The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-01-22
Indebtedness and liabilities incurred

the opening OF the college anu 49,
600 are for support and maintenance,
equipment, repairs, insurance, etc.
During the past year the strictest
economy has been practiced and the
salaries are lower than any other insti-
tuition in the State. For full report
as to the disbursement of the last ap-
preparation, you are respectfully re-
ferred to the report of the finance
committee of the board of trustees.
On account of the urgent appeals for
admission into the institution the
board had determined to ask for an ap
priation to complete the second dormi-
tory contemplated by the plan of the
architect. We have determined, how
ever, on account Of the stringency Of
the times and of other matters more
urgent, to leave this for future action
of your body.
This institution represents an invest
ment of $780, 900 to the State, of which
the city of Rock Hill subscribed 500
600. A cheaper and more remuner-
ative one has never been made. A
visit to the college by your body would
be gratifying to the president and
board of trustees, and I am satisfied it
is the only way in which you will re-
alize the magnitude of the work and
the magnifcence of the structure.
It must not be forgotten that we are
indebted in great measure for the
inception of this idea and the promo
tion Of the institution to the benevo-
lence of George Peabody, the great
friend of the South and to the cause of
education throughout our country. 1t
would be graceful act and recog-
milton of his benevolence for the
Southern States to join in erecting q
statute of this great philanthropist to
be placed in the rotnnda of the capitol
at Washington, amongst those of our
countrys heroes and statesmen. 1
would respectfully recommend that
you pass joint resolution empower
ing the governor of this State to cor
respond with the governors Of the other
Southern States, with view to carry
ing out this suggestion in paying COM
mon tribute to our benefsctor.
There seems to be great opposition
on the part of a number of our people
to free tuition in the higher institu-
tions of learning, and I doubt if the
principle of universal free tuition can
be defended. It is the duty OF the
State to provide free common schools
and free tuition in the State institu-
tions to those citizens who, by mis-
fortune or otherwise, are unable to
obtain higher education. The con-
stant agitation OF this subject is in
furious to oil the educational interests
of the State, and if by mutual conces-
sion the vexed question of free tuition
in State colleges could be settled on
some basis which will be just and
uniform and permanently satisfactoryit it
would be greatly desired.
During his recent visit to Europe
DR.. Edward S. Joynes, one of the
trustees of Winthrop college, made an
inspection of the leading industrial
schools for women in Germany and in
Paris. His interesting and valuable
report is appended to the report OF
this college.
SCHOOLS.
The annual report OF the Superin-
tendent of Education shows the public
schools of the State to be in as prosper
GUS condition as the funds devoted
to this purpose would warrant. The
enrolment for the year was 1O3, 729
whites, 1892 colored. aggregating
223, ,O21, decrease from the previous
year of 3,745. OF. this number, how
ever, 3,O19 were in the county OF
Beaufort, which leaves the average at.
tendance in the other counties about
the same as it was for the previous
year. The past four years will be
known as the great educational era OF
State. There seems to be general
enthusiasm among the people OF all
classes in this great work. There has
been gradual increase since 1890 in
the length of the school term, and it If
confidently expected that when the
new constitutional provisions are put
into operation the school term will be
increased to atleastsix months. With
this accomplished the educational sys.
tenn of South Carolina will be as com
:plete and efficient as that of any State
in the Union. The total amount ex,
pended during the lastfscal year upon
the common schools was 1858, TAB. 66,
which is as much as any State in the
Union in proportion to wealth. The
average length of the session is four
and three -tentbs months, or nearly
twice as long as the average length fol
1888. Eighty-eight special school DIS
tricts have increased the tax levy fol
school purposes, and in most, if moi
all of these, the school term is over
six months.
You are respectfully referred to the
excellent report of the Superintendent