The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-04-24

CoLuxBfA, April l7.-Below will be found
. copy of letter received . few days age
by Governor Tllman from Secretary Noble
in reference to the disposition Of the money
ft Of colleges Of agriculture and mechanic
arts:
DEPAhshsSr or The lNTERIoR,
WAsnISaroH, April Is, 1891.
So Hon. b. II. Tillman, Governor. Columbia.
Dear Sir: / am anxious to dispose Of the
funds to which your State 10 entitled under
the Act Of Congress Of August 80, 1890,
respecting the colleges Of agriculture aud
mechanic arts. lido na. consider the action
OF Jour Legislature &rolling my official
action or Judgment IN relation to this
As recommendation il has the highest
consideration, and has had all due Difference,
but 1t is for the Secretary Of the Interior to
determine these questions. Icannot consent
to divide the funds evenly, ss Recommend.
ed by the Legislature, between colleges for
the two races, where the per oentsge of school
sge for the white is 39S2 per cent, and
o0.1S per cent for the colored. II you are
willing to receive my construction OF the law
and my decision, shS4 be very glad to send
you the $4,000 now, and SIC, 900 more for
the second payment as soon as . satisfactory
report b received as to the disburssmea Of
the first instament.
Yours most respectfully,
JoHN w. NOBLE, Secretary.
To the above Governor Tillman replied ~
follows:
Tho Hon. John w. Noble, Secretary Of the
Interior, Washington, D. C,-Dear sir: Your
letter Of April ls, in reference to the dispo.
sae1en q the %3nsS aRpEogriated BY an As.
Of the colleges Of agriculture and mechanic
srts," has been received. had supposed
that correspondence on the subject was at an
end, because Section 2 Of tho Act provides
1.-The grant Of moneys authorized by the
Act are made subject to the Legislative as.
sent OF the several States and Territories tc
the purpose Of said grant"
Further, in Section l, the language is
1.-THE Legislature Of such State may propose
and report to the Secretary Of tho Interior
q just and equitable division Of the fund to be
received under this Act"
1t is clear, therefore, that this matter
must be determined by our Legislatures, and
not by me as Governor sod, 10 my mind,
it is equally clear that you will be straining
the power given you under Section 4, If you
continue to claim that an equal division is
not IN equitable" one.
AS Tar aS this State is concerned, we have
complied with all the conditions imposed in
Section /, where it is expressly stated that
"No money shall be paid out under this Act
TO any State or Territory Tor the support and
maintenance Of college where . distinction
OF race or color is made in the admission OF
students, but the establishment and main,en-
ance Of such colleges separately for white
1nd colored students shall bs held TO be q
compliance with the provisions Of the Act, il
the funds received in such State or Territory
be equally divided IS hereinafter set forth"
South Carolina has given one-half of the
proceeds Of the land script fund to Claain
College. There is special annual appro.
Priation Of $4,000 from the State treasury
to that school. We now proposes to give it
one half OF this fund, and consider that it is
"equsl," equitable" and Gust" so to do !;
and hope that, after studying the Act moro
closely, you will agree with me.
am very respectfully your obedient SER
want, B. r. TILLNAS,
Governor Of South Carolina.