Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-12-06

ton have sought admission into the Acade-
nv furnishes the best evidence of its value
to the State in the past and of its usefulness
as a part of our present education system.
No settlement has yet been effected of the
claim of the State against the Federal Gov
ernment for the use and occupation of the
buildings of the Academy. The Federal
Government held possession of these build
ings for about seventeen yearSafter the close
of the civil war. During that time one of
the wings was destroyed by fire. No COM
pensation has ever been made to the State
for the use of the buildings or for the de-
struction of the wing. A claim for such
compensation is now pending before the
secretary of war. There can be no doubt that
this claim will be equitably adjusted. The
building is now, as it was at all times since
it's erection, the property of the State. All
that the State asks is that just and reasona-
BILE compensation be made for the use dur
ing time of peace of one of its public build
ings and for the damage inflicted upon it.
| If anything could add to the strength of
this claim, it is the fact that the sum which
will be paid by the Federal Government
will be used for educational purposes. In
creased accommodations for officers and ca
diets at the Academy are now much needed,
and additional apparatus will soon be re-
quired for scientific instruction.
THE SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE.
The South Carolina College is now thor
oughly reorganized. sbuildings have been
repaired, its grounds improved, and its sew
eral departments fairly equipped. Itsteach-
ing force consists Of president, seven pro-
fessors and three tutors. It offers nine dis
tinct courses of study, five of them degree
courses of four years each, and four shorter
or special courses Of two years each. Some
of the latter are intended to fit young men
for the practical duties of life and provide
for technical training in the laboratory and
field. Arrangements have also been made
for postgraduate instruction. Students are
now found in every one Of the courses. In
the work of reorganization the aim through
out has been to make the education provl-
ded for thorough and liberal, and to bring it
rowest means. The catalogue of last year
shows total enrolment Of 1856 students.
The attendance this year is still more graft
flying. Up to this time ITO have matricula-
ted-a gain of twenty as compared with the
enrolment at the same period last year.
The Agricultural Department is being de-
veloped as rapidly as the state of the finan-
ces will allow. Stock and farm machinery
have been purchased, a green house has been
built and stocked with valuable plants, silos
constructed, an experimental orchard plant
ed, and twenty acres Of land set apart for
experimental purposes. About $50 expert
ments with wheat, oats, corn, cotton, ensl-
lage and new crops were made this season.
The results will be published in pamphlet
form and distributed among the farmers OF
the State. Agriculture is one of the re-
quired studies in all the courses except the
classical. Of the nine courses Of study Of
fered by the College, twO-a degree course
of four years, and shorter course of two
RI cfs, hia in
stitution gives promise of great future use
fulness. It has certainly done noble work
for the State in the past, and yet something
more than it's re-establishment upon it's for
mer basis is required to bring it up to the
highest standard of efficiency. 1t must be
adapted to the requirements of our times
and the present condition Of our people.
Such adaptation is also called for by the Act
of Congress to which the College owes its
permanent endowment.
The age is one of marvellous intellectual
activity, and its chief characteristic is the
spirit of scientific Investigations spirit
which has given wonderful development
to the several departments of pure science.
The enterprise of the day has been quick to
appropriate to it's own use the achievements
of science and to apply them to the practical
purposes of life TO these numberless appli-
cations our material prosperity must in large
part be ascribed. They have opened up
new departments of industry, new fields
for educational labor. A young man Of cul-
ture and talent is no longer forced to look
solely to what are known as the learned
professions for wealth and fame. The high
est walks of pure and applied science are
now open to him, and offer full scope for
the display of his powers
Results have proven the wisdom OF the
policy which guided the councils of the
College in the past-the earnest purpose to
send forth thorough scholars fitted by
severest classical discipline to lead the
senate, the pulpit and the bar. Let this
still be the policy of the College; but let it
also aspire to do something more-to hold q
foremost place in the march Of scientific
discovery, and to send forth young men
training to lead in the development Of the
State-its fields, mines and quarries, its rail-
roads and water power, its manufactures
and commerce.
Lam not informed as to what appropria-
tion will be asked for to maintain the Mill
tary Academy or the South Carolina College
during this fiscal year. These institutions,
if properly maintained, will contribute to
the highest interests of the State, and l
earnestly recommend that such appropria-
tions be made for their support as will in
CFeuSe tllelF GlllCleIlCS tHu pfOlIlOtS Lllell
full development.
THE INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF
THE DEAF AND DUMB AND THE BLIND.
The report of the superintendent of this
institution gives fully the history of its op-
erations during the last year. The enrol
ment of pupils was 72-an increase Of 10
over the number in attendance at the date
of the last annual report. A department
for the colored has been established. Three
colored pupils have been admitted and 9TH
ers who have applied for admission will
soon be received.
The schools for white and colored pupils
are conducted in different buildings and are
separate and distinct, but under the same
general management. Pupils are required,
board and tuition in whole or in part; but
most of the pupils are unable to contribute
to their own support and are maintained at
the expense of the State.
Special attention is paid to giving the
pupils practical instructions in such indus
trial pursuits as they will be able to follow
after leaving the institution. This institu-
tion is performing efficiently that important
work for which it was designed-the fitting
of the afflicted youth Of both sexes for the
duties of life.
The general management compares favor
ably with that of any other institution Of
like character in the country, and reflects
credit upon the superintendent and his as
sstants.
The appropriations asked for are $4,000
for the support of the institution, 500 for
repairs and $4,000 for the erection of a
wing to the main building. The centre
building and one wing were erected in
L. Il CO.