The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-05-19

| Turned Out.
Although little has heretofore been
said about it in the newspapers it has
been pretty we'll known that harmony
had flown from the councils of the
faculty of the State Colored College,
which is located al Orangeburg. The
institution has only been in existence
for year, and as it had received a
most liberal patronage from the ne
grces of the State it was hoped that it
would meet with no obstacles 10 mar
it's efficiency aud success. When the
college had scarcely been running
twelve months it had on lis rolls no
less than !, 100 students, record pos.
sibly never before equalled in this
country. The commencement exer-
cises Of the first year have recently
been held, ard everything seemed to
be moving along for the advantage of
the institution and its inmates. But
recently discordant note has come
from the faculty. 1t would seem that
that body has divided itself into two
factions, and many people fear that
the fight between the partisans will
seriously initiate against the future
usefulness of the college.
The News and Courier says the
trouble seems to be over the presideu-
cy Of the institution. That Office has
been and is now held by Mr.. Thomas
Miller, who has for many years been
a leading man among mis- race in
South Carolina. His political record
has gained for him many enemies
ID has called down upon him much
condemnation at times, but no one
has ever questioned his ability. The
| full import of the complaints against
President Miller will doubtless not be
known until the meeting of the board
of trustees of the college, which is to
be held on the goth Of this month, but
there is no question of the fact that
charges have been preferred against
him. 1t is reported that the opposition
] is composed of no less than five mem
bers of the faculty of seven professors
aud it is said that it is led by Prof.
Palmer, who fills the chair of Latin and
Greek. Tie complaints against Presi-
dent Miller were made to the local
mem bers of the board of trustees, and
| it is believed that the dissatisfied mem
bers of the faculty will ask to have
President Miller deposed and one of
| their own number elected in his stead.
At one time it was thought that Prof.
Palmer would be candidate for the
place, but the latest reports seem to
indicate that Prof. Gilbert, who fills
the modern language chair, will be
put forward by his colleagues as the
opponent of President Miller. At this
distance it is hard to learn the exact
nature of the charges made by the
faculty against their president. The
only accusation of a specific character
yet heard here is to the effect that
President Miller's deportmsnt has not
been so dignifed on occasions as some
of the faculty thought that it should
have been, and it is also rumored that
he has used language on the campus
and elsewhere which did not become
man in his position. These matters
have all been laid before the board OF
trustees, however, and they will doubt
less receive proper attention at the
meeting which is to be held next week.
Hearing much of these troubles a,
the State Colored College reporter
for the News and Courier called yes
terday on the Rev. J. 81. NJ. Pollard,
rector of st. Marks Church, and ask
ed him for an interview on the sub
iect. MIR. Pollard was known to have
recently preached the baccalaureate
sermon before the students of the in
stitution, and as he remained in Or
angeburg throughout the commence
ment week of the college it was sup
posed that he could throw some light
on the subject. When spoken to yes.
terday he said:
II was invited by the unanimous
vote of the president and faculty of
the State Colored College, Orange
burg, to preach the baccalaureate ser,
mon to the first graduates on May Q,
and accepted the same without hesita-
ton. That action on their part is sat-
Iisfactory evidence of their confidence
in me, and consequently whatever [
may say will be SAID as friend OF all
and we'll wisher of the college. l
had carefully noted and studied this
school from its beginning and tried to
embody in my sermon such instruc.
ton and wholesome advice as would
help all interested in its future. l
spent the entire closing week with
them and participated in some way in
almost all their exercises, and must
confess that they met all my expects-
tions and reached even beyond. 1t is
wonderful to see the amount of work
in buildings and other material ways
and the added school accomplishments.
president Thomas E. Miller has
manifested business like energy and
power far above the average man and
deserves the esteem of the colored peo-
pie of this State. The local board of
trustees, under the direction of the
board, must receive, as is justly due,
their share of the success of this great
undertaking It is needless to multi
ply words. Their works speak for
them.
"But I am sorry to see friction be-
tween President Miller and certain
members of the faculty, which must,
in a measure, result disastrously to
the college, and especially to those
engaged in it. As friend of the COL
lege, a member of the race and citi.
zen of the State, seeking the best in
terest of I'll within its borders, de.
plore the present condition of things
and earnestly advise the disafected
members OF the faculty to adjust their