The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-07-21
CLEMSON COLLEGE.
Prs sid. mt Craighead's Last Official
Report.

Frt SID MT C~rsl8neaos Last Ohcla!
Report.
The following is the final report OF
President Craishead, who has recent.
ly resigned the presidency OF Clemson
To the Board Of Trustees: In view
of my resignation which has been
rendered you, through the president OF
the board, I have thought it not amiss
briefly to summarize the work of the
past four years. The enrolment has
been as follows:
1923. 74S
ooI
1850
1850 44U
The enrolment of students during
the first two years was abnormally
large by reason of the fact that many
students came hare out of mere
curiosity and being without fixed pur-
pose soon left. Again, few of the de.
partments at that time were adequately
equipped, the barracks at times over.
crowded, four cadets frequently &C
cupying the same room, professors
and students unacquainted with each
other and thus, it is probable, that
students seriously inclined left dis.
az appointed. At any rate the average
attendance during the first two years
was scarcely greater than during the
past two. During the year just closed,
the average attendance has been about
three hundred, all the rooms Of the
barracks occupied most of the time,
two boys to the room. The cadets
who now come here have for the most
part serious purpose and the popu-
larity of the institution rests upon a
much more solid basis than aver be-
fore. Clemson is still the largest
school of the kind in the South. We
are far better prepared for thorough
work than ever before.
The mechanical department is al.
ready as well equipped as similar de.
partments in the Oldest and best
Southern agricultural and mechanical
colleges. There is reaso to believe
that the department may be made the
polytechnic school of the South, Civ
ing not only practical instruction in
the mechanic arts, but excellent
courses in civil, electrical and mocha
nical engineering.
The department OF chemistry has all
along been admirably conducted. Few
institutions offer better opportunities
for the study of chemistry.
The departments of horticulture,
botany, veterinary science, dairying,
geology and mineralogy offer excel
lent opportunities for instruction both
practical and theoretical. The &C ado
mic department., including mathema'
tics, English and history offers cour'
ses as extensive as a be in the time
allowed.
The agricultural department has suf
fered from frequent changes. The
chair of agriculture in a Southern
school is hard to fill. It calls for a
man who possesses not only scientific
training, but practical kno wledge OF
the details of the farm, ability to
teach, and the power to inspire others
with a love of agricultural pursuits.
Such a man was the late Prof. Nc
Gee, but his untimely death left the
chair of agriculture vacant. The
present incumbent, DR.. w. j. Quick,
has suffered from serious illness dur
ing the past session and thus the work
Of the department has been greatly
impeded. Hence for reasons beyond
my control this department has not
met the reasonable expectations of its
friends.
The preparatory department has
bsen and still is a necessity here, |
have all along been of the opinion
that only the most successful and ex
p~erienced teachers should be employed
in the training school. Bright young
graduates may, as tutors, render valu'
able assistance to College professors,
but the fitting school demands the
very best teaching talent.
The library contains several volumes
and is daily opened to cadets.
Isubmit herewith the financial state.
ments of the professors in the several
departments.
The work of holding farmers in.
stitutes has been constantly growing
in magnitude and interest. Institutes
have already been held at the follow.
ing places: Greers, Gaffney, Fair.
view, Johnston, McColl, Seneca. and
Winnsboro. Engagements have been
made for holding institutes in the fol-
lowing counties at an early day: Or
augsburg, Darlington, Marion, Ker-
shaw, York, Chester, 'Barnwell, Sa-
luda, Newberry, Lexington, Union,
Colleton, Anderson, Abbeville.
The work Of the session just closed
has been most successful. The average
attendance of students has been better
than aver before. The health Of the
students until the recent outbreak OF
malarial fever has been excellent. The
department of cadets has been admir-
able. None have been expelled and
but few dismissed. The faculty is
composed of able, energetic men and
work tremendously together.
In conclusion it affords me great
pleasure to thank most sincerely the
members of the board who have
supported me so loyalty during the
past four years and wish for Clemson
the largest possible success.
A White Fiend.
Almost horrible and disgusting crime
has come to light in CLASSY Mountain
tounebip Hroanui1la County We'd.