The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-12-09

smallest and fewest appropriations are not
always the wisest economy. Govern
ment is business, and, like any other
business, requires for its successful con-
duct the use of money; such, for in
stance, as for the adequate compensation
of officials, the proper maintenance of
charitable and penal institutions, the
prompt payment of oil public obliga-
tions, the liberal support of common
schools and higher institutions of learn
ing, the necessary expenses Of legislation
itself, and the numerous other incidental
purposes that foot up no inconsiderable
amount.
We have already achieved much in the
way OF economy, having reduced ex-
pcnditurcs to point that places the gov
ernment of this State among the cheap
est, if not the very cheapest, of the |
States of the Union. A comparison of
our expenditures with those Of any other
State will, am sure, fully justify this
assertion. While looking, then, with
continued care to the exercise OF this
cardinal virtue of economy III the admin
lstratlon OF our affairs, especial attention
should be paid to maintaining the credit
OF the State, now Mt point of excellence
mover before reached III the history of
her finances. If this credit is fully sus-
tanned the opportunity will soon be pre-
sentcd, by the early maturity OF our Sc
| Curities, of rcfunding them at Il much
| reduced rate of interest, and thus re-
lieving the taxpayers, by single trans
action, of an annual burden OF perhaps
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
This surely will prove measure Of
economy that would bc scnsibly felt as
IL relief to every industry and occupa-
ton, and should enlist, therefore, for it's
accomplishment, the active sympathics
and cooperation of all. A practical test
Of tho feasibility Of this project must
, soon be made in the case OF our deficiency
bonds and stocks, which mature as early
as July, 1888, for the rcfunding Of which
timely provision, will have, of necessity,
to be made.
/ But however rigid the ideas enter
tanned upon this subject, however great
S the apparent necessity for retronchment
] and reform, there is one direction in
which they cannot be exercised without
sitting the young life OF the people and
Sapping the very sources Of our material
and intellectual strength. l alludo to
our public schools and the system OF
I Colleges we call the University. The
one is the essential complement of the
, other, and neither can accomplish tho
: full measure OF its usefulness without its
necessary coadjutor in the grand work
| of education. In the common schools
nre to be laid the broad foundations, anG
| in the institutions of higher learning az,
: to bc reared the beautiful and lofty
structures of intellectual development
/ that render Il people prosperous, happy
great and respected among the nations
Of the earth. Applause. Such insti
tutions are not like mushrooms-th,
1 growth Ola night. They require long years
Of patient sacrifice, OF unceasinG patriotic
t effort, Of liberal and unStinted support
to attain their full stature and grant
, proportions, where their pinnnclcS, reach
ing to the sky, will shed beam O.
transrcndant brightness over the land
, rlvlfying industry and warming int,
active life every dormant energy.
In the matter Of education we cannot
afford t" contract. The true polir,
+ should be to broaden, to deepen and t,
, widen, as the resources Of the State Der
NIT, until the last vestigc Of mcnta
: darkness is swept from our borders, an,
, every child in the State shall hccomc tin,
= recipient Of the hcmgnant Influences O
, thorough instruction. The accomplish
n m"nt of this great work, with us, cal
# Only h" gradual, for nome but the will
1 fully blind can fail to see and feel th
); prevailing embarrassment, So widrsprra,
5 and universal. But, ut least, no ste,
4 backward Sh0uld he taken. The marcI
+ must be ever onward. with the stead,
y determination not TO he Outstippcd il
i the race by our sistrrStntcs OF tn" Union
3 who are bending every cncrgv to thu
t most complete and perfect devrlopmru
"I their educational systems.
+ South Carolina, among il not the frs
- t" establish q system of free schools
!. imperfect though it was, has the nddc,
/ Incentive of Il noble ambition to main
n tam her ancient proud position anon,
h tine most advanced and progressive @
! the States. Nor will the fruits of sucI
- II liberal policy be either mrugrr or Irs
+ Ntut" OF II certain and abundant com
, p"nsatlon.- How richly has she in the pus
, r"aprd the reward of her lihcralitv I,
. her lnstitutions"f learning. Need tel
q "l the lllustrlouS names that have illl
+ lnnrd her annals both in peace and il
, war? of how her sons, trained in thrs
, institutions and imbucd in every fibre q
their being with Carolina sentiment an,
tarOlinn devotion to principle, hay,
Carried hrr hng often to victory, bu
always to glory, and have won for her ,
reputation for loyalty, learning and clo
qurncr not bounded 10y continents O,
oceans? How the heart thrills Will
emotions nf the lolticst State pride n,
W" read Of the men who were indeed
giants i'll those days, the acknowledged
peers OF the greatest and best in the
lmd! Not to mention n hundred Others
almost equally famous, ! have - hrsita-
t'on III asserting that the production OF
two such men as McDuilic and Thorn
well, both poor boys, would fully COM
p"nsotc for every dollar expended in the
maintenance OF the institutions which
nurturcd them. The South Carolina
College and the State military Academy.
as the capstoncs to perfected system of
| common schools, and aided by other IN
! stltutions of similar character, will
most assurcdly prove, in the not distant
future, the unfmling source Of prospcri-
ty, happiness and advancement in all
that clcvates and Cnnoblcs. From their
gates will issue IN annual stream Of cul-
turcd Carolina youth, with hearts filled
with grateful love Of country, whose gc-