The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-09-06
A State Institution.
Anderson Mail.

a STATE 1nSClCuIlOu.
Anderson Mail.
The Daily Mail has suggested that
the Clemson bequest be bought by
the state in order that Clemson col
leee can be made a state institution.
The following taken from the edl-
torial columns Of today's Charleston
News and Courier is one more argu-
ment in favor Of the move We sug-
gest:
"The suggestion that the accept
ance Of the chairmanship Of the
Clemson college board Of trustees by
Mr.. Alan Johnstone affects the con-
stitutionaity Of his membership in
the South Carolina General assembly,
to which he was elected by the people
of Newberry, deserves little consider
alton. Mr.. Johnstone has said in. a
published card that he is not Glenn
son trustee "by gift of the people,
but occupies the position "under the
Clemson WILL" and that his office as
trustee is not Zone Of profit or trust
under the "State'' Of South Car
olina. The statement is absolutely
true. His view is unassailable. The
six trustees elected by the legislature
participate in the election Of the
chairman Of the whole board but the
seven trustees who hold under the
will are a majority and it is perfect
ly clear that in choosing chairman
they can control when they so desire.
While no reason is known upon which
to found suspicion that the slight
est difference as to the administra-
ton cf the college affairs exists be-
'ween the state and the trustees OF
the will. it is net surprising that the
chairman who succeeds Col. Simpson
is. as was the latter. a will trustee.
We may add that more satlstae-
cory selection than Mr.. .Johnstone
could not have been made from the
whole board as at presnet ccntltuted.
"The discussion. however, brings
Do;ntedlv to tie attention of tie Dec
pie of South Carolina the fact that
Clemson ccllere IS not state lnst.-
1$;ion. The chairman cf its govern
img beard is not an officer Of the
: ate Of South Carolina. The contro!
tie Institution is in the hands OF
seven gentlemen who hold Office as
representatives of a private deced-
ent's estate. South Carolina contri-
butes largely to support a college
which is essentially no more state
institution that is Wofford or Frs
kline.
"Already the people Of a newer
generation, when told that the late
Governor John Peter Richardson urg-
ed upon the legislature the rejection
of the "Clemson bequest,'' worth at
the time about 100000, and that the
state establish and maintain its own
agricultural and mechanical college,
marvel that the advice was not TAX
en-
The selection of Col. Alan john
stone Of Newberry for the chairman
of the board of trustees Of Clemson
college meets with the Daily Mails
approval. In our opinion Col. john
stone is one OF the ablest and strong
est members Of the board, even
though he be one Of the "will'
members. We have always admired
Col. Johnstone and are, therefore,
pleased that the members Of the board
recognized his ability and chose him
as their chairman. What we have
written from time to time about
Clemson college has not been aimed
at any one member Of the board.
What we desire is that the state own
and control absolutely the college. In
other words make Clemson college a
state institution.