The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-08

ililioo llhS GiO UOSSoA SVi Vio'SiiSo ~ WIN
roadside.
STATE SUPPORT.
There it must be confessed deep
seated and just conviction among the
masses, that we are spending too
much money for higher education and
not enough for the common schools.
1t cannot be denied that our education
system is top heavy, but there is no
institution in the State performing the
peculiar work of the citadel. There
are few in the South so we'll fitted for
military institutions per Sc. The liter
ary training is duplicated in many
places. but the military at few save
West Point.
If thought the destruction Of every
State college was necessary to give us
a complete common school system, I
would be in favor of doing away with
them all, for believe in the greatest
good to the greatest number. This
would not however increase one iota
the efficiency of our common school
system Indeed I think the contrary
would be true, for careful study of
the census will show, that the States
with the best facilities for higher edu.
cation, have the best common school
systems. In South Carolina, it is cer-
tainly true, for since the building of
Clemson and the agitation upon the
subject of schools there has been a
marked improvement in the free
school system of this State. and there
is plenty of room for more. Some
superficial thinkers imagine that State
aid for colleges and common schools,
rest upon different governmental prin-
ciples, because they claim one is for
the few, the other for the many. This
is partly true as a fact but tie man
who uses that as an argument against
State aid for colleges, fails to compre-
hend the basis upon which rests The
obligation of a government to educate
lis children. He confounds the indi.
vidual, with that great complex aggre'
CATION of individuals, called the State.
He utterly confuses private with pub
lie rights.
Individually, I, John L. McLaurin,
have no more right to demand that
the State pay for the tuition of my
children, than I have to expect it to
pay my doctors bill, or other items of
domestic expense. It is the public, not
the individual interest in the matter,
which creates the duty and gives i'm.
portance to education as matter OF
government policy. Viewed in this
light it is easy to see that the same
principle applies to common school
and college. Another has said, State
education rests upon great public
grounds, its foundations are political
and moral, and it is only permissible
from the close relationship, which the
experience of ages has demonstrated
exists between the public welfare and
all the elements of traditional pros
perity on the one hand and the en-
lightenm ant of the population on the
other" 1t is not for the rich that
State aid is wanted they can get it
anyway either in or out of the State,
but many a poor lad has made great
man, through a collegiate education,
from State aid, when he could have
received il in no other way.
There should be ample educational
facilities in this State so that none
need 90 abroad for an education.
A MILITARY SCHOOL.
There is something peculiar about a
military school, the uniform, the
regular routine, the discipline and
formalities, is fascinating and for
some natures no place will so we'll de-
velop the best that is in them. l know
I needed just such training to hold me
in check.
often laugh now at how much we
stood in awe of Colonel Thomas, his
formal politeness, dignifed bearing
and military promptness. absolutely
overwhelmed us. He was a bigger
man to us than the "Czar of all the
Russia's." How every boy that had
been up to some devilment trembled
when we were drawn up in line and
the Colonel walked slowly up and
down and looked at us. I have suffer-
ed the tortures of trial. condemnation
and execution, for I felt he was look.
ing right straight at me, and knew
that broke GARRISON last night. What
sigh of relief, I heaved when he
passed, and what mental VOW J
swore. Never, never, to do so any.
more. To tell the truth I haven't got
entirely over it yet. I remember
meeting the Colonel a few years ago
in Columbia, with a cigar in my
mouth, and boys, before I knew what
I was doing, I slipped it out of my
mou'h b, eased it round behind me, and
out into the gutter. Perhaps | ought
to say however that it wasn't very
good cigar, but if it had been so cent
full havanah, I would never stand up
and smoke in Colonel Thomas face,
and he is the last man on earth that
| I would wish to know that was gull
ty of a dishonorable or mean thing,
and there is no treasure | value more
than his confidence and respect. A
teacher and school like that is what
I want for my boy.
| PROBLEMS OF THE HOUR.
Coming fresh from the great centre
of political activity, few thoughts on
the problems of the hour will not be
amiss. No man of intelligence doubts
that we are in period of rapid politi
cal and social evolution. Everybody
feels that there is something out Of
gear in this huge governmental ma
chine, because it does not respond
readily. as in days of yore, to the
popular wish or need. The rapic
growth of executive power is fas
crystalizing a contest between Con
gress, representing the people, and the
Executive, representing entrencheo
lmonopoly. tits the same old fight Of