The Grenada gazette., 1889-04-04
GEN. s. D. LEES PAPERS.
AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANI.
GAL CoLLEGEs.
Has Not Intcrfered with the Attend.
ance NJ the State Cniversisy. 3ut
Has Given New lmpetus
to EducaslOn.
ARTICLE NO. '.

establishment In 1880. has not inter-
fered with the attendance of students
at Oxford, and has given such an
inresus to education in the State a.
TO increase the number of students at
tho Baptist Denomin ational College at
Clinton, by about HI 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
Sll students session; and in the
sessions Of 1888, and 1887. 1854 moro
students than at Oxford. and this, too.
On an appropriation of $542S less than
that received by the University.
In spite Of these facts. the last Legis-
lature gave the A. and M. College $2l. :
2S4 less than that given the Stale Uni
yersity. for its support for tho sessions
Of 1888 and 1889. A discriminating
apportionment law wss also passed,
roqu'r ng that Mississippi boys. in ex-
cess of the quota from the respective
counties, should pay tuition fee at the
A. and NJ. College, aud this. too,
when students from Tennessee, Louis.
iana, Arkansas and other States were
given their tuition free at Oxford. The
money given the A. AMI NJ. College for
its support was hampe cd. taking from
the Trustees the power given them to
fix the salaries of President and Faculty.
and dsburse as in their judgment they
thought best; the act reduced the
salaries below these paid similar
officials at the State University. Moth
Ing was done about the salaries Of the
State Colleges. In spite OF a better re-
cord than my othor State institution,
these adverse discriminate were
made against the A. and NJ. College.
and violent attacks were made on its
management.
propose to examine some OF the OBJ
jections made in the last Legislature.
and by others through the public prints,
believing that msnformtion 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 arI economically conducted.
l. 1t was ella med that a great debt OF
$500. OOO has been saddled on the State
BY tho establishment and support Of the
college for the eight years Of its ex-
istencc. The same Leg stature which
estahl shed the A. and NJ. College ac-
knowleded debt to the University OF
the State of $j4i.U6l. The State either
had to refuse bonus of $227. 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 git, and has estab-
lish tue college. One of the conditions
of acceptance was to establish 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 $50 '.000--
an investment Of tho State e--for the law
prescribed that the State must provide
buildings and outfit. There was .
State debt also created in enlarging the
Asylum at Jackson, In building the now
Asylum OF Meridian. and in starting
the l. |. and G. ut Columbus, and in
cyeasing 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 ooun-
ties to send students. unless they want
to do So One thing is certain. no
county has 'er been refused room for
students, equal to its quota. II 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 better record
than the three most largely attended
A. and NJ. Colleges in the United States.
Oxford had one-half Of the attendance
(la87) from seven counties and other
States, and twenb.seven counties not
represented. A. and NJ. College Of
Alabama. and also the University, do
not show a. good q record rs our A.
and NJ. Michigan, seven counties and
other States have one-hali. and thirty
four counties not represented; Kansas,
four counties and other States one.half,
and thirty five counties not represented.
50 Il appears this objection had no
foundation by comparison. II 1t 10 .
crime. and needs legislation TO correct
IT. why not apply 10 all State colleges
desiring support from taxationp
8. It WIS claimed ttat only wsslthy
boys can attend the A and M. College,
The record shows that $l34 will cover
III necessary expenses, and over S25 Of
this year Is really for clothing. which
d not included In the necessary expenses