The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-30

should arrange for its being restored. ! de-
cided at once, both in the interest OF the
school and as a matter Of economy, 10 the
preservation OF the States property. that IL
was better to rebuild without waiting TIL ac-
tion could be had by the General Assembly.
Had the insurance money been palo lnlo tue
treasury there was no authority OF law to use
1t, and besides l did not like to assume the re-
sponsib:lity Of deciding how much of the in
surance money was due the Slate. The 1nsur-
ance ompanfes then proposed TO restore tne
building rather than pay the whole OF the m
basis. Desiring to see that the work was thor
oughly done, appointed as the agent OF the
State 10 supervise the contract Maj. c. S. Gads-
den, resident member OF the board OF Visi-
tors. There was no fund out Of whica to pay
him for this service, but he cheerfnliyNnder-
took IT as labor OF love, and gave much val
liable time to the WORK. Advantage was
taken OF the opportunity offered. as far as IT
new and valuable features to the reconstruct
ed building; and the institution Is now In
perfect condition and far better adapted 10
the purposes of the school than 1t was before
the fire. Maj. Gadsden's report is on file In
my Office. together with all the vouchers and
papers connected with the matter, and 1t al
fords me pleasure to testify to the thorough
and business-lfke way in which he discharged
the responsible duty imposed on him.
The attendance at the school Is satisfactory.
1877 students haying matriculated at the begin.
ming OF the present ses sion. There Is copsio,
cradle complaint Of favoritism and abuse OF
the purpose OF the school as intended for poor
boys only; and though the b1ard Of visitors
appear to have exercised every precaution.
such things are inseparable from an institu-
| tton Of this kind and their prevention almost
impossible. Owing to the better advantages
offered to boys living In or near towns OF the
State In attending good schools, the country
boys are at disadvantage in u competitive
examination, and the prize OF cadetship In
this Institution, which is worth s., 200, rarely
goes to them. 1t would appear too, that TO
broaden the school and 10 increase It's useful
ness it you'd be better 10 double the number
OF benefciaries, allowing for each $50 year
! the cost per capita. enable a greater number
! TO receive the advantages Of this noble benef-
cence, and deficit TO be paid by the students
themselves Then IT, as hope, the public free
schools shall attain that degree of excellence
which alone will entitIe them to long exist
ence, these cadetships could be open TO poor
boys as prizes to be contended for, and award
ed under the auspices Of the county teachers
associations. The ambition of teachers and
students both would thus be stimulated. the
boys TO get the place and the teachers to have
their students to get them. And We would
certainly be rid Of the complaints now CON-
ing from many quarters that the town school
boys are receiving nearly all the benefit OF
tins charity, and that, too, when they are not
entitled to IL.
1t is not always the brightest boy or the one
who answers the questions best at the exami-
nations. for 1t is frequently only difference
Of opportunity. .-.
II a certificate, under oath of the three
sides were required, of the Inability Of the
boy or his relatives TO pay for bis education, 1t
would largely do away With the com plants
which are made about boys who are able 10
pay their way getting the appointments.
What the State wants, and what was contem-
plated when the Citadel was founded, was 10
take the brightest youths among the poorer
classes and give them a practical education.
The welfare and popularity OF the school will
depend on this scheme being honestly carried
out and the elimination Of the abuses which
now certainly exist. If these recommends
tions meet your approval, In the counties
duct Of the examinations and the investiga-
tion as to property, ETC., could be placed in
charge OF the members OF the General Assem-
oily, who for political reasons, II for no other,
forced.
THE WINTHROP SCHOOL.
This institution, which is still being con.
Quoted in the city OF Columbia. is in most
fourishing and satisfactory condition and do
ing admirable work; The act passed at the
ing an industrial college for girls in conjnnc-
tion with normal school has resulted IN
nothing up to this time. The city Of Ander-
son was the highest bidder and offered $4,000.
Before issuing and delivering the bonds 1t was
found that this debt, In addition 10 what the
city owed. exceeded by a small amount the S
per cent limit prescribed by the heconstituttop
and TO leave no shadow on the validity of the
bonds friendly law suit was begun and ar
gued last April in the Supreme Court to have
the questions involved passed upon. The de-
cislon OF that tribunal has just been made
board of trustees will have to reopen the bids
for the location of the college. Had the court
favored Us with its decision sooner. which we
had right to expect in SO important mat
ter, the school would have been thrown open
T., competition OF other places and at tnis
time would have been far on the way to COM
pietion.
The Hon Robert c. Winthrop, president OF
the Peabody Board. whose honoTed name the
school bears, has always taken the deepest in.
terest in its welfare. On his account. az well
as because We have well founded hope that
when the Peabody Fund is distributed this
school Will receive large endowment, it is a
matter OF deep concern to every person inter
ested in female education and in normal
training, that this important branch of our
educational system shall have permanent
and suitable foundation OF its own; and We
will hope that when your honorable body
again assemblies this will have been accom-
pl!Shed,
THE INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF, THE DUMB
AND THE BLIND.
There is yet ano ther State institution which
while 1t does not furnish higher education, oc-
cupies an important place In Our school sys-
TEN, and appeals strongly to the sympathy
aud kindly feeling of every citizen. 1t is the
institute at Cedar Spring, Spartanburg conn
ty, where those unfortunate children, who are
deficient II one or more of the senses, receive
their training. ! always recall with pleasure
my visit 10 this school last year, when I made
a thorough inspection OF IT, and became salts.
fed that, under the admirable management
| OF the superintendent, Mr.. N. +. Walker, and
his noble wife. the money that had been given
was made to accomplish wonders, and that
there is nothing to be desired in that direc
ton. While the ordinary supposition would
be that it was gloomy and sad place. found
| 1t in reality nome, full Of bright faces aud
| happy hearts. The increase In the mum Der o,
students has been considerable, requiring a
| corresponding increase 10 the maintenance
| fund. and feel that can confidently rely on
the General A ssembly to give all that is ask
| ed. for its past management Is a guarantee o
the money being spent TO the very best ad
vantage.
! ,CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY.
| Last but not least among the States institu
| tions OF higher education is Clafin College
situated at Orangeburg. This Is conceded tC
| be one of the best cOlored coiieses in the
South. There are over COG students in attend
ance, and the colored youths of both sexes Al {
being trained here In almost every industrial
and mechanic art. while receivinga good Eng
lish education. The trustees OF the South Car