The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-02-25
The General Assembly.
The College Appropriations in the House.
FIRST ONE WAY AND THEN AN
OTHER.
a Majority Outs Down tho South
Carolina College to $21 ,OOO--This
Action is Virtually Rcscindcd the
Next Day.
Columbia State.

this was to bring it down to the figures
of last year. He argued that all these
State institutions should be cut down;
the professors should not be paid &c
much. He could not sec how it took
30 much to run the college. He wanted
all the colleges reduced. He wanted
to do what was right. The professors
should not be paid more than any other
hard-WOrlSed men.
Mr.. Kennedy moved to amend the
amendment so as to reduce the appro-
priation to ST., 900. He presented a
schedule of ideal salaries that should be
paid.
MIR. DeLoach then spoke earnestly
and vigorously against these proposed
reductions. 1t was shame to vote
nero pittances to thee institutions.
TO vote for such reductions meant the
crippling Of these colleges. They could
not run the colleges with cheap pro-
tessional men. If you want to starve
them out, do not give them one cent.
AS he concluded, there was wave
OF applause from the students and
ladies in the galleries. The speaker
at once raped for order and announc-
ed that If such demonstration was re.
peated he would have the galleries
cleared.
Mr.. Toole was opposed to the amend
ment to the amendment, but thought
that in view of tho States financinl
condition S2l 900 WAS enough; he rep
resented the taxpayers.
Mr. Slmklns wanted the $25 900 ap-
preparation made. TO cut it meant
the dealing OF q severe blow to the en-
tire educational system of tho State.
Make this reduction, and how much
money will you save? The $25, 900 ap.
preparation cost each citizen about 2
cents You would save less than q
cent apiece by the reduction. The
South Carolina College had fewer pro-
fessors than any high grade college in
the country.
Mr. Mauldn said he did not wish to
injuio or crpole t'e higher institu-
tions of leisrnjng. Whenever. the
Legislature began to practice econo-
my the cry OF starving them was ut
once raised. The poor man felt the
burden of th~so spec nj privileges. He
wanted to d,al out equal rights to ALL
MI. Bacot oriety stated his observa-
lions and experience rs u trustee.
He vent there Ignorant Of the inner
workings Of the college. he found
there IL body OF men than whom none
stand higher in this country. He re-
ferrod to their earnest work, giving
up their holidays to work in summer
schools. AID all this upon reduced
salaries. If they did anything, it
should be to increa g and put this COL
lege on q puc with the other leading
institutions If this }and.
Mr.. Speer did not wish to antagoniZe
the South Carolina College, but it
should be run economically. a man
should pay for higher education. He
t ok Erskine College, which ran on ap
income Of S., 900 and graduated about
II students. He cited other State in
stitut lions and then said that with $25,-
OUO the South Carolina college had
graduated only two and two halves "
students These would not bo worth
such sum to the Stats, no matter who
they might be.
Mr.. Rogers was friend of the COL
lege, and would be willing to cut to
$2i 900, but not below. He favored
tuition fees and thought that they
should be paid by every student.
Mr.. Bacot said that many of the
students there now paid tuition fees of
$40 q year. Over $4,000 was paid in
fees last year.
Mr.. Blythe thought that $2i 900 was
sufficient to meet all the expenses for
the proper maintenance of the college,
He quoted some figures to sustain his
position.
MIR. Patton said he hardly knew
where to begin, the arguments had
been twisted about 80 much. His
friend from Abbeville had concluded
that higher public education was USE
less. The half civilized nations even
provided for higher education. The
history Of the world showed that such
education was beneficial TO the State.
He denied tho force of the argument,
that tho appropriation was too large.
If the committee had said $50, 900 he
had o little suspicion that some would
have been satisfied with $25 900. There
was desire to make show of reduc-
tion. Senator Tillman bad recon-
mended that a perpetual apprOpria-
tion OF $50, 900 be given the college and
that 1T be taken out of the annual dis.
cussion. Tillman had carefully looked
into the matter and he was friend OF
higher education by the State. He in.
cldentally called attention to the de.
lightful economy practiced by the
house few days ago in voting to &C.
cept pay when they would be doing
nothing but enjoying themselves In
Charleston. Ho then cited the figures
of 81 States showing that the only two
making smaller appropriation than
South Carolina were Montana and
New Mexico. If We 60 down to the
figures suggested, South Carolina viii
be at the very tai. If the members
would not marry the old South Caro-
lima College cvery year and thus teach
the young 1at the college was q fraud
upon the state tlcy would find the
student boly doubled. AS their stcr
ling young Cover nor had told them
tho future II the State depended upor
the higher education OF tho youth.
MIR. Patton went on to say that it wa
wonder that the college lived undc
such annual attacks. Give tho cOlleg,
oil you can for nvo years anl sto
pul ing at i. II it docs not rebound f
the benefit Of tho State | will assist il
pulling it Gown.
Mr.. Polk TX said he was one .f thos
friends Of the ins tuition who ante