The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-02-05

s. c, FEBRUARY 5, 1904.
CLEMSON COLLEGE.

The history Of this college is doubt
less known to many Of our readers,
that in 1889 the State OF South Caro-
lima under and by virtue Of an Act OF
the General Assembly accepted the
beuuest Of Thomas c.. Clemson. The
terms and conditions Of the will were
that the Fort Hill plantation in Oco-
nee county be devoted t. the cree
tion and maintaining Of an agricul-
tural and mechanical college. Before
the bequest was finally accepted
there was much discussion among
the politicians, for just about that
time the organization OF the Farm
er's Alliance" and the reform
Movement was rife over tho State,
and the name OF B. r. Tillman was
most conspicuous as the leader ard
Inauguration Of this movement, so the
pulse Of the dear people must be felt
before going into so new and gigantic
a scheme as an agricultural college.
The prevailing idea and argument
used was that it would afford grand
and heretofore unprecedented oppor-
tunity for the poor farmers sons to
be educated in scientific, theorctic
and practical farming and mechanl-
cal arts free or at a mere nom nal
cost. That upon the broad fertile
stly Of brJRalaaGHttse JRalaaGHttetfS9p q cafFag ce4Hag rRe Re
expenses of the institution and thus
make it in great measure, if not
wholly, self sustaining; this proved
to be impracticable, therefore the
college has been supported by hand
some annual appropriation b. the
State. We have written the above
as a mere preliminary leading up to
what the college now is, and has been
for several years past. The changes
that the college has undergone since
it's establishment as an agricultural
and mechanical institution have been
varied.
The introduction Of u military feat
ure was an innovation and departure
from its original design and contrary
to the terms and conditions Of the
will-higher education, classical ,
civil engineering, electrical engineer
ing, military tactics-thus making
almost and entire change in the curri-
culum, the agricultural and mechan-
ical art almost eliminated The work
of the farm is done by convicts and
hired labor. The committee from
the legislature that visited the col
lege few days ago make this finan-
tial statement. Total receipts and
disbursements to Dec. /, 1903: Re-
ceipts, $l33, ,S15.6S disbursements,
$111 ,222 16; leaving a balance on
bad, Doc. !, 1908, or S5,0l0.O2.
1t has been contended for some
years that the fertilizer or tag tax,
all Of which goes to this college, is
far in excess of the needs of this in
stitution; some years this tax is
more than in others. Statistics Of
the college show that not 10 per cent.
of the students pay even the forty
dollars, and less than 10 per cent. of
the students are graduated, expert,
scientific farmers, and do not pursue
farming as an occupation after leay-
ing the college. 1t was also shown
by the report of the committee that
a number of applicants for admission
to the college had to be turned away
for want Of room and other accom-
modations. In the face of this fact |
a bill is before the legislature provid-
ing for 12O scholarships valued at
500, when it is known that there is
now not sufficient accommodation in
the institution. In addition to free
tuition, the State would offer scholar
ships to be paid out OF the regular
appropriation. We glory in the
grand and noble work the State is
doing for her sons and daughters,
but do not lose sight Of the fact that
there are thousands who fill the pub
lie schools who must be content with
three or four months attendance out
Of twelve, at the expense Of handsome
and more than ample appropriations
for the support Of colleges Of higher