The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1883-05-30

eXpectcd, duplicating high military anu civil
authorities In the gambling practices which
have existed here for some time, and many
sensational stories arc told Of The amounts OF
none won and lost By various fortunate and
unfortunate men OF high rank and position:
All these stories appear TO be mere rumors
and nothin: more thus far, ana 1t IS to DC
horcd, for The honor Of the army, at least,
that they will turn out to be destitute Of foun-
datiUn.
The New President Of the South Caro-.
lima College.
1Ncuy and C0ufcr.1
The President CT the South Carolina College
occupies a position of dignity and influence,
both real and traditional, which makes him
an object OF Interest TO all the peuplcOf south
Carolina. F0resceing with certainty tic action
OF the Board Of Trustees, ms foreShadowed also
by public expectation, we had prepared our
selves to give an authentic sketch OF the dis
.tingniShcd gentleman who has just been
elected TO this high position.
James McLarcn McBryle was born In ABB.
S Se0iIIs' descent 5: Si on On t bati, sides ia% liz un was Dr. %!
John McLaren. was well known as one Of the
most eminent surgeons OF the United states
Army and served with our Palmetto regiment
during the Mexican war. President McBryde
received his early training at Abbeville. and
entered the Sophomore class in the South
Carolina Collegei In january, 1850. At the end
of the year he stood at the head OF his class,
lIlu IOSO vi III llttr l'"s ~ t'N
spring he was compelled to withdraw by fall
Ing health, and the following fall, for tho bcnc-
fit OF a naturally delicate constitution, he was
advised to 70 to the University of Virginia.
Early In 1861 South Carolina called her sons TO
arms. and young McBryde at once left College,
returned home, and entered the military
service of his native State q private In Inc Al
bevillc company which formed part of MaXcy
Gregg's First South Carolina Regiment. with
this regiment he shared arduous service In
South Carolina and In Virginia. until 1t was
rcorsanized on the expiration OF ITS six
months service. He then returned to Able
vile, assisted in raising a cavalry company,
Of which he was orderly sergeant, and which
was assigned TO Col. las. Il. Blnck's battalion
afterwards reglment) Of South Carolina
Cavalry. With this regiment he remained In
active service near Charleston until stricken
down with camp fever. and WAS SO left, at the
point Of death, when the command was order
ed 10 Virginia, Col. Black even giving ar
Judgements for the burial OF his favOrite young
orderly before his departure. Recovering
after several months confinement he was
compelled to accept his discharge from the
tary Memmingcr TO Il responsible position In
the Confederate States Treasury Department,
In which he remained TIL the end of the war,
accompanying the retreat Of the Department
from Richmond. In 1863 he had been mar
ried in Richmond to n daughter of DR.. James
Bolton. q distinguished physician ofthnt city,
O lady who now, with her interesting children,
is well qualified to ad0rn the Presidents
house with n traditional elegance and hospl.
tality.
Returning to Virginia Mr.. Mcl'ryde settled
rs 81 farmer ln Buck inghnm County, but soon
afterwards removed to AlbcmarIc County. the
garden spot Of the State In Agriculture Here
he soon became one Of the most successful
and progressive Of Virginia hrmerS but while
acted in bis business he still continued his
cnrly studies In science, and gave to his
neighEors the valuable example which he has
since illustrated in larger SphcrcS-of the
union of accurate srientiiic thought and en-
L--i -o .t it tto; 4. .>r,-t in.l - ti.-, n
Successful farming. He was one Of the loun,
ders and afterwards president Of the celebrated
Belmont Farmers Club. whose reputation and
influence . were remarkably extensive and
farming throughout Virginia., In lS7d he was
appointed Il member OF the Miller board ol
trustees Of the agricultural fund of the Uni
vcrSlty of Virginia.. In this ~calTacity he was
detailed in isl to make an examination Of
the Agricultural oile.cS Of the country, and
In 1873 submitted II report OF great ability on
the subject of agricultural education, which
has had an important influence on the or
ganiZatiOn and conduct of that department In
the Virginia University. In 1873 he WAS called
to the Chair of Agriculture at the University
Of Tennessee, and here he began. under on,
ticult circumstances the remarkable career OF
professional success which, In so short Il time,
has given him so high a reputation.
1T Is not too much to say hat when Iroi;
department of the University of Tennessee
was In a depressed condition, and It's friends
were dishcartcned MS to It's future. Prof Nc
th0ritics and Of the public. Under his control
the department. grew in Importance FOR teach
ing, and the college farm was rapidly brought
to the highest state CT efficiency. He innugll-
rated and successfully conducted 4 wide
series Of experiments Of the highest practical
value to farmers, and his reports secured At
tention not only In Tennessee, but through
the whole country and In England. When In
1852, after only three years service, he was
called to the College of South Carolina, the
deepest regret was felt through ali Tennessee.
and the strenuous. efforts made. holh by the
University authorities and by representative
farmers and citizens TO retain him there,
showed how strong Il hold the Dung professor
had secured in that State. His biief career In
the Tennessee University Is perhaps the most
brilliant In the history Of that institution.
In spite of remOnStranccs and inducements
alike eXtraordinary, Prof. McBryde decided TO
accept the call to his native State. and entered
upon duty here I'm the summer of lSS2. Colonel.
been designated by the unanimous voice as
president of the recognized College, but
political events forced his derlinatinn. Soon
after. DR.. Carlisle. of Spartanhurg, was elected
cd how deep was then the encouragement of
the friends of the College. and how abundant
were the prophecies Of It's failure, The Faculty
were now compelled. In September, to choose
Il chairman, for an interrCgnum, which, how
ever, 1t was supposed would last only until
the next meeting OF the Board Of Trustees In
November. A "harpy instinct" as IT has
been termed. led TO the election Of Prof. Nc
Brydc, one of the youngest OF the Faculty
10Th In ysars and In official tenure. He en-
tered upon his work under trying circum-
The opening Of the session was at
hand and no preparations had been made.
had begun TO prevail as to the prospects.
There is no space here to tell what was done
or how suffice II TO say, the work. so multi
fariuuS and so difficult, was done. and done so
n uirk 1r a & hardly tn he L unwn The (0llrpp |
and internal, was ready for the re-
of students by The lst of October. and
the work of organization and classification,
so difficult under the circumstances, was sue !,
c~cssfully accomplished under the direction of
the chairman
Prof. McI,rydc's energy. wisdom and sue.
of the Trustees, and when, mt their
meeting In November. he SUBMITTED his first
report, their conviction was complete thai the
College was in safe and able hands; so that. In
stead of the OK peeled election of 81 PRESIDENT
At that time. the Board unanimously re-
Prof McBryde 10 retain the position
Ms Chairman of the Faculty. His aLminislra-
ton Of tho affairs of the College since that
time and his successive reports and recon-.
mrndatiOnS have decpencd the conviction,
and the Board have only responded to the
sentiment Of the community and OF
The students, by whom he Is best known, In
him to the Office of the Presidency,
whose duties he had alr ady performed with
success. 1t Is admitted on all hands that
tlt SutCtSS vi lIp Cpl!tHP, Ill his HISb year Oh
its reorganization, has been phenomenal :"
ut no time In Its history, perhaps, has 1t been
In better condition than 1t IS to-day. OF this
result the largest part Is due to
Prof. McRrydc'S personal character and In
liuencc-cspecially to his Skill In organiza-
lion and to his influence over the students,
1t Is not too much to say Is almost
b0undleSs. He has won the high distinction
by sheer force OF merit, attcslcd by conSriru-
Gus succeSs-nnd Il merit, too, as modest and
quiet rs 1t is sound and effective. Without
he large rcpuSation which some Of his prcdc-
ressors have brought to their high office. he
brings to It, an actual ability in administra-
ton. and y promise OF growing distinction for
the College and himself, second to none. These
are already aitcStcd by experience,
he friends of the College. thnt- ns In tie ease
If others among the most distinguished col
rgc Presidents in the country. notably. Eliot
If Harvard and Giilmnn of John Hopklns-
Professional fitness alone, without eNtranenns
This, In his case as In theirs, Is NE
.urest pledge of success. We coneratulnte the
Board Of Trustees upon their wisdom II, re.
such fitness. We congratulate me
'ollege. its Alumni and the State upon sccur-
NJ such a man to guide the new destinies of
lis beloved State institution.
Printers Ink. :
Think of s34s,MO paid per annum for n SIN !
lie column Of the NrW York Lierntd, and all by
noney-loving Yankees, as we ale PLEASED to S
ali them. Some Southern men grumhle II q
hcy are charged an infiniteSimHl sum proper 7
considered for advertising. All the 4
pading business men North have advertised. .
better still. they have been generous q
nough to heartily acknowledge the value Of !
printers ink" No wonder the North goes Il
head so grandly In colossal enterprises, when e
II sorts and in pushing buSin eSS,- HQmpt n