The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-07-25
THE GLEASON BEOUEST.
Congressman Dibble'S Views rs to the
Expedtency Of Establishing a Sepa.
rate Agricultural College.

rate Agricultural College.
The Hon. Samuel Dibble. member OF Con-
eress from the First South Carolina District,
delivered torcible address on public edu-
cation at the recent commencement OF the
Citadel Academy, in the course of which he
expressed the following opinions as to the
wisdom of the acceptance of the Clemson be-
quest by the State:
But it is proposed to add to onr system
an agricultural college, pure and simple.
where the sons of farmers may be taught
the theory and practice of husbandry, with
out being in contact with those engaged
in classical studies and this proposition
is brought forward in connection with the
fact that the late Mr. Clemson, in Oconee
County, lef: by will his plantation ut Fort
HILL with money enough to erect the neces-
sary buildings, for an agricultural college
to be there established as State lnstltu-
ton, if the State accept the bequest. The
acceptance of the bequest involves provis-
ion for the current expenses of the college
to be made by the State.
There can only be one question with re-
gard to this matter, and that is, can we af-
ford the annual expense of its maintenance
without deprivipg existing State institutions
of their present resources? If we con do
this, it seems to me that it would be well to
accept the Clemson donation, and provide
for it by annual appropriations for It's sup
port. It is useless to say that we can man
ace to maintain four colleges with the same
cost as we now maintain three-for not one
of the three now in operation has larger
appropriation than it requires to meet the
necessities of successful operation and it
would be utter folly to impair the usefulness
of institutions, now doing good WORK, IN
order to inaugurate On experiment which
we cannot afford to undertake lndepend-
emily. But if the people of the State are
willing to bear the additional tazatloa,. l
see no reason why we should not accept the
opportunity afforded by the Clemson be-
quest to establish a State agricultural COL
iege. For suppose It is evident that some
of the farmers OF the State desire their chill
dren to have the opportunity OF being edu-
Gated at On agricultural college pure and
simple, and think it is right and reason
able that the State should endeavor to >atls-
fy them in this regard, provided they are
willing that such other citizens Of the State
who desire to have their sons taught agrl-
culture in connection with classical and TT
erary branches, and in company with the
youth of the State at the State University,
Should not be deprived Of the privilege.
It is worth something to satisfy both class
es of those seeking agricultural instruction
TO. their children, and the additional ex-
pense would be inconsiderable. Let me
illustrate. To raise the sum Of S26,OOO an
nually, man who now pays taxes to the
amount IS would only pay 10 cents more,
and man who pays $50 taxes would only
have to pay 81 more annually.
WE MUST BUILD Up AND NOT TEAE DOWN.
Therefore, if the advocates of separate ag-
ricultural college intend no assault upon
the existing State institutions, let them
come forward with the plain, business-like
proposition showing the amount of appro-
priation which will be required, and do
not think that they will find the people OF
the State parsimonious in the matter. But
if they propose to have separate agrlcul-
tural college by reducing the present re-
sources of the South Corolina Military Acad-
envy, or of the State University at Columbia,
or of Claain College, then they must expect
the opposition of all the friends of higher
education in South Carolina to so unreason-
able proposition. There is no progress
in a scheme which pulls down with view
to build up out of the same material. Let
the present structures stand, and theH what
We build besides is clear gain.
think, therefore, that it would be well
for the State to accept the munifcent dona-
ton of Mr.. Clemson, and to support the ag-
ricultural college thus established by annu-
al appropriations of money from the State
treasury. The people would then see ez.
actly what their agricultural college was
costing them, and T doubt not would pay
for it cLeerfully.
THE STATE OUGHT TO KEEP ITS SONS AT HOME
There is another consideration of busi-
ness nature which occurs to me IN this con-
nection Every young man who goes out
side of the State for his higher education
will e1pend at least $500 a year abroad,
$1,000 in four years. If We furnish the
people facilities for education within our
own borders that ST, 200 will be expended
within the State, and even youths from
other States will come for education at our
institutions. 1t is stated that by actual
computation the amounts bestowed by the
State of Massachusetts, upon Harvard Uni
versity, which have been large and liberal,
are not equal to the amount of money which
has been spent in Massachusetts by stu
dents of Harvard coming from other States.
Let as then endeavor to have within our
boundary such institutions Of learning as
will satisfy the just demands Of our people,
and let Us maintain them in such condi-
ton of excellence as will attract all the
youth of the State to one or the other Of
them, and also draw students from other
States