The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-05-05
FREE TUITION.

some or the newspapers in this
State that clamor loudcst against
the injustice of II Government
forcing its citizens to pay Il tax on
imports, in order to protect certain
home industries; with the same
breath demand that the State of
South Carolina shall exact Il
tuition fee OF all students who at
tend her educational institutions,
simply to protect other schools
The argument resolves itself into
thls: Because under the present
educational system which the
State has adopted, young men can
obtain an education at Il less cost
than some denOminational colleges
can afford; therefore, i'm order to
protect these schools, the price of
education should he raised. Is it
more important that the poor
young men Of the State have an
opportunity of obtaining IL liberal
education, or that we have
Gus colleges all over the State for
those who are able to pay tuition
fees?
In determining this matter of
Tree tuition, we have but one uucs-
ton to solve: is it encumbcnt upon
the State to provide for the educa-
ton OF its citizens? If it is, then
everything possible, that will en-
able young men to avail themselves
of these advantages, should be pro-
vided. But, if in this advanced
age, we have any doubt as to the
advantages of Il general diffusion
of knowledge, and especially of
higher education; if it is not ccr-
Saln that the subject of education
as of suficicntimportancc to Justify
the State in taxing for its promo
ton, then the whole public school
system, which has the sanction of
every State in the Union, is wrong.
Educate the masses and VIC =, =.
- expect. ArRrnG'&e "%lnaE
800 y" r. o'f'NlliN " result. III Is
a good thing and we have yct to
see the man who has too much.
"A little learning is Il dangerous
thing" Yet, some men would
have us believe that only those
who are able to pay tuition should
taste OF higher education. The
State should give the poor such II
smattcring as Il country schools
afford, bnt q collegiate course is q
luxury which cannot be given by
the State free of charge.
All foolish, childish, nonscnsical,
self-contradictOry arguments that
we have ever heard advanced by
rational men, are laid in the shade
when these champions Of dcnomi-
national colleges affirm that the
South Carolina University Is a
erich mans college," and with the
same breath demand that it shall
not be left "free and open" because
denOminat;onal schools cannot sue
ccSSlullN compete with 1T.
AS to the matter Of establishing
purely Agricultural College, we
scc no particular objection. If the
state was able, we sec no reason
why the best ta'cnt that the world
affords should not he engaged in
an Agricultural College, a Medical
College, a Law School, and q sepa-
rate and distinct school to TT men
for every trade, pursuit or avoca-
ton that cnn be followed in the
South. But TIE ADVERTISER
does oppos any measure that seeks
TO abolish or cripple an institution
that gives to the humble as well as
rich, liberal education, and thus
qualify him for the duties Of q citi-
zen and any avocation his choice
may dictate; and place instead II
school of agriculture or any other
particular profession. Agriculture
Is u matter that concerns the whole
State, whatever promotes the in
terest of farmer should be encOur-
aged. An Agricultural School of
the right kind, will in the course of
time work ~ wounderfrl change in
this profession, and THE ADvER-
TtsER is heartily IN favor Of such
an institution. Letthe University
stand; let it remain free and open
to all, and establish as many 9th
ers as circumstances Will allow.
One of I'll esteemed contempo-
raries says at has been clearly
shown that this free tuitien mea-
sure is contrary to the letter and
spirit Of the constitutions We