The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-08-10

simply the personal benefit Of the young
men thus educated it is the benefit
which the State will hereafter derive by
having among all classes Of her citizens,
the poor as we'll as the rich m en- thor
oghly equipped to serve her interests
and do battle for her rights. The
money spent is an investment and not a
benefaction. Incidentally it may enable
a poor boy to get q good education, but
the reason that the State educates this
lpoor boy is because she will need his
services as an educated man, and she
finds in him the kind Of material that it
| is for the common good that she should
develop. l insist, therefore, Mr. Pres-
dent, that this not a mere matter Of senti
ment, it is matter Of business. And it
is in this way that it is and has ever
been, regarded by those countries Of
the world and those State Of the Union
which have made the most rapid pro-
gress in intelligence and wealth they
have made the outlay for public benefit
and the public enjoys the returns.
This matter of higher education,
whether it be at the South Carolina Col
lege, or at the Citadel, or at IN agricul-
tural college, if you choose is all in the
same category. And have nc objcc-
ton to increasing the resources Of our
State for higher education by having
another institution, but ! decidedly op-
pose any steps backward, by discontinu-
ing any Of the institution now in opera
ton. Nor will the: farmers of South
Carolina desire their discontinuance.
Why, let me recall your attention to the
fact that in the palmiest days of the
South Carolina College and the Citadel
our State was even more distipctively
than now an agricultural Commonwealth
the South Carolina College was farm.
ers' College, the Citadel was farmers
"Citadel." The students Of both were
mainly the sons of farmers, and the
same is true of them to- day also.
Now have no objection to introduc-
ing provision into the College to the
effect that students whose parents or
guardians are able to, pay for their tut
4tion should be.charged tuition, but am
unalterably opposed to any provision
which would tend to diminish the num-
ber Of benefciaries from among those
not able to pay tuition fees. pro.ist
against any change Of the system which
would compel the trustees Of the State
Universtsity, supported as it is by the
taxpayers of South Carolina, for the
common good Of all classes of her people
Fl protest against their being compel
led to say to any poor young man Of
our State $50 away from our doors if
you cannot pay tuition. The State sup
ports the College by taxation for, the
benefit Of those only who are rich
enough to pay for higher education"
The result Of this is to make money the
means Of advancement, to make q
privileged ,class of people-an aris-
tocracy Of wealth. IN
Mr.. President, oppose so outrageous
q principle in State such as ours.
where the son Of the poor man, if he
has the brains and pluck and ambition
Ito better his condition, and that Of his
class should have every facility that the
State can give him. The rich man does
not need free tuition, for he is going to
have his son educated irrespective of
whether tuition be free or not. He is
willing and able to pay. But the poor
man, who has son who is capable of
receiving college education, and who
has got to struggle with many privations
to enable that son to get to college,
finds this matter Of tuition very. i'm
] portan item it will often be the feather
that bcaks the camels back and will
operate as to the prohibition of higher
reducation to the sons Of the poor.
| And now, what is the practical aucs-
ton? Let US look at it as such. Take
the instance Of taxpayers going up to
pay his taxes. He asks the county
4 treasurer, show much taxes have I 10
Ipay ?' The county treasurer replies,
4 s.your tax is just $40, but if the Col
1IIege and Citadel were closed, YouSwould
lpay only $780, Is there any true son
Of Carolina, if the voting were to be
I done at the very time Of tax-paying, who
!, would vote to close up these institutions