The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-09-06
The COLLEGE MOVEMENT.
Meeting at Opera House to Arous'
Enthusiasm--The Discussions.
Sumter's Chances.

EnfRuS1aSnR-4Hc O1SSuSSiO1tS'
Sumter's Chances.
Thursday evening at $3.50 o'clock
small but enthusiastic gathering of
citizens was present at the Opera
House to discuss and hear the argu-
ments IN favor of bringing to Sumter
the Presbyterian College that is al
present situated at Clintin. Presi-
dent Jno. NJ. knight, Of the Chamber
Of Commerce, called the meeting to
order. and then introduced Major
I Marion Noise as the first speaker Of
the evening.
In his usual eloquent and graceful
manner, Major Noise opened the dis
cussion. He stated that the trustees
of the college, had arrived at a de-
termination to change the location OF
the institution, and on behalf Of the
Chamber Of Commerce that he, with
other members comprising a commit
tee gotten together to feel the pulse
Of the community, had made a can
yass of the city to determine whether
or not the people cared to entertain
q proposition for having college IN
their midst. He was present to pre-
sent a. business proposition to the
people, and dwelt at length on the
wonderful benefits to be derived by
city from having within its borders
an institution that would turn out
trained citizenship. He stated that
the reason for the desire to change
the location of the college was that 3
great majority of the large colleges
and universities Of the State are
located in the western portion, and
that there was a need for a great IN
stituticn in the eastern section. That
the geographical situation and the
I railroad facilities OF Sumter made it
an ideal place for the location OF a
college. He impressed upon the peo-
pie, the fact that we could not expect
something for nothing; and, in his
opinion. it would require at least thirty
or thirty-fve thousand dollars to
secure. the college. He suggested as
means of raising the necessary
s-f,,nf3s for each citizen to give as his
share towards the enterprise sum
equal to twice the amount of taxes
returned to the, county. Major Noise
was particularly delighted with the
idea OF the social and Intellectual
BENEFITS to be derived from having the
scholarly faculty here to intermingle
with our people. United action was
urged, and the fact Impressed that :.
similar opportunity would, in the ma.
tura course OF events, not be pre-
sented again for generations yet to
cine.
Rev. Dr.. Byrd, a trustee of the col
lege, was next presented and re-
quested to give some Information in
regard to the removal of the college.
! The movement, he stated, was not the
idea Of few educational enthus-
lasts. but that it had the Presbyterian
Church behind it. The college would
10. :, certainty wherever located, and
that the race will be an open, fair
and clean one. Clinton, Bennettsyille.
spartanburg, Chester, Yorkville AMI
Sumter were all desirous Of having it.
IN determining the place for the loca-
ton two things would be considered;
first. the location; second, sufficient
amount Of funds with which to erect
suitable buildings to accommodate 125
students. The church would bear the
expense Of enlargeing the building
The board will meet on the 18th day
Of September to consider all PROPOSE
tions. and on the 2Sth Of the same
cQQCQGQs the QSSlS1O&6 W44& w S~~ANNN
At the last session Of the college there
were $50 students regularly matricu-
lated, of which number between 50
and SIS were Clinton boys. He spoke
Of the benefits to the city in financial
way, and stated that the Wofford Col
lege and Davidson College expended
annually $4,000 and $4,000 respec-
lively in the communities where they
were Heated. The college has an en-
downment of $500 and expects soon
to double that amount. He was graf
lied that Sumter was manifesting an
interest in the movement, and wished
her success.
Very interesting and able addresses
bearing on the lines advanced by the
two previous speakers were made by
Rev. Jacob Klein, DR.. C. c. Brown
Prof. S. H. Edmunds, Hon. r.