The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-09-12
HARRISON College
STATEMENT OF CONDI'
TIONS WHICH LED
TO RESIGNATION
OF PRESIDENT
ArlOS.

Various reports having been circulated II
this community in reference to Thomas
Amos, pres ident OF the Harbison College. ant
newspapers having published communities
tions Fl om this place in reference thereto, th
| editor of the Iress and Banner, on his owl
responsibility, in his individual capacity
without involving any body else, thor Oh
that the President OF the College might Civ
some interesting Information.
For this reason We sent for him. stating tha
lin view Of the circumstances we would lik
TO ask him questions. which under other cir
Gu instances might be deemed out OF place.
Believing that his statements ould mex
interesting reading, we jotttd them down
and we publish them as given TO uf. in hi
own words. We know little OF him or th
school over which he presides, except as here
in given.
In the interview bis tone, manner snt
speech were CLOSELY watched.
They convince us that he is q harmless
negro. And, with due and proper respect fol
any who msy differ In opinion, we would bt
unjust TO truth II We did not say that we be.
leve that he does not deserve the ill-win o.
this people.
|
hi m, has, we have believed nom the first, nc
better ,origin thar exists in the Jealousy o.
less prosperous people Of his own race, who
have for q purpose, labored to poison the
minds of the white people against him.
While We would not attempt 70 fix the blame
for the present feeling that may exist, yet we
would be q moral coward II we did not pro-
test against seeing q wrong perpetrated
against the humblest creature that walks the
earth.
We would be untrue TO our convictions, II
we did not protest against an act which may
reflect on both the good name and the best IN.
terests Of this community.
The State OF South Carolina has law on It's
statute books. making 1t q crime for emil
grafton agents TO induce laborlpg people to
leave the State. Then, why should we, as
law-abiding men, seek 10 run of-not LOAF
ers-but actiye workers among the negroes? !?
The great mass OF negroes, we believe, sym
pathise with Amos.
Every negro who brings a bale OF cotton to
the city adds that much TO the business, or
com NJ ercial, interests Of the town.
Every negro that plows cotton nelds 10
worth something to the progress Of the coun-
try.
Every negro who cooks for us, washes our
clothes, cuts our wood. digs our wells. or
builds our houses. contributes something TO
the best interests Of the people and serves q
useful purpose for the country.
The wealth OF the country is chiefly in the
soil, in the water power, and in the Drawn
and muscle OF the men who live here.
Even supporting man to be no better than
q mule, bis presence has commercial value.
Ws have no sort OF interest in this matter.
except the wish that no wrong may be done
to this community We do not wish to see
other negroes leave here because OF fear Of
ill-treatment.
Ifany other negro has brought to Abbeville
one-tenth of the money that Amos has
brought we would like TO know who ills.
To categorical questions Amos has given
unequlvocal and definite answers. II be has
spoken falsely his sccusers ought to be able
to prove It, or else dismiss the charges against
him.
But read what he says. and be your own
Judge Of him:
What Is the cause OF the opposition to you?
really don't know. I have been here four
teen years, and, as far as I could. have en-
deavored 70 treat everybody respectfully and
disagreement with any white person.
What about enemies?
The circumstances under which I came
here caused me to have some enemies among
my own people.
10 what circumstances do you refer?
| came bere as successor Of Mr.. Williams in
the Ferguson Academy, which name has
been changed to HARRISON College. but not as
nfo N n m N IN
What Of the work?
During my stay here, the property, at q
conservative estimate, ID worth $4,000. This
money has been received from philanthro-
pists, whose desire was to do something to
Improve the morals OF the negroes, and TO 1T
them for usefulness. The literary course has
been simply elementary, and the graduates
of the institution have taken positions as
ministers. teachers. farmers, mechanics and
dom estlcs; and, as far as know, they have
done well and have given acceptable service
in their different lines Of pursuit.
| Who are your assistants?
When came here. found Northern as
sistants I Immediately put in their places
men and women Of the city OF Abbeville, and
aiterward, in Increasing The faculty. gave
North Carolina and Georgia, all OF my own
race.
How many scholars have you In the COL
leSss e.: ;, o.. on s,,snd.nos ~ t,ree nunored
students, boys and girls who como from va
rious parts OF the South, the town scholars
being In the minority, because 1t was the dis
position Of our school not TO interfere with
the public school.
| Do You have boarders?
| Over two hundred Of our students we're
boarders at the college. At least fifty others
boarded IN private homes In the neighbor-
hood.
How Is boarding department maintainede
| The boarding department Is maintained at
total expense Of about $1,000 year: The
| lprn IN nof nfatn N
1t have been bought In Abbeville.
| How is this money raisede
By the studenta themselves. Very little CT
this expense is paid by persons at distance
The salaries Of the president and the teach:
principally in New Jersey.
| What are the salaries?
The salaries Of the president and teachers
combined does not exceed S, ,0O0 year.
Why Is the Institution called Harbison
College9
The school was originally called Ferguson
Academy. Some years afterward when q
new name was 70 be oh hosen, 1t was thought
proper to name 1t HARRISON College, iuasmuch
as the late Samuel P. HARRISON had given TO
1t new site Of twenty acres, and was inter.
ested In laying the foundations Of what
would in one day be an agricultural college
for colored youths. His death few years
these plans, which be carried 80 far as to buy
a farm, and partially equip It. And young
man, graduate OF the school, was being pre-
pared in an agricultural college to come TO
lake charge of this special industry. Funds
are now being solicited to maintain this de-
partment Of the college.
Ia the college endowedP
i The college has no endowment. Mr.. Harbi-
son at bis death left 1t nothing, but for many
years be was very friendly to the South. For
the last few years Of his life he spent large
part OF each year In the South. and was
familiar with the conditions. He was friend
ly to all. and desired TO help the work Of edu-
times to examine into the work which am
doing. He expressed himself as much pleas
| ad xuith my unrk and anfartainad iha hnna