Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-02-01
MILLER RESIGNS ON DEMAND.
BlcaSc Gusts President of State Negro
GOllcge--Trustccs ConcuTrcd.
(The State, 29th.)

Governor Blease yesterday demand
ed the resignation Of Thos. E. Miller,
president Of the State negro college,
which is located at Orangeburg. He
asked Miller to resign within twenty
four hours. This action was taken
without a resolution on the part of
the board OF trustees, which was in
session at the time in the Office of
the CHIEF Executive. Following the
action by Governor Blease, the board
OF trustees passed n resolution ask
ing that Miller resign Immediately,
and the negro resigned.
Governor Blease, when asked on
what grounds he had asked the resig-
nation of Miller, said, "Perncious ac-
tivity in politics"
Just what the activities have been,
and along what lines, was not stated.
He further stated that complaints had
been made to him by negroes in the
State as to the conduct Of Miller at
the institution. He would make no
other statement.
The resignation of Miller will take
effect on June 30 OF the present year.
This date was named in order that
he might have time to wind up the
affairs of the institution before turn
ing the work over to his successor.
The board Of trustees will meet
Just after the adjournment Of the
present General Assembly, when the
successor to Miller will be chosen.
Miller has been president Of the in
stitution for several years and draws
a salary Of $4,000 year.
1t Is expected that q negro, n. f..
Nix, will be named by the board Of
trustees t6' succeed Miller.
AIiIlcr's Resignation.
Columbia, Jan. 30 Governor
Blease has received the following let
er from Thomas G. Miller, submitting
his resignation as president Of the
State colOred college:
Orangeburg, Jan. 27-1on. Cole l..
Blease, Governor Of South Carolina,
Columbia, S. c.: Dear Sir-Because
opposed your election to the chief
Office in the gift OF our beloved State,
YOU have demanded my resignation,
stating that you will not permit the
State colored college to do any bust
ness until my resignation is in your
hands. In answer to your request,
with your permission our honored
trustees have fixed the end OF the
fiscal year, (June 30th) as the day
for my resignation to be effective.
thank you very much, dear sir,
for this lenicncy, the more so because
| am guilty Of having begged the
voters not TO vote for you | counted
the cost before opposed you; hence
am prepared for the blow of your
official axe.
1t will be fifteen years, June 10th,
since ! was elected to my present po-
sition, having been endorsed by the
Republican ard Democratic organiZa-
tions, the judiciary, most OF the
members Of tie Constitutional Con-
vention, the state Legislature, state
officials. members OF Congress and
two United States Senators. In re-
sponse to their endorsement have
put fifteen years Of faithful service in
this work. | now thank them for the
great confidence they reposed in me.
My official acts have gone into his
tory; ! do not fear the Judgment OF
our people, white and black, upon
them. My opposition to you was not
an official act, and alone am respon-
sible to my country and to God for
having opposed your election to your
exalted position.
EIonored sir, I never slandered you
for there was no malice in my oppo-
sition to you. ] felt that your an
nounced policy against the negro was
not founded upon justice and the best
interest OF the state, and for that rea-
son tried to bring about your de-
feat.
Wishing for you an administration