The clarion., 1885-11-25
The Girls College-Why Esta blished

EDITORS CLARION: Last weeks CLAR
ION contained an article on our school
fund by distinguished and patriotic
citizen of the State, whose opinions are
entitled to thoughtful considerations; .
We would not presume to review the
article written by the distinguished and
patriotic citizen whose views are entitled
20 thoughtful consideration, but we
humbly ask permission to say word in
reference to the establishment of the
Girls College. The American system
of popular education comprehends. as
the best educators know, the common
school, the high-school, the University
md the Normal school for training
teachers. The Constitution of the State
o. Mississippi, in Article VIII, provides
for system of public schools, and saws
''as soon as practicable the State shall
establish schools of higher grade" Pre-.
vious to 1884, there were in Mississippi
schools of higher grade for every other
class of citizens except white girls.
There was demand for a school for
white girls. and the Legislature wisely
needed this demand, and ord; ined our
State Industrial College which is II gh-
school, Normal school aud Industrial
chool, all in one. To secure this excel
lent institution, the State set aside the
nuniticent sum OF twenty thousand
lollars per annum for two years. This
nunificent sum, divided among the
seventy odd counties in the State, would
give about two hundred and fifty dollars
ser county. Ani two hundred and fifty
lollars divided among the educable chill
iren in some counties would amount to
t few cents apiece, and consequently
would scarcely prolong the public school
erm, q day. As it is, every county in
he State is entitled to send girls to the
industrial College, on the basis of the
white cducable children in the county,
md by this equitable arrangement each
.ounty secures free tuition for ten
months, for from two to twelve girls.
according to population. To carry for
ward the good work, the women of the
state are organizing Loan Associations,
ZACH member agreeing to pay one dollar
'er annum; the money thus raised being
oaned to deserving young women to
ducate themselves at this school.
The school itself is answering every
argument agains. it. When a State
Female College was first agitated q
Reverend Doctor of Divinity, prophesied
hat such school would be Goddess
Institution. Below is an extract from a
'rtter from one of the pupils:
IL like the College better every day.
[ think Professor aud Mrs. Jones are
Just the loveiest characters | ever met.
The girls have prayer meetings on their
respective floors every Saturday and
sunday nights, and it is just too sweet
rear the gIrls lead in prayer. Mis-
-, one of the teachers, helps us in
ur meetings, and ! will tell you there
ire not many eyes that are not moistened
With tears while the meetings are in
progress"
Again, it was said that the school was
,nly for the rich, that poor girls could
rot attend it. l will therefore give an
attract from letter written ey worthy
Young lady who borrowed her first in
stallment for board, &C., from the Loan
Association of her county:
81 am still delighted with the school
ind its discipline. 1t is all regulated
now, and We have commenced to work
The girls have become contented. and
ire trying to learn, and each of us i
rying for one or more of the medals. ]
I'm trying very hard for the Normal
medal, and for Governor Lowry's, for |
want one, and | am going to work. L
have commenced to work in the laundry
assort clothes, and iron some. 1t is
ice, clean work and exercise too. II
wish you could have seen US all. We
iad chicken picking some time ag.
md Judge Harrison came in tu see us.
he enjoyed it as much as we did. He
said be wished it was dinner time. y =
think this institution is the creates.
blessing that ever has been bestowed
IN Mississippi" God bless our dear
girls, and yet there are s,me in the State
and patriotic whose
opinions are entitled to thoughtful con-
liberation, who would deprive them OF
hat greatest blessing.
Down on the seacoast of Missi ssippi |
here resides grand old man, the mos,
of all our citizens, and |
when he WAS invited to the College on |
'pening day, this IS what he wrote.
Had been physically able it would |
lave afforded me great pleasure to wit |
less the birth of Mississippi's Industrial |
,ollsg ge for females, and 70 wish il |
iod speed in the career which fervent /
y pray may be AL, aud more than al. |
hat its most ardent friends anticipate"
hat is what Jefferson Davis wrote But |
LIZ. Editor, | have written enough. l /
lose with a grand salam to the sdistin /
uished and patriotic citizen of the
.ate, whose opinions are entitled to
houghtful consideration. A. G. P.