The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-12-22

Nv W II ScUlCISIlCC |
were present, and took q deep IN
terest in the proceedings. Several Of
the College professors, who were pres
ent. follow I'd the discussion with close
attention, and the large number Of la
dies, who occupied the sofas, relished
the discussion and were delighted with
the result.
The hill which was introduced by
Col. r. r. Hemphill, Of Abbeville. came
up early in the session. but has been de-
ferrcd from day to day as a special or
der. When 1T was taken up tho deter
mination was to get through with it.
1t is exactly the same bill that this
member introduced at the last session Of
the General Assembly. 1t will be re-
mcmbered it was rejected last session
ny an overwhelming majority. Since
then the question has been constantly
agitated il the public press, the friends
Of the UNCONVENTIONAL colleges taking
an active part in the discussion and writ
ing much against the free Institution
feature. The argument which they
urged so encrgeticaliy was that the law
allowing free tuition in the Colleg
works injuriously to the welfare of the
dcnominational institutions. Colonel
Hemphill's bill was designed to voice
this sentiment and to remedy the fam
cied evil by doing away with the cause
~---frce tuition. Previous to the opening
of the debate the reporters of the ReG-
iSteT msde a canvass Of the members
and figured out the result pretty accu-
rately.
Col. Simonton of Charleston moved
that the enacting words Of the bill be
stricken out, and made a short but ex-
ceedingly able argument supporting
that motion. In the course of his re-
marks he said
After n careful examination into the
condition Of affairs it has been decided
that one-half Of the young men now in
the University will be compelled to
abandon their studies and return to
their homes if this bill should pass.
Is the significance Of this fact apprecia-
ted? These young men who have made
q sacrifice to come here and get an edu-
cation are to be forced to leave their
books and return home. These voting
men are poor. Are We who are the rep.
rcsentatives Of the impoverished people
to say to these young men that they
must abandon their efforts to get an ed
u%cation simply because they are poor.
am an advocate Of free tuition. | be-
lievc that every citizen Of the State is
entitled to the benefits Of the College.
There is no man VIII" does not recos-
nize that u good education is the best
gift that he can possibly give his child.
The Constitution is filled with instruc-
tons to the Legislature to provide for
the education of the children of the
State. II 1t is the duty Of the State to
furnish education to the Young men Of
tl,n Stnfo ~ ~ ~ rkf st,x ,. -n.-
shall he conferred only upon those who
Can afford to pay for the privilege ?
No, let us open this institution to- all
the children, so that the poor may en-.
joy the benefits Of a higher education.
The argument is used TINT the colleges
sustained by the bounty of the State
are rivals Of the dcnon:inational collie
gcS of the State. Is not this protection
run mad What good can the passsye
OF this measure exert upon these de-
nominationul institutions ? Will the
forty dollars which it is sought to COM
pei each student to pay, help these col
leges do not ask YOU to consider
this question MS members Of w relir-
ious denomination, but as c~..iZens Of
the State. Have you any right to de-
prive the poor young men Of the State
Of the advantages Of an educution ?
This is the one question:" Colonel ST.
monton proceeded to argue the question
in his convincing manner.
Mr.. Blue of Marion, asked "Cannot
the State provide equally for the higher
education Of the young ladies MS for the
young men ?"
Colonel Simonton replied, "Why, GER
tainiy."
Mr.. r. R. Hemphill said the present
bill was the same one which he had had
the honor introducing ut the last meet
ing of the General Assembly. md
which had been Overwhelmingly voted
down. tie said the bill was nothing
but u declaration Of the constitutional re-
qulrcmcnts. His bill only sought to
compel the trustees Of the university to,
be compelled to charge tuition to all the
students except the bencfciaries. All
he asked was that the law as it exists
shall be carried. 1t is not necessary to
discuss this question, for it has been
full y discussed in the press of the State.
The object Of the advocates Of this
measure is simply to see that the de-
nominational colleges Of the State shall
not he unjustly Disseminated against
by allowing free tuition in the South
Carolina College. He said lie was in
favor of a fair and friendly rivalry be-
tween the colleges.
Mr.. Scudday Of Anderson followed in
a really eloquent speech.
MIR. Stanyarnc Wilson Of Spartan
burg made one Of his earnest speeches
against the motion to strike out the en-
acting words. He discuss.d the ones
ton in all it's aspects, denying az the