Jefferson jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 1907-1926, 1911-09-08
Why Turned Down.

Last spring while making a
trip to the south, visited Ma
rion county and while in JefYer-
son noticed the old court house
was unoccupied and decaying.
Upon inquiry, it was stated by a
prominent business man and a
large property owner that the
said building could probably be
secured for an advanced school.
After leaving | was informed
that several leading men had
talked the matter over with indi-
vidual members Of the Court of
the county Commissioners and
their promises were secured that
they would favor the building
being thus used.
Later in the summer, upon re-
turning to Jefferson, / personally
interviewed some of the Commits
sioners and gave detailed state
ment of our plans. | found
them still in favor of the project.
Upon the 14th day of August
last, ] met by appointment with
the Court of Commissioners in
regular session and presented a
proposition in writing, which
has been published in your val
ued paper.
Upou seeing that one item in it
was objected to by a member
whom | had not previously in
terviewed, | stated to the Court
that the feature referred to, if
Objectionable to all members,
could be changed or even elimi
mated. | further stated that the
paper before them was the first
proposition made by either side
and that it was in good faith and
with the expectation of it lead
ing to definitely shaping an
agreement which would be per-
fectly satisfactory to all parties
The Court was repeatedly
asked to make counter prOpO
siton for our consideration. Up
to the present time No cOmmu-
nicatiOn in writing has been re-
ceived from the Court. Have
not even received in writing the
decision of the Court concern
ing the proposition made to them.
During my interview with the
Court, the subject of religion
was introduced by a member by
asking numerous questions as to
the belief Of my people and
especially as to our position con
corning Sunday work. The Court
was definitely informed that in
each of our institutions located
throughout the world, it was our
constant aim to so arrange our
work on Sunday as not TO dis
turb any in their devotions on
that day. And that we were firm
believers in religious liberty not
for ourselves alone, but for al
mankind, so long as the exercise
of that liberty does not interfere
with the rights of others.
We further stated that it was
NOT our desire to drive any
sharp or hard bargains with the
people Of Marion county; that
we believed in the Bible instruc.
tons, ITO deal JUSTLY" and tC
treat our fellow man as we would
have them to treat us. Or as eX
pressed in the words Of another,
Live and let live"
We believe that school in JEFF
fersOn such as we proposed tC
establish would bring many
families here for the purpose OF
educating their children, and for
other reasons. We assured the
Court that the school would be
opened to the white youth of
both sexs of this county as well
as those coming from other com
munities, regardless of their re
ligious convictions.
We briefly stated, however,
how our institution had helped
to build up other communities,
and how the people have shown
their appreciation of the same by
donating land, buildings and in
other material ways, and what
we had been able to do elsewhere
we hoped to see repeated in JEFF
ersOn.
However in conclusion, | wish
to say that as there seems to be
a lack of unity in the opinions of
the honored members of the
Court, and not wishing to locate
our school where we could not
receive a welcome hand and en-
Joy a hearty cooperation, | fee
it eXpedient to thus publicly
Withdraw our proposition made
| in writing to said Court, and
With malice toward none and
charity for all, let Marion coun-
ty retain the old court house,
that its ruins may continue t,
remind the passer-by of What
has been. For our part, We
will seek a location more con
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