The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-01-29
Martin Female College.

NIX. COITOR .-I lease STdub ne
the use of your valuable columns
for the purpose of calling the atten
ton of the citizens of Pulaski and
Giles county to Martin College. l
write solely upon my own motion,
and not at the instance of the able
and devoted president of the col
lege or any member, of the board of
trustees. Having for several
months studied the situation and
measured the possibilities of an in
stitution of learning in such a
building, in such community and
under such management, l am pre-
pared to speak upon the RESPONSE
bility of my own judgment.
Sensible, practical men can appre
ciate facts and figures and will
know what uses to make of them.
Martin College was founded by
that prince of great aid good men,
Mr.. Thos. Martin, whose name
it bears, and to whose large-hearted
liberality and christian enterprise
it will be a splendid monument,
not only in the grounds and
buildings, but in the refinement and
culture Of the homes of this land
for generations to come. The
buildings, with ample grounds,
tastefully ornamented. were pur
chased In 1876, and added to by the
erection OF suitable and ample
buildings for school and boarding
purposes, all at cost of nearly
$50, 600. There is an endowment
fund of $4,000 invested in state
bonds and bearing ak per cent. In
terest, payable semi annually.
There is now a debt OF $4,000
on the property, incurred in the
erection of the new buildings
which were necessary for school,
purposes, to the liquidation of
which the interest on the endow-
ment fund has been applied as q
sinking fund, at least, so much of
the interest as could be spared for
that purpose. In this way and by
subscriptions the debt has been re
duced from $4,000 to $4,000. Any
one accustomed to teaching in
schools of high grade, or who is ia
miliar with the equipment of first
class institutions of learning in 9th
er sections of the country, can see
at a glance through Martin College
that the interest on the endowment
is greatly needed in the college it
self, and not dollar of it should go
to pay the debt. The bare walls of
ample and elegant buildings do not
constitute a college. Teachers,
however competent and devoted
conscientiously to duty cannot, of
themselves, make a college, even
when they have plenty of pupils and
school books. With all of these
you can only have a good common
school, and not college. The his
tory of higher education has dem
onstrated the necessity OF certain
adjuncts to the teachers work.
without which the highest educa-
tion and culture cannot be at
tanned. All colleges that deserve
the name are supplied with them,
and consider success without them
impossible. Let me Indicate some
of them: A library; a well fur
nished art department; chemical
and philosophical apparatus. But
1 need not multiply for a people
who know that Martin College has
nothing of the sort. Its very DIES
titution cries out against the policy
pursued by its managers, while they
have the easiest and speediest means
of relief Shall l indicate it? Let
the trustees have higher concep-
tions of their responsibilities and
opportunities; let them enter upon
a higher and more liberal policy for
the college and resolve to build up
such an institution OF learning as
their resources will justify and the
times demand. Let them provide
for the debt at once and then use
the interest on the endowment
fund to equip and thoroughly fur
nish the college with every facility
for the higher culture Of the daugh
tiers of the south. The college is
now struggling for a living and
longer delay may be disastrous.
The pressing Importance of the
subject 1 respectfully commend to
the consideration of the trustees
and friends of the college, promis.
ing that l am by no means done
with the subject.