Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1906-09-12

uo NoWS ouu SOuIlcT udS TcCelNSu
the following correspondence, which
will explain itself: a
To the Editor of The News and
Courier: For the information of all
persons interested in Clemson College
and it's management please publish
the enclosed letter written by Major
Augustine T. Smythe, of Charleston.
Major Smythe is distinguished law
yer, practical bookkeeper and suc-
cessful "man of affairs" He was a
. member of the Senate and took part
in the debates when the Clemson be-
quest was accepted and the College
established. He is not now con-
nected with Clemson, but has served
the College as State trustee for six
years with fidelity and efficiency.
For the above reasons I think Major
{ Smythe's letter should appeal with
great force to alr fair-minded men.
J. E. Wannamaker.
st. Matthew's, September 8, 1906.
Hon. j. E. Wannamaker, st. Mat
thew's, S. C.-Dear Sir: have read
your letter of the Oath instant and
noted its contents. Yes, I have no.
ticed the discussion in reference to
Clemson College, and the editorials
of several of the leading papers of
the State, and l have been struck
with the lack of correct information
as to the true condition of the affairs
of the college as exhibited therein.
AS you know my connection with
the college has been intimate, though
rather peculiar. / was associated
with the late Col. James J.. Orr as
counsel for Mr.. Clemson's executor
in the litigation before the Supreme
Court of the United States, as to the
validity of Mrs. Olemson's will, under
the terms of which the Fort Hill
property passed to Mr.. Clemson.
The validity of the will was sustained
by the Supreme Court.
AS member of the State Senate /
opposed the acceptance of Mr.. Glenn
sons bequest, on the ground that it
was not wise policy for the State to
accept bequest which would require
the use of State money, when the
majority of the Board of Trustees
was appointed by Mr.. Clemson and
was a self perpetuating body. To
meet the objection so raised by others
as well as myself the Legislature pro-
vided that the vote of nine trustees
out of thirteen, being two more than
the eeven life trustees, should be nee
essary to elect any professor or in
structor or to appropriate any money.
When the Legislature decided to
accept the bequest | ceased any fac
tious opposition, and did what I could
to make the new college successful.
Six years ago, without knowledge
of any notice to me, the Legislature
elected me trustee of the college,
and served as such for six years. I
nam no longer a trustee, nor have ]
3any connection with the college. di-
riot or indirect. l have, however, an
intimate knowledge of the affairs of
the college, and am sorry that any
thing is being said or done to injure
an insti, ltion which is doing such
marked amount of good to the young
men of the State.
For instance, it is charged that the
life trustees practically run the COL
lege, and that because they are in
the majority they act together as a
close corporation. This is entirely
mistake. During the entire time of
my service as trustee never once
saw the line drawn between the life
trustees on the one side and State
trustees on the other. Our discus
sions were earnest and frequent, and
as in all deliberative bodies, there
were differences of opinion, sincerely
and honestly entertained. The votes
were sometimes close, but / never
saw the cleavage along the line of
State or life trustees, in fact never