The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-07-21
Keen Cool About Clemson.

To the Editor Of the News and Courier:
I was appointed a life trustee of Clemson
College without my knowledge or con-
sent. At great Inconvenience and much
personal sacrifice I have ~endeavored to
discharge my full duty from the founda-
ton OF the College to the present time.
Criticisms, filings and sneers ut the board
have hitherto failed to provoke from me
a reply. I have kept the even tenor Of
my way, sustained by a consciousness OF
the fact that I am but n member OF a
board OF thirteen, and that | have always
tried to do my duty wiz an eye single to
the highest and best interests ofthe whole
people, to whom the College belongs.
Even now I write in the interest of others
rather than myself, and for the sake OF
truth. That the board has made many
mistakes I do not for a moment doubt.
Legitimate criticism, made in the proper
spirit, Is both right and healthful. This
we invite, for it develops strength and
light and life. What I object to is the
strained relations rapidly being developed
between the members of the State board
OF health and the trustees, the authorities
Immediately in charge of the College, and
others friendly to the institution.
This feeling seems to me to be altogether
unnecessary and unwarranted
The board of health made a report las
to the resent outbreak of fever at Glenn
son. which they now admit was not care
fully and fully prepared. The board of
trustees, anxious for the safety of the
College, and face to face with high medl-
cal authority antagonistic to the views
held by the board of health, ventured to
point out what they thought to be several
grave errors (matters Of fact In the report
Of the board of health. Whereupon one
member of the health board publishes
for the first time vital and important
data which should have bsen in the COM
mittee's official report. Another member
feels it his duty to place the board OF
connected Herewith under the surgeons
knife. After flaying them alive, he pro-
ceeds to offer them up as q sacriice-a
part, fttingly, upon mount Ignorance
and q part upon mount Imbecility." But
the unkindest cut Of all 10 the suggestion
that there are those who would knowing
ly "guard the secret" (true nature of the
fever at the College) 'and let fathers and
mothers come, and, after weary days and
nights of ceaseless vi. ,, and with bleed
ing hearts, carry back to their homes
their own dear dead" I submit Mr..
Editor, that such language does not con-
tain the words Of wisdom and Of soberness
one has a right to expect from q distin-
guished scientific expert writing a State
paper on 80 grave a subject. I half sus-
peot my esteemed friend will admit the
soft impeachment. Others in reply have
written with heat and bitterness. A
fourth deliverance Is promised by the
board Of health; and the end is not yet.
But my intention Is not to wound or to
stir up feeling. My sole aim is to allay
feeling. Lei all concerned keep cool. Let
the white searchlight Of truth be turned
on the College and It's management. Let
feeling and passion and prejudice be rele'
gated to the rear, and let pure patriotism
and clear. headed reason and hard common
sense be heard and needed, and all will
be well. The trustees, I am sure, will do
all in their power to make the sanitary
condition Of the College all that it ought
to be. Then, II wise councils prevail,
Clemson College will indeed be one of the
brightest gems in the educational crown
of the State. J.. E. WANNAMAKER.