The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-02-26
It Sustains ''The State.
The Report of the Investi-
eating Committee.

The following report OF the recent
Investigation by legislative committee
into the workings of Clemson college
was yesterday handed representative
of The State:
To the Honorable Senate and House of
Representatives of South Carolina !:
That joiat committee consisting of
TWO members OF the senate and three
members Of the house of representatives
be appointed to make an investigation
into the workings Of Clemson college,
the service Of its various departments
and as to the foundation ofcertaiu rumors.
reporting aslack Of harmony in the
collaboration of the board of trustees.
That said committee have leave to sit at
such time aud places as will serve their
convenience aud that they have power
TO send for persons and papers and re
port to the present session of the gen
eral assembly by bill OF otherwise -
Under the above coucurrentresolutlon
we, the undersigned members of the
committee. acting through the authority
of the same. beg leave 20 make the fol-
lowing report thereon:
First, as to the workings Of Clemson
college. we beg to say that the COM
nittee visited the college on Thursday,
Feb. 9th, and remained there for nearly
three days that they personally iuspec-
ted and examined all the departments
of the institution and so far as they
were able by diligeut observation and
inquiry from the various heads aud
assistants Of said departments, would
say that systematic management and
apparent good order were clearly 'a-
dicated ADD especially was this observa-
able in the chemical, horticultural and
dairy departments. 1t appeared to the
committee that the mechanical depart
meut was also literally equipped for
perfect instruction in mechanics. but
upon consultation with the president Of
the college and majority of the board
OF trustees, we we're told that to grad
uate successfully the senior class (Which
is large) other additions Of machinery
to that department were absolutely
necessary, aud should be made at once.
As regards the agricultural depart
mept, in which connection the Hatch
fund for experiments in agriculture is
valuable addition, We saw no reason
or necessity for further outlay. with the
exception Of two additional instructors
which we're elected at the recent meet
inc Of the board Of trustees. We re-
cret TO add, but are nevertheless firmly
coo vinced from the testimony taken,
tina. sufficient attention has been sadly
lacking in pushing and perfectiog the
two paramount departments of the IN
stisutiou and agriculture.
The evident iptention of the protector
and founder Of the institution was to
give 10 South Carolina ao agricultural
and mechanical college. per. Sc. We
believe, however, that the board of trus-
sees aud the president are now thor
ougbly awakened to the Importance
that specially attaches to those two de
partmeots which Immediately concerns
and determines the future of the institu-
tion as such, aud that they will work
vigorously aud tremendously to that
end. Your committee would further
report that as pertaining to the rumor of
the lack of harmony 10 the board of
trustees that the testimony taken points
enthusiastically to the truth that suoh
was fact, aud that impedimcuts were
10 some instances interposed whisb
;mpeded OF stayed for time the prog
ress Of the institution.
We believe, however, that the cause
which provoked said condition has now
been removed by partial reorganiza-
ton of the faculty and the discharge of
certain professors aud instructors and
the election Of others which impressea
rs with the belief that hereafter the
board of trustees aud the president aud
faculty will work harmopiouiy and that
we may confidently look for success and
progress in that great institution ol
learning
We would say further that a cursory
examination of the bookkeeping OF the
college disclosed the fact that the books
of the Institution we're neatly aud sim
ply kept. aud that the plan of auditing
accounts aad making acquisitions fol
materials. etc.. disbursirg funds fol
various payments showed perfect system
and simplicity
We have considered also to some
extent the charge of extravaganza II
expenditures and from close observation
and 80 all outward appearances we art
led to conclude that while errcrs ane
mistakes aave doubtless been made, VI
nevertheless believe that all the larg'
sums of mooey heretofore appropria
i Co.. .nj .ootrol1o6 hy III