The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1904-05-07
The A. and M. College.

oent citizens Of Wilkinson county,
giving his views about the Agrlcul-
tural and Mechanical College, and
the work that great institution Is
doing for the young manhood OF the
State. As the letter is so full or
common ms and sound advice to
the boys of Mississippi, we print 1t
below in full. 1t follows:
"Centerville, April 10. s.
Mr.. Editor: 1t was my privilege
recently to interview Hon. VIM. A.
Dickson. upon his return from a meet
ing of the board of trustees OF the
Mississippi Agricultural and Mechan'
ical College. Our county was honore
by Gov. Vardaman in the selection OF
Mr.. Dickson for this important posi-
ton. Further, | would say this lnstl'
tuition is to be congratulated upon the
choice of one so eminently quallhed
for advancing it's every interest, ana
whose very heart is enlisted In us
welfare.
He reports the number of students
enrolled this academic year as seven
hundred and six, and nearly six nun
bred of these now in actual attend
ance. He expresses himself o
highly pleased with the institution IN
every respect. and heartily commehds
it to the favorable consideration OF the
youth of our county who may be de-
sirous of obtaining a tirst-class practl'
cal education.
Here, let me insert a bit of per-
sonal experience in my endeaVors to
persuade our Wilkinson county boys
to lay hold of every opportunity to Sc
cure a frst-class education and to per-
severe in the face of every obstacle.
Seven years ago | observed two boys
in the preparatory section Of the Ag-
ricultural and Mechanical College. one
of the boys was from my own county
a smart. quick boy, showing marked
ability to take are OF himself; fur.
Their, he was a representative of mi on
the best old families of the county. L
did what | could to urge him TO re-
main at school and take a complete
college course. My efforts were IN
vain; he honestly thought he must re.
turn home and help about the farm.
Let us call his name A. At the same
time in that class was another, a red
headed, freckle-faced, hard-visaged boy
from one of the poor counties OF the
state-let us call him B. Five years
from that time | saw B graduate with
fine class standing, and he bore him
self with becoming dignity and ease.
About a year ago B was getting $500
per annum managing a large place,
while A was doing an equally honora'
BILE. but not so well paid jOb-driving
an ox-wagOn. To the boys of Wilkinson
county | would say that B had only
$50 on his start to college, and he made
the balance OF the needed funds as
he pursued his college course.
From my personal knowledge the
most marked feature of President
Hardy's successful management of this
great college is arranging for the well
fare of every worthy boy who comes,
even if he is without any money what
ever. Every such boy is assigned to
certain work at fair wages and cheap
board provided so that he can save
money. In the meantime he is taught
an hour or so each night, and in due
time. having saved sufficient means, he
CdA 1lC ISSdAoAIg IN
course. Every worthy boy of this class
has special aid bestowed subsequently
in the assignment to future work, to
enable him to complete his college
course. The arrangement of this spe
cial course is highly to the credit OF
President Hardy's heart and head. The
further success of his management IL
seer in the splendid buildings erected
in the various improvements OF Older
buildings and in the broadening in the
course of study. These things have
been possible only by his impressine
the urgent need therefor upon our leg
lslature. Responding to his appeals
liberal app OPERATIONS have been made
so that at The last appraisement OF the
property Of the state in his hands l
was valued at 1892, 900 as agains'
$270.O 900 when he took charge some
four years ago. Beside this the legisla
ture just adjourned provided the sun
Of a quarter of a million dollars for 1T:
further improvement. Also, variou:
debts in the horticultural. dairy ant
farm departments have been Cancelled
each by it's own efforts, without aiC
from the college funds proper. 1t ha'
been the special effort of Presiden
Hardy to do away with the employ
ment of negro labor in every position
that could be filed by a white DO!
seeking to educate himself. and thus
he is able to help those who would
help themselves.
IF these lines shall avail in persuad
ing ever one boy to take advantage
of these u~nexcelled facilities for sc
curing an education, l will count my
self happy. }. {. ROBERT.