The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-12-07
ABBEV1LLE H. SOUTH CAROLINA MORNING. DECEMBER 1885,

an examination Of the papers and cores
pondence which are herewith transmitted.
The balance, after deducting brokerage,
amounting to sGoo.59, together with sl7,-
1865 previously received, have depos-
tied with the Treasurer of the Upper Di-
vision.
A Report from the Commissioners of the
New State Capitol will be found among
the documents accompanying this mes
sage. In accordance with your instructions
they have changed the site Of the building,
and modified their plans 80 as to remedy
the defects in their former structure. The
walls for the foundation have risen above the
surface Of the ground, and as r re than one
hundred and forty laborcrs are employed
on the work, its further progress will be
rapid and gratifying 1t appears to me,
though pretending to no skill in such mat
tcrs, that the new masonry is very much supc-
rior to the old. The large regular hammered
stone, arranged in horizontal layers of
equal thickness, gives it solid and substan-
tial appearance, which forbids any fear of a
! catastrophe such as bcfel the former struc-
ture. The bonds of the State issued for
this building have all been disposed of, and
of their proceeds only enough remains on
hand to meet the wants of the present year
Although the finances Of the State demand
the strictcst economy and the most careful
husbandry of our resources, us the Capitol
has been begun by your authority, and is
much needed by the State, would suggest
liberal appropriations for its progress and
completion. There is no propriety in pro-
tracing the work for six or eight years,
when it may be finished in three or four
The longer the time of building this struc-
tnrc, the greater will be the expense to the
State, so that true economy will recommend
its speedy completion.
The South Carolina College is in more
flourshing condition than it has ever been
since its establishment. It's administration
is able and faithful, and am assured that
the spirit OF study has never been more gencr-
al, nor the bearing of the students more manly.
1t is objected by some to the, Institution
that its advantages are confined to particu-
lar class and calculations have been made
to show at what cost to the State these ad-
vantagcs have been enjoyed. I respectfully
submit that its benefits are not to be esti-
mated by the standard of dollars and cents.
If its founders had made it question of
arithmetic, it would never have been estab-
lishcd. And if it is to be judged ny that
standard, then perhaps it may be said to
have failed. But if the spread Of knowl-
edge and thirst for its acquisition-if the
development and expansion of intcllcct-ifi
pure morality, manly sentiment, refined
taste, ard elevated thought-if these are
riches to people, then has the Institution
been a mine Of wealth to the State-tbus
fully justifying the liberal policy which has
always sustained it.
1t is greatly to be regretted that Presi.
dent Thornwel's determination to withdraw
from its government remains UNCHANGED.
l regard bis retirement public loss. He
has discharged the arduous trust with une-
qualled ability and success, and i'm thus Off
ciaIly noticing his resignation, / feel that I !
pay but mcrted tribute to uncommon
worth and rare endowment.
On the Goth of January, that portion of
the College buildings known rs the East
Wing and Centre Building of Rutledce
College was totally destroyed by fire. The
West Wing was saved, but in sucl, dam
aged condition assto render its continued
occupancy extremely uncomfortable, if not
positively dangerous. The Inconvenience
to which the College was. subjected by this
disuster were SO great, and the demand
for the reconstruction Of the buildings SO
urgent, that special meeting Of: the Board
OF Trustees was called, in the hope that some
scheme might be suggested, by which the
buildings could be replaced without waiting
for special appropriation from tho Legis.
lIature. Tho evils to be apprehended from
delay were numerous and grave. It wolili
have kept the College for two full sessions
in a condition altogether unfit for the &C.
sommodatlon conn OF students: applicants would
have been deferred form entering, or if they
i had been disposed to come, could not have
oeen received. The students now in atten-
danceswould have been crowded together
for a year longer, exposed to the temptations|
to idleness and dissipation, which such a
state OF things naturally Sengenders. The
College at the time of the fire was II, d, con
dition of growing prosperity, aud II It had
been allowed to receive q shock, which would
have been the case had no interest beeDd
manifested in It's repaiatioD, Sthe .conse- II
quepces might have been permanently dis
astrous. The Board was so sensible of.thess
evils, thatgit resolved to rebuild at ofce. and 7,
to pledge as far as its was competent to do I,
30, the faith Of Tie, Legislat ures II The 5casa
seemed soo plain e e eft doubts hsI,
Legislat,'te B could not spffer The CoIlegs DIi
fe 81 tlaeses Mas aopnse q appas as
rent Glaim bon the State BS al / Adf1 Sfl;
Ial8st Abe ptreiler Gepara s@as feGHised h
sInqsttE sta jnsiife 8shs COLLEGE BIil d}SSn "a
9Th lbsyexe esption IN s*oli