The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-11-18
SHALL THE INSTITUTE BE
SACRIFICED?

This is question of vital I'M por'ai'ee
not oniy to every citizen OF this Town, outa'S:
to everyone IN the entire com m"a''S al
surrounding country. Seven years aso .n'
patriotic citIzens OF Manning, feeling Tx
need OF an educational INSTITUTION eTnlpa.
lble with their PRIDE, went ~ "oiN' a.
| the Manning Collegiate inSt.to'e "@S 'n'
result of their efforts. While they are oe
| serving of great praise tor what they lave
accom- ullshed, it must be said that tnefs
was lacking small degree o; energy whlch
II it had been properly directed at th'
proper time, would never have allowed
debt, com puratively small at hrst 10 uccu
muIate into such proportions as the one
which now hangs over the institute, anc
which, il not satisfied in short time, WI
absorb the entire property. The orlsina
debt of S5O0 has been doubled by lnteres
and costs, and will, when the sale Is con
summated, amount to about 81, lOO. Some
thing should be done, and done quickly
or otherwise the property will pass iron
under the control of the citizens who shoulo
rightly own and control 1t, into the hands
OF some private individual, who most prob
ably will convert the building into resi-
dence, and all the people have gained by
their former investment will be lost
through nothing less than lethargy
Awake, thoughtful citizens, to the peri
which threatens, not simply piece OF
property, but an institution OF learning,
which should be the pride OF everyone
here. Perhaps some think everything will
90 on all right, and that they will get the
same school advantages IN the future as
now. Do not be deceived, so lar as the
Institute is Concerned; for 10 nave and
enjoy the best school facilities 1t Is neces'
sary for the school to be owned and con
trolled by the parties most interested.
Many OF NY friends have from time to
time earnestly entreated me to buy the
property, and run the school on. desire
to say to such ones that highly appreciate
the confidence they have in me, yet can
not entertain the idea of the purchase OF
the property and, besides, if dla.
would be going counter to the dictates OF
nv conscience, for do not think 1t a
good policy to allow the property to fall
into the hands of any private party what
ever. have exerted all the influence OF
which am possessed to get the people en-
thused enough to take some steps by which
the debt could be paid and the property
secured for q lasting possession to the
citizens of the town. Mr.. Applet, IN q
strong editorial last week. emphasized the
duties now devolving upon the people, and
it seems to me NV words are so weak ID
comparison with his that ! feel Ike this
appeal will also 60 nnheeded. Inc mos'
plausible plan have to advocate Is 1or NJ
teen or twenty OF the leading citizens TO
contribute by subscription sufhclent
amount to purchase the property at reas-
enable figure, then allow the property to
90 to sale. and then buy it IN and reissue
stock to those subscribers. By this plan
the transfer of the property would be legal
and all the old stock would be cancelled,
and the new company could then Own and
Operate it as they saw fit. It vii! De a burn
ing shame to allow that nice piece OF prop
ertv to be sacrificed for tue lack ot 81, lUO,
which the citizens OF Manning are tally
able to meet, ii they will but consider the
question properly. The property has III
ready been advertised for sale, und what
ever is done, must be dcTe within the
next few days, or it may be too late. III
nv mind, it is not question of whether OF
notyou are able TO contribute nifty (93U) OF
-seyenty-tive tS75l to save the Institute ooI
whether you can afford to sec the property
which cost thrse times the indebtedness,
sacrificed, without at least making noble
effort for its perpetuity as an institution Of
learning. # yoa &c allow it to 60, don
complain about the lack OF proper schooI
facilities; and, furthermore, don't have the
brass to make an effort to erect another
school building for several years to come
for if YOU do, this lack Of public spirit Will
ever rise up before you. A word to the wise
is sufficient. + D. BROWNE.