The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-02-19
IT WILL r ASS.
Tho Clemson College Scholarships Bill
in the Senate.
n MEETS w1TH GREAT Favor
And Passes Its Second Reading with
out Very Mucn Opposition and
With But Few Slight
Amendments.

out Very Much Opposition and
With But a Few Slight
Amendments.
Col. d. o. Herbert's House bill to
create beneficiary scholarships In
Clemson College was taken up In the
Senate on Wednesday morning. The
bill produced debate TO some length
and earuestness. Senator Raysor had
an amendment passed substituting
for the 10 years OF age limit clause
leaving 1t to the usual discretion of
the authorities. He also submitted
an amendment making the examina-
tion average 60 instead of so per cent.
This was passed. The question of
debate was hinging on the clause
and preference shall be given those
young men vino desire to take the ag-
ricultural and mechanical course"
Senator Raysor wished to strike out
the words "and mechanical" main
taing his position by the statement
that Clemson was essentially an lnsti
tuition for the farmers, founded In
their behalf, and supported by the In
come tax. 1t was instigated at a
farmers convention in Columbia In
1885, It's name Is Clemson Agrlcultu-
raj college.
Senator Raysor said that when the
privilege tax was given Clemson the
promise was made that 1t would be
an agricultural college, but now while
the work Of general education is car
ried on we'll, not enough attention is
paid to the branch for which the
i OF
of the students took this course last
year. The trustees admitted that
| there would be no use for the bill II it
was not limited to agricultural stu
dents. The engineering, textile and
electrical departments are crowded
acw, Clemsnn's income Is between
100000 and $4,000 and of this
sum el02, 600 was paid by the privi-
lege tax-paid by the farmers. Thus
this class Of students should be given
preference in the scholarships. South
Carolina needs skilled agriculturalists
Senator ]. w. Ragsdale was an op-
ponent or this amendment. lie
wished to strike out the entire clause
quoted above, as it means a restrlc-
tion. 1t is bribe for boys to take
the agricultural course. The course
is now fine one and we'll equipped i,
yet 1t is not popular. II boy wants
to go into broader field than the
farm he should not be refused. AS to
the privilege tax support, in states
where there is no tax fertilizer costs
just as much. He wanted to see no
restrictions on the scholarships, OF
which he was heartily in favor.
| Sanatnr Moi yuoo IN, tho 49,, -
position on the bill as Senator
Raysor. He saw nothing bad In it
and he did see In the amendment the
expression Of the growing sentiment
in South Carolina for expert agricul-
turists. "Undeveloped agriculture
needs brains mixed with work." said
Sentor Mcleod. Technical knowledge
is necessary to success If the indi-
vidual wishes to rise above other far
mers In this work. Though only
about SO per cent. of Clemson's stu
dents are farmers sons, yet the farmer
supports the school and should reap
its first benefits. Senator Hardin,
like Senator Ragsda!e, wished IT,
strike out the clause as he Thought i,
a restriction.
| Senator Mayfleld said that in the
past Clemson, though founded for the
study Of agriculture, had not fulfilled
this end as in the other departments,
but that now the trustees recognized
this and 1T was to this end that the
bill was introduced. He did not know
Of a State that had no fertilizer tax. Iii
there was no tax fertilizers would be
lower but If there were no inspection
the farmers would be flooded with an
inferior staple. He wanted Senator
Raysor's amendment to prevail. Sen
ator Ragsdale had not long begun in
reply, when the debate was interrupt
ed by papers from the house. Later
1T was postponed until the evening
session.
At the evening session Senator Ray.
sor's motion to strike out land me-
chanical" In the Clemson beneficiary
scholarship bill, was renewed after q
motion to postpone consideration and
motion to table the amendment had
both been defeated. The amendment
was adopted. Senator Johnson wished
to amend the bill SO as to include tex.
tile students, but this was tabled,
Senator Hardin moved to strike out
the entire clause, his motion being
supported by Senators j. w. Rags
dale, Peurifoy and johnson, but bis
motion was tabled by vote of 20 to
8. The bill was sent to third read
ing.
Il
Doing = Great Work.