The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-08-16
THE EDUCATIONAL QUESTION.
Col. r. W. Simpsons. Solution Of a::::Much.
Debated11ssue.ofthe

LAuRENs, August 4.-Col. R. W.
Simpson, of Anderson, was invited to ad-
dress the Shiloh Agricultural Club, on
the occasion fits annsversary celebration
which was held on Thursday last. By
special request Col. Simpson spoke main
ly on the subject Of the Agricultural
College, and hence, from bis position with
regard to the Clemson estate, his remarks
were very interesting. He gave special
emphasis to the fact that the friends of
the proposed college do not propose or
desire to interfere with existing institu.
tions oflearning. The Citadel in Char
lesion and the University in Columbia
are necessary in our educational system,
and when this Piedmont section has an
institution, an agricultural college where
the sciences, mechanic arts and all the
practical branches of learning will be
taught the SONS of farmers, the University
and Citadel will be no longer POLITICAL
issues. ALI opposition will cease, and as
result, in the course oftime, green spots
will spring up and here and there over
the State new industries will be started
and our State will go forward in the line
of industrial progress, such as We have
never aeen.
Col. Simpson said eff I have the
power to look in the future 1 feel that
there is such feeling in this State as
that unless more interest is given to
Agriculture no man can foretell the result.
The agricultural interests can never be
protected to the full measure until real,
instead of pretended, farmers are sent to
the Legislature. The reason our section
has been ignored is that the best men
from the low.country are appointed on all
the important committees, and the most
ignorant and blinded of the up. country
members filled in, who are mere figure.
heads. The low country has learned to
put in the smartest men and keep them
there, and by this means they manage to
control legislation in the State"
Col. Simpson spoke more particularly
of the status of the Clemson bequest, all
OF which has heretofore been published
in the newspapers. At the conclusion
of his speech, the reporter sought Col.
Simpson and desired to hear him more
fully on his views with regard to the
University. Said he: II neglected to
give scheme which / have suggested to
a number of friends Of the University and
the denominational colleges, and which
I am satisfied would work admirably.
The plan is this: Make the University
q real university. Let all the higher
branches be taught. Make it the peer of
tie best schools in the land, and let the
other colleges cut off the senior course
from their curriculum, and after three
years course of the denominational col.
leges, the Citadel or Clemson College
entitle the student to one year at the
University free Of tuition. In this way
the State University will not come in
competition with the other schools, and
the young men who desire higher edu-
cation will not be compelled to 60 beyond
the bounds of the State. Three years
will meetthe requirements Of many young
men who never finish their education and
the course in the University will stimulate
others to the higher branches"
All considered Col. Simpson
thought that some such arrangement
could he made to the satisfaction of all
parties and to the benefit Of the State
Dispatch to the Neaos and Courier.