The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-14
ST, MARy'S SCHOOL
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nronertv was too large, but he was now
convinced that $4,000 was a fair price
for II The interest he thought too great,
hut the church had the option of paying
the interest or paying the principal when
over she saw fit to do so. The State
now had a great girls school, furnishing
education to girls at cost and the church
schools must reduce their price or go out
of business. If the church was going to
contend with the State school, it had to
raise this $4,000. If it were not done
the church school would have to go to
the wall.
All the resolutions were adopted Sc
riatim. and reported by the committee
of the Whole back to the Convention with
the recommendation that they do pass.
Before the vote could be taken the
discussion began anew. Mr.. II. "A. Lon
don could not see exactly how the church
was TO meet so great a debt, which he
considered far too high for the property
He believed in applying the same princi-
nles to church finances as to private
matters. He agreed with Mr.. Cooper
that it were better to continue to lease
the property rather than buy it.
by Mr.. John Wilkes. He thought the
debt too great to be incurred with so few
resources at hand. He feared that in
coming years it might have to be sold for
debt.
IF this property is not now purchased =
said DR.. r. H. Lewis, ''the death knell
of st. Mary's School is rung. You have
got to put up the $4,000 or shut up
the school. And what is more, if this
opportunity is lost, doubt very seriously
if the property can ever again be bought.
1t will be much easier to raise money
to pay interest on purchase money than
to raise the money to pay the rental
Mr. John Wilkes thought the price not
too high-when all the hallowed traditions
lingering about the walls Of that famous
school are considered. Yet there were
many things that one cannot afford to
buy, even at a reasonable price-when one
hasn't the money to pay for them.
Mr.. r. II. Battle said he appreciated
the condition of affairs. If this property
were not bought lit would have to be
closed. But he had very grave doubts
about the schools ever being made
a success unless a radical change were
wrought in its methods and management.
He thought DIR. Smedes ought to be kept
where he is, but progressive, active
young man ought to be associated with
him. Rather than see the school closed,
however, he would vote for the resOlu-
tons against his best judgment.
DR.. Kemp p. Battle thought at least
$4,000 could be raised. He had some
doubt as to the ability Of the Bishop to
secure the other $40, 600 for scholarships
and improvements. He did not think if
the property were bought, the alumnae
and the church would allow it to be
sacrificed. Ee< te
The Importance of taking some def
mite action. so that those contributing
might know to what purposes their con-
tributions would be devoted, was pointed
out by Mr. Chas. E. Johnson. Under the
plan proposed, the Diocese could lose but
little. There was some $4,000 or 81 900
that had long been lying idle in the treas
ury, and he knew of no better use to
which it could be put.
Mr.. Cooper explained that while he
thought the price fully high and the in
terest too high, yet, if the debt were con-
tracted, he would do as much toward
paying it as any one else Of the same
ability. If the step were taken he wanted
it done with the determination to carry
it to successful conclusion.
Rev. Dr. Pittinger had bO0n struck by
the number Of important conversions,
during the session, to st. Mary's. He
wanted to add himself to the list of con-
verts. 1t was, he thought, a great step,
but most important one, and he behev
ed that the Diocese would be able to
meet the obligation.
A vote by orders was called for by
General Glenn, who, in explanation Of
his call, explained that he did not think
the Diocese ought to take upon itself
so great a burden. If the people Of Raj
eigh wanted st. Mary's he believed they
would give $4,000 to keep it open, indie
pendent of being Episcopalians.
After this discussion, the resolutions
were adopted by unanimous vote by the
clergy, and by almost unanimous vote
of the laymen, only three voting against
them