The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1910-04-21

The West Virginia Colored lnlsti-
tute a child of necessity, was created
by virtue Of an Act Of the State
Legislature passed in 1891.
The echo Of the speeches made on
the one hundredth anniversary Of
Justice S. Morrill,, the creator of all
land grant Colleges has scarcely
died away, and at no school which
owes It's origin to his wise legis-
laCon, were his acts along the line
given greater rcvered observance
than at the West Virginia ColoreI
Institute.
1t was the controlling purpose of
tho original bill as we well-know
that the interest arising from the
funds s~receiRed for the sale OF certain
public lands should be inviolably
appropriated, by each state etc, to
the endowment support, and main
tcnance Of at least one college where
the leading object shall be, without
excluding other scientific and class
ical studies and including military
tactics to teach such branches of
learning as are related to agriculture
and the mechanic. arts in such man
ner as the Legislatures of the States
may respectively prescribe, in order
to promote the liberal and practical
education Of the industrial classes
in the several pursuits and posses
sions OF life"
In order for the State to secure Il
r,f Iii, h>
lated amount of which was first pres
crihed in the National Acts Of 1890,
the West Virginia Colored Institute
was called into being, having for it
basic principle the golden idea en-
couched In the concluding sentence
Of the above. ~S... .'. >
Since 1886. when the first class
was graduated fourteen classes have
left its doors to try their fortunes
In the world For those first alumni
to return to the school Of today
wonderful indeed would seem the
many changes that have taken place
The old sweet gum tree under
whose fronded canopy the open ming
exercises were held, still stands
Keeping Its constant vigil: over the
buhbliMg, spring, but its once royal
chaplet and doughty limbs arc rag
ged and riven by the wear and tear
of the years. Where formerly one
]one building housed the first stud
cnts, a majestic groupe Of capacious
buildings now cover the campus,
forming plant that is known far
and wide as the heart Of an impulse
that is beating stronger and stronger
In harmony with the original purposH|
that the immortal Justin S. Morrill,
had in his far seeing eye.
The teaching force has increased
from two, the first president the late
James Edwin Campbell, and. Prof.
Prillerman, the pre.ent head Of the
institution to twenty.
The departments have have grown
to five for the co-eds and seven for
the young men. The increase I'M
students, while it mas been COM
mcndable. has not kept pace with
the rapid development Of the school
along other lines.
The State and Nation owe much
TO the late James McHenry Jones,
the fourth head OF our school. He
sleeps now out along the roadside
that leads to the station and the
river. Over his grave the myrtle
and rose will twinc in humble deco
ration. The student and friend, and
stranger will in years to come visit
his moltnd,r and, think kindly and
sadly. Of the great heart that there
lies illed Through his indefata
gable energy the present plant has
been established and by his sunny