The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-01-20
Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1897.
Gov. Evans and Cl emson College.


The recent message Of Governor Evans to
the Legislature has much to say OF Clemson
College. A friend accounts for his stano
against the College in this way
"Governor Evans gave Clemson oiacK
eve in his last message. That was e1pecteu,
or something like 1t. He was very anNious ,'1s
when elected Governor to be made one OF the
trustees OF that Institution, but was not. 10
January, last year. when the college was uu,
der fire by the Senate ana HopSe; Tue ooato ,,o
was in Washington, telegraphed TO the ooaro
that be could not come, and asked that Evans
be allowed to lake his place on the ooara,
he is not a Trustee) His personal inspec-
tion" consisted In his stopping over at Ciem;
son and taking dinner with the SocK hiIi
girls on their return from the Atiante @ GHpo nSJSt
sition. and rumor says that ne spent one hisu'
with President Cralghead.
"Again In the recent election for senator: !:
In the first primary Evans got ~ ano Earle
go votes, out of los at Clemson. In the second
primary, after Superintendent of Education
Mayfieid and one or two others, had been al
Clemson possibly In the interest ot Governor
Evans, he got less than 30 votes NOW put an
these things together, and consider that there
is q great deal of "human nature" In most
men. and you have the sequel 10 that part oi
his message"
If these statements come any way near re-
fiecting the facts as they existed due allow
ance should be made for that part OF the mes
sage which treats Of Clemson. For some rea'
son unknown to US, 1t seems that no gooo
feeling existed between the Board OF Trus-
tees and the Governor. The Governor no
doubt felt that he had not been properly
treated by the Board. When we feel that we
have been mistreated, we generally see things
In O distorted condition.
If the Board of Trustees really did mis-
treat the Governor Of the State the fact Is to
be regretted. 1t was impolitic and unwise
for them to do so. In bis official position he
deserved that recognition which would have
made OF him friend OF the college, instead
Of an enemy.
But brushing aside all these personalities,
the people have nothing TO do with the feel
log which may exist between the Board OF
Trustees and the Governor. Even If the
Board had mistreated the Governor he should
not have used his official position to resent a
private pique.
II any one will take upon himself the
trouble to inform himself 1t Is almost certain
that he will be convinced Of the excellence Of
the institution, and be fully persuaded as to
the magnitude of the benefcent work which
II is doing for the youth Of the State. If any
man has doubt on this subject, let him write
to President Craighead for copy OF the cata-
logue OF the institution.
This newspaper was opposed to the estab-
lishment of the college, but since 1t has been
established, and since we have sought to
be informed on the work of the college, we
are believer In Clemson, and a supporter OF
methods and the men who control IT.
This newspaper became acquainted with
Mr.. Craig head at Abbeville several years ago
when we were holding a teachers institute.
and from that time until today we are for
President Craighead first, last and all the
time. We believe he is the right man In the
right place, aud we further believe that the
only shortage to be found In him lies in the
fact that be belongs to the wrong church. II
he were a Baptist, and not a Methodist, we
believe that we would never hear whimper
In opposition TO him. If he should be ousted,
see II Baptist does not I'LL the place. Be-
cause OF our belief in his competency
10 fill the place which he holds, and because
Of our belief that he is prosecuted on account
Of his religion, the Press and Banner will
stand by President Craighead until some
man can furnish good reason 10 induce US
to do otherwise.