The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1901-07-06
A. and NJ. College commencement

I
Mississippi Agricultural and Mechani-
cal College marked a distinctive era
In the splendid progress of this institu-
tion, which is, In truth an honor to the
people who have made its existence and
maintenance possible. Where so many
causes for pride exist. it is hard to
single out any for special comment.
but we feel that 1t Is due the college,
its faculty. its trustees. and the legis-
lature back of them all, TO tell our
that have conspired to make this year
memorable one, In the rise of our
noble training school for young men.
To begin with the books show an at
tendance of more than 500 boys last
year. and no school in Mississippi has
ever before done this. The legislature
gave the college $4,000, for the erec-
tion of the Textile building and new
dormitory. the largest special appro-
priation granted by the State in any
one year, since the erection of the
main buildings twenty years ago. The
old plank walks have been replaced
by gravel-a complete system of sewer
age and drainage has been installed;
a steam laundry. and steam heat for
the buildings will add immensely to
the comfort and convenience of the
student body next year. This admits
! of the placing OF numerous bath rooms
with hot and cold water, and of In
Vulnerable conyeniences and comforts
In the daily work of the boys. A
fine artesian well supplies the purest
water, and we hope will do away with
any feyers that may ever have pre-
vailed In that section. All of these
improvements tend to make President
Hardy's first years work grand one.
But 1t is the perfectly planned and
appointed Textile School (now ready
for the students), on the grounds of
the A. and M. College, that sets this
institution upon an eminence that en-
ables it to look down upon every other
institution of similar nature in the
world. This is broad assertion, but
one that facts prove readily. Say what
we will-hope as we may-we can not
keep Mississippi from being, first and
last, cotton State. fhis being the
case, 1t behooves us to make the best
we can of it, and so encourage its
growth. culture and manufacture as to
make us all rejoice that we have a
Cotton State" To do this and to
teach the boys of the State all about
this culture and manufacture, this Tex
tile School was wisely provided for.
This limited space can not serve for
fitting notice of this grand enter
prise. 1t takes many columns for
that-but we can not refrain from add
Ing our voice to the mighty chorus of
approval and of joy that is rising from
the people of our State, because of this
great gift to her children. Singularly
fortunate in all the undertakings con-
nected with this work, the Textile
building'as it now stands, finished and
furnished with everything known to
the work in hand, is a model for all
States to follow. There is nothing
lacking, and our boys can now learn
all concerning cotton, from the sowing
of the seed, to the selling of the ex-
Quisite fabrics woven in seven color
patterns. and intricate designs at their
own school. Nor is this all. They
will learn all about the management
of the cotton mills that are SO soon to
dot our Southland over, during a few
years Of practical study, and will not
need, as heretofore, to spend a life
time in mill, to learn the business.
The opening of tnis branch of the A.
and M. College work IS the opening of
q bright era for the State and for her
boys, and we rejoice because of 1t.
To one who Is but an onlooker 1T
seems incredible that the work Is al
ready so advanced as to have allowed
the manufacture. during opening week.
of fabrics of exquisite texture, color
and fnish-table cloths, ginghamg
domestics, etc. All made from home
grown cotton, in home mandatory,
with the aid of our own boys-and we
are certain utilized wherever 1t can be
procured in our own homes. God
speed and prosper this great work
for the youth of Mississippi.
Tammany Hall has. In its time,
doubtless held many eloquent speakers,
but we feel perfectly safe as to the
result OF a comparison between any of
them and our own silver tongued ora
tor" Col. Chas. e. Hooker, congress
man from the 7th district. The Fourth
of July is the day set apart for his
speech in Tammany Hall, New York.
But for the fact that Col. Hooker ac-
cepted this invitation some time ago,
New Orleans patriotic celebration
would, doubtless. have been enhanced
by his presence. Indeed, number of
cities have fought against each other
for the pleasure Of listening to our
popular congressman's eloquence on
this Fourth Of July.
Mr.. A. K Shaifer Of Port Gibson, re.
Gently sent a large box Of Magnolias
and other Southern flowers from the
Port Gibson battlefield to the Mitchell,
Ind, @. A. R., to use in decorating the
graves of veterans buried there. Mr..
Shaifer was the recipient, last week,
Of touching1y beautiful letter from
some Of the old Yankee soldiers" and