have accomplished a
great work.
The normal schools and high
schools seem to resent to some ex
tent the University's practice of not
giving full credit for college work
done by them and regard the pre-
paratory school here al Morgantown
as depriving them of students right
fully their own.
Superintendent Cole said that in
his opinion the best way to build up
the high schools of the state was to
abolish the preparatory school at
the University. Students who in
tended to enter college preferred to
come to the University preparatory
to preparing in their home schools
simply becauae of the glamor of the
name "University."
Dr. Purinton had occasion to de-
clare his sentiments in regard to the
preparatory school when this point
was raised. There were about thirty
five SO called high schools in West
Virginia. Of these only tour were
ON the University's accredited list.
About Is per cent. of the students
who came to the University needed
preparation to enter the Freshman
class. Where were they to get it if
not here? Theoretically, he believed
there should be no preparatory work
done here, but practically, it was
impossible to get along without it.
Principal MCGOWAN raised the
point that while a student could
prepare for the freshman class by
two years work in the preparatory
school, it required four years to dc
it in the normal schools. Prof
Hodges showed plainly that this il
not the case, and appealed it to Prof
Hare for confederation.
i Acting Principal M. q. Tough, Of
the FaiImont Normal school read q
very interesting paper ON the relation
of the University and Normal School.
ia the supply of the state teaching
force OF all grades. He objected very
strongly to filling the normal school!
with teachers, graduates OF the Uni
versity who had made nc study what
ever OF the science and art OF teaching
with view Of making it profession
A knowledge of the subject tough
seemed to be regarded as the one thini