The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-12-03


-e>S-ern7Sf 70 Itka requirement. Of tho Law that
2nos1iy Cadets shall be required to teach
alter graduation, for two years in the free pub
lie schools of the County from which they re-
spcctivcly receive their appointment
Many embsrrassments will be experienced
and much injustice may be done, in the en-
forcement of this requirement. 1t may often
happen that such graduates will be unable to
discharge the obligation thus imposed, without
any intention or disposition to avoid it, The
selection Of teachers, by the General School
Law, is entirely in the hands of local Boards
of Trustees the benefciaries will be pcwerless
to perform their obligation if the local Trustees
should refuse or fail to give them employment
The State Superintendent of Education also
calls attention to this important matter. A
change is here recommended
This institution has merited tho continued
confidence of the General Assembly, and l
recommend such appropriations as may be
necessary for its maintenance.
SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE.
The prosperity which has attended tho Col
lege since its reorganization coptiLues unabated.
Last session 213 students were enrolled-the
largest attendance yet recorded. The number
Of matricuatcs for the present academic year
1873 is already larger than for the corresponding
period of any year except the last. In view of
the general business depression, and the multi
piled disasters which have for the last lew
years betallcn the agricultural interests of our
State and section, this liberal patronage is rs
encouraging as it is remarkable. 1t shows that
the rehabilitation of the institution has met q
want recognized and felt. and that our people
are alive to the importance of a thorough edu-
cation for their sons, and quick to avail them
selves of the educational advantages offered by
the State.
High commendation is made of the character
aud improved preparation Of tho matriculatcs,
aud the diligence aud dcpOrtmcnt of the stu
dents.
The authorities have been unremtlinc in
their efforts to give to the College The utmost
development possible, with the limited means
at their command.
During the past year the existing courses OF
study were still further extended and improved,
and n new course in mechanical engineering
added. The institution now cNers eight courses
for degrees, and five for certificates, in addition
TO its elective and post graduate courses.
Under the energetic and efficient manage
ment of the Professor in charge, the new de-
par,ment in mechanics gives promise of becom-
ing one of the most important and popular in
the College; more than thirty students are
already enrolled in its sew eral classes. With
the appropriation specially granted for the pur-
pose, hy the last General Assembly, a ten-horsc-
power enginc, turning lathe, saws, woodwork
ing tools, drawing table and carpenters benches
have been provided.
The aim in this, rs in the other scientific de-
pnrtmcnts, is to combine theory with practice
to illustrate and enforce the principles taught
in the class room by applied work in tho labor
atory, the workshop, and the field.
1t i. a fact highly significant of the change
wrought in Southern thought and opinion
within .hc present generation, that a notable
md steadily increasing proportion Of the stu
dents of this historic old College, which many
OF our people believe to be yet exclusively de-
voted to classical and literary instruction, pass
large portion of their time in work which is
in the highest sense of The term instru ,tive !:
which at the same time trains the eye, the hand
and the hcau, which requires long hours of
laborious practice, the use of the balance and
rule, the level and transit, the knife and pen
Gil, machinery and tools, chemical analyses, de-
termlnations OF minerals, the examinations of
seeds, fertilizers and soils, the preparation of
specimens, and the calculation and tabulatirg
Of results.
Such training is certainly practical, anil.
when combined with thorough mastery of the
underlying principles, invaluable.
The new ad unct Professor of Agriculture is
actively engaged in charging the operations of
the Agricultural Department of the College.
lie has prepared n report of the experimental
work carried on for the past five years This
report covering the results of between 100 and
200 experiments, is being published and will
be submitted TO you rs part of the Report of
the Board of Trustees.
In the number and character of its students
and teachers, its courses, methods and stand
ards, the South Carolina College can no W chal-
leDge comparison with any other State institu-
tion of higher learning in the South. Its con.
duct aud management receive my hcartiest
commendation, except in the matter of free
tuiton-of this policy cannot approve. 1t is,
in my judgment, opposed to the wishes of n
majority of the people of tho State, and is in
furious to the highest interests of the institu-
tion itself. 1T certainly is not essential to it's
success. for prior to 1860 6ohen tuition fees ,cere
a Innann wn p1,y ,hol lsl
the affections of our people and held foremost
place among Southern Universities.
The recent history Of similar institutions
would seem to show that The attendance of stu
dents is not materially increased by the offer of
free tuition, or diminished by its Withdrawal,
n moderate tuition fee being in fact, but an in
considerable element in the necessary expenses
of n collegiate course.
From the opening Of the College down 10
1873, tuition fees were charged and the Act re.
establishing the University certainly coatem-
pldfcd the continuance of these charges. In
Section l0i0 of the General Statutes it is pro-
vided that there shall be admitted into each
College Of the University one student from
each County of the State, who shall be entitled
to tuition free Of charge In Section 1912 il
is provided that 'hc tuition fees shall not ex-
ceed the sum of forty dollars per annum for
all the branches taught in either College, which
fees shall be deposited in the State Treasury
and reported TO the Legislature annually
Neither the General Assembly nor the Trus.
tees of The University have ever formally or
dered that tuition in the College should be free.
The facts are these The Act of 1879, granting
to the Trustees of the South Carolina Uniysr-
sity authority to establish College of Agri-
culture and Mechanics for the benefit of white
students. and to use the grounds and property
of the University at Columbia for this purpose
prescribed that tuition in the said College
shall be free to all students whose parents re-
side in this State This College continued in
operation for two years, and when in 1882, il
was developed as held by the Board Of 1rusteos