The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1889-03-28
CEN. s. D. LEES PAPERS.
AGRICULTURAL AND MEcHANf-
CAL COLLEGES.
Has Not Iuterfered with the Attend
ance at the state University, Hut
Has Given "a new Impetus
10 Education.
ARTICLE NO. v.

at Oxford, and has given such an
impetus to education in the State as
to increase the number of students at
the Baptist Denominational College at
Clinton, by about an average of sixty
nine session. and also to increase
largely the attendance at normal col
leges and schools throughout the State.
1t has had an average attendance OF
5l1 students a session; and in the
sessions of 1885 and 1887. 364 more
students than at Oxford. and this. too,
on an appropriation OF s542s less than
that received by the University.
In spite of these facts. the last Legis-
lature gave the A. and NJ. College S2l,-
284 less than that given the Stare Uni
versity. for its support for the sessions
of 1888 and 1889. A Discriminating
apportionment law was also passed.
requr ng that Mississippi boys. in ex-
cess of the qu&a from the respective
counties, should pay tuition fee at the
A. and NJ. College, and this, too,
when students from Tennessee, Louis
lana, Arkansas and other States were
given their tuition free at Oxford. The
money given the A. and NJ. College for
its support was hat1pe cd, taking from
the Trustees the power given them to
fix the salaries of President and Faculty,
and disburse as in their judgment they
thought best; the act reduced the
salaries below those paid similar
officials at the State University. Moth
| ing was done about the salaries Uf the
State Colleges. In spite of better re-
cord than any other State institution.
these adverse Determinations were
made against the A and NJ. College,
and violent attacks were made on its
management.
propose to examine some of the OBJ
fctions made in the last Legislature.
and by others through the Yublic prints.
believing that a misinformtion as to
facts exists, and that the opposition,
in most cases. was honestly entertained.
Every public institution has enemies.
but public criticism and examination
will only strengthen those that are
properly and econ nomically conducted.
l. 1t was ella med that a great debt of
$40o, 900 has been saddled on the State
by the establishment and support of the
college for the eight years of its ex-
stencc. The same Leg stature which
establ shed the A. and NJ. College ac-
knowleded debt to the University OF
the State of $j44,06l. The State either
had to refuse a bonus of 1927, 500 from
the general government or, if accept
ing it obligated itself to establish the
college. She only had three years in
VIII ch to decide. She accepted the
conditions of the gift, and has estab-
lish the college. One of the conditions
of acceptance was to establish a col
lege. where the leading object should
be to teach such branches of learning
as are related to agriculture and the
mechanic arts" etc. The value of this
college property is now over $20j. 600
an investment of the State-for the law
prescribed that the State must provide
buildings and outfit. There was q
State debt also created in enlarging the
Asylum at Jackson. in building the new
Asylum at Meridian. and in starting
the l. l. and c. at Columbus, and in
creasing the common school fund.
2. 1t was claimed that the students
attending the A. and NJ. College were
not equally apportioned to the different
counties, but that twelve counties had
one-half of the students attending,
and twenty counties were not repre-
sented. Some counties appreciate
education more than others. and send
more students to all colleges and
schools. and no law can compel coun-
ties to send students, unless they want
to do so. One thing is certain, no
county has ever been refused room for
students, equal to its quota. if they
could otherwise comply with the con-
ditions of admission. This was urged
as great crime in the management
The facts are: The A. and M. College
was ahead of the University of the
State in equal distr button, and ahead
of colleges in Alabama, and any other
State. and even had a better record
than the three most largely attended
A and ~. Colleges in the United States.
Oxford had one-half of the attendance
QS87) from seven counties and other
States, and twenty-seven counties not
represented. A. and NJ. College of
Alabama and also the University. do
not show as good a record as our A.
and NJ. Michigan, seven counties and
other States have one-haf. and thirty
four counties not represented; Kansas,
four counties and other States one-half.
and thirty five counties not represented.
So it appears this objection had no
foundation by comparison. If it is a
crime. and needs legislation to correct
it. why not apply to all State colleges
desiring support from taxationa
8. 1t was claimed tat only wealthy
boys can attend the A. and NJ. College.
The record shows that 1924 will cover
all necessary expenses. and over $25 of
this year is really for clothing, which