Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1902-06-04

M&1 HURCH and state have been inter
J04 l4&N ested in all ages in the educational
IsNNqt institutions of the day. Since the
n ~ discovery Of a system by which in
Gse ne formation could be made manifest
E-4N3 through the use of characters or
- letters the masses have been enth1-
- ~ siastic for the highest possible
methods of obtaining the advantages of education.
In former years the education of the man, without
much attention being given to the woman, was the
principal thought but since the rapid growth Of the
idea that women are not merely daughters Of
men, the Importance Of their higher knowledge Ol
letters as well as of affairs has inspired the growth
Of institutions fit and especially adapted to their
demands.
It remained, however, for Mississippi, a state
making perhaps the least pretensiOns Of any one
of the ssterhOOd to step forward with the leading
institution Of the day for the reception, and ed
ucatiOn of the young women Of the land. The In
dustral Institute and College, located in the hand
some little city OF Columbus, on the banks Of the
Tombigbee River, stands today the peer if not the
superior OF any educational institution for young
ladies, in this or any other country.
While the improvements for the accommodation
Of the pupils in this great institution still wholly
inequal to the demands made upon them, the seven
teen years Of successful work of the institution has
demonstrated that in good hands, the institution is
one which must inspire the heart of every Miss
issippian, and command the respect and most cor
dial support Of the legislature and the state gener
laly.
When the Industrial Institute and College was
established, the city Of Columbus presented the
state with buildings and grounds worth a greater
aggregate sum than the state has since expended in
the enlargement of the great college, yet the rapid
ty with which the institution is growing in popular
favor the efficiency of its broad educational courses,
and the constantly increasing demands made upon
1t by the best people Of the state without regard to
location, is sufficient to brush aside any prejudice
that may have existed in the past and assure the
managers of the great school that in future years
there will be no occasion for complaint at the
meagreness OF the appropriations for its maintain
ance. Pig hesded politicians, even who have i'm
agined in the past that they might score point
with the taxpayers by opposing liberal apprOpria-
tons for this and other institutions, will not dare
in future to resort to any such cheap work. The
people are for the institution because of the good
work it performs, and tOfurther stand in the way
its growth is the most suicidal piece Of political
iugglery to be imagined.
In this great school there have been enrolled the
past year in round numbers 500 young ladies. There
they are cared for and guarded as carefully, if not
more carefully, than in most Of their homes. The
course Of study offered them is so thorough so ably
adjusted and in the hands Of such competent in
structors as to warrant each and every one who
will give the requisite application to the work, an
education fitting them absolutely for any position
in educational life.
It was pleasure unquestionabe to be permitted
to personally inspect the Industrial Institute and
College, one day last week, in company with Mr.
H. L. Morrison, president Of the OkOlOna CONNER
cial Club, Hon. Frank B. Evans, editor Of the Me
ridian Press, and Hon. j. T. senter, editor Of the
Columbus Commercial. The party was escorted
through the institution by one Of the charming lady
members OF the faculty, Miss
and the various departments were made plair
through her careful descriptions.
The facilities provided for the living Of the at
tendants as we'll as the courses Of study are al
the most modern and advanced selection. The sys
tematic manner in which SO many are housed, fed
and cared for in health or in sickness is guarantee
te every parent whose daughter is entrusted to the
institaton. In addition to the faculty in the edu
cational departments, composed OF the best educa
tors that can be secured, most elegantly appointed
hospital stands near the main building, to which
pupils are taken and cared for when indisposed and
this, too, is in the most capable hands
Over the entire institution. Prof A. A. Kincan
non, as superintendent has demonstrated bis su