The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-12-14

poor boys have been raised to distinc-
tion by it. Hc was also tired of this
habit of ignoring the work Of the denom-
national colleges. Thank God, the day
was past when the South Carolina Col
lege was the only institution which
could educate the young men of the
State. Thank God, because if they all
came here they all would get into the
same grove that the South Carolina Col
legc graduates followed. There was not
college in the State which taught sec
tartan doctrines. The South Carolina
College was graduly closing the doors Of
the dcnominational colleges. The friends
of the denominational colleges wanted
the South Carolina College made q
genuine State University, which all the
graduates Of other institutions could
attend. 81 think we arc going to whip
you this timc," said Senator. Sigh, in
conclusion. "Its our time to feel
good"
Senator Woodward said that there
were many young men in the State who
were able to pay the $50 board in at
tending the College who were unable to
pay the $50 tuition fees proposed. He
made brief but strong spceche against
the bill.
Senator Murray declared that he did
not enter the debate as champion Of
the denominational colleges. He was,
moreover, friend of the South Carolina
College, and for that reason wished to
see 1t elevated into finishing college
for the youth Of the State, one higher in
grade than the den ominational colleges.
He maintained that majority Of the
people were in favor Of tuition fec in
the College. OF the nineteen new Sena-
tors in this body fourteen were. against
free tuition. AS to the work Of tho
denominational colleges-which insti-
tutions, he maintained, were not secta-
rian-he pointed to the fact that Of the
St2te ticket recently elected three mem
bers had attended one Of them, while
only two had been educated in the
South Carolina College. He did not
believe that tho charging of this fee
would affect the College as much as was
expected. He thought. in fact, that it
would make very little difference in the
attendance. He believed that all the COL
| leges Of the State should be put upon
equal terms, and compete with each
other on the broad ground Of merit He
would be willing to vote for beneficiary
features for students unable to attend.
BY the adoption Of this little bill, he
believed that the antagonism between
the State College and the dcnomina-
tional colleges would be finally ended
Senator Noise made an eloquent and
t1owery speech in defence Of free tuition.
He pointed to the declaration of the
Judges Of the Supreme Court that in
their belief the Constitutional mandate
was that tuition in the College should
be free. The Governor, the Judges, the
chairman of the committees on educa-
ton in the two houses, and most of the
prominent men Of the State were be-
levers in the constitutionality and
propriety of free uttion. According to
the rule laid down BY the advocates Of
this bill, any railroad in the State would
have the right to prevent the chartering
Of any competing line. q railroad would
be justified in refusing to pay county
taxes voted to build rival road, and the
principle would reverse oil our methods.
Theirs was no reason for this movement.
Alleging that the College was too ex-
pensive for the poor boy, the advo-
Gates of tuition free sought to remedy
the evil they complained Of by making
it more expenive. He showed that in
the State colleges Of all the Southern
States save one tuition was free, and in
that one it was nominal charge. In
the State colleges where tuition was
charged the rate was for less than that
prososed to be charged in this College.
This was movement to extinguish the
great beacon Of State education and
leave the young men Of the State to the
dark lantern of sectarian schools, which
cast their light only in one direction.
At this juncture Senator Austin moved
to postpone the subject unit; to- morrow
at p. m. Lost-yeas II, nays 20.
Senator Patterson favored the bill.
The only question was as to the amount