The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-01-24
The Agricultural College - Location
and Surroundings.
To the Editor of the Comet

To the Editor OF the Comet:
Adopting the maxim that an honest con-
fession is good for the soul, your correspon-
dent claims the privilege of giving public
expression to complete change of scnti-
ment in regard to the location and probable
success of the Agricultural College as Il
State enterprise.
When this institution was about to be es-
tablished, |, like everybody else in this eX-
tensive commonwealth, though it ought to
be placed in my immediate neighborhood,
and especially as | lived in what is called
the much-neglected Southern portion of
the State. This was perfectly natural.
Men, in their domestic relations, are not
only like cats, attached to localities; but
they are governed to some extent by sec
tiona pride and personal interest.
| In every competitive effort of this char
acter there is mnch of poor, weak human
nature that comes to the surface in the
| form of unmistabe sefishness. This is
shown by some men, perhaps, in nothing
more than disposition to find fault and
blame others for doing what they them
selves undertook but failed to accomplish.
The sour grapes have set their teeth on
edge.
just here, in this perverse disposition of
men, lies danger to the successful deyel-
opment of great and needed work
In a matter of SO great value to the people
of Mississippi as the establishment of an
industrial college where any doubt, fear, or
misglvings arise as to the propriety of the
course pursued by those who are entrusted
with its management it becomes the good
citizen to reflect upon all the circumstances
and facts which may have influenced their
action before rendering a judgment adverse
to the interests involved.
Desiring to act on this principle, and
having heard much said about the College
being located at can insignificant and out
of-the-way place." and feeling somewhat
disappointed at the prospect of an institu-
ton so anxiously looked to by our people,
the writer resolved to see for himself, and
discover, if possible, why gentlemen of SUI
perior intelligence and unquestionable in
tegrity should have committed so great
blunder, if, in truth, such was the case.
So, during the holidays, he left the South
ern part of the State in the evening, and,
after ride Of two hundred miles, arrived
az Starkville, the county town of Oktibbeha. |
1t is not city, nor, indeed, an inland town
of the first magnitude. But, according to
the commercial standard of valuation, it is a |
place of decided Importance, as shown by |
the receipts at the railroad office of the
number of bales of cotton already shipped. |
Besides this, and the usual pursuits of
industry, special attention has been given
in this locality, by gentlemen of enterprise,
to raising and handling thoroughbred
stock, and with marked success. But all
this, and much more that might be said. is
only incidental to the point in view, name
y, the suitableness of the place selected
for this new seat of learning.
Being a stranger, and at leisure, fair OPP
Dortunities were afforded for seeing and
hearing in the greater part of two days
enough to satisfy me, beyond the shadow of
l doubt, that the Board of Trustees had not
'nly acted in good faith, but the evidence
If wise discrimination in their choice of
ocation was to be seen on every hand.
Ny convictions on this point are clear and
trong, and are founded upon the following
acts and considerations
First-As to the general reputation of
hat locality for uniform good health there
Gems to be no question.
There are in the neighborhood no swamps
+ extended low lands producing local eau
es of sickness. The surrounding country
: moderately rolling, and sufficiently di-
ersifcd with timber TO secure a healthful ,
quilibrium between the poisonous gases I
enerated by the ground and those absorbed |
y the foliage of the trees.
The next, if not really the first, consid- I
ration is the moral atmosphere in and {
round Starkyile. An observing man can
ot visit the place without being impressed Z
y the fact that he is in the midst of dis J
'eet and sober people. There is not sa- 5
on or drinking house in the town. and If
'rreetly Informed none has ever existed.
or intelligence, social culture and religious
orth the community stands, in the estima-
on Of all who know It, prominently high. f
The fact that starkville is small town. D
so far as the College is concerned, rather 0
argument in its favor. II is large q
Ough to furnish all the facilities that such Il
Institution may require. without being Il
'ge enough 70 conceal those moral defor- :.
ties and sinks Of iniquity which are so n
ldy to obtrude themselves wherever Il
Jung men are copyrighted. The same q
mark is true Of the Branch Railroad on OF
ich the College Is situated as compared u u
Ii the main lines Of travel The less Of :, -
yn, and the less Of railroad an institution ~
.his kind has to do with, the better. 20
tsrkville and its branch road. which con- ct