The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-12
PEABODY FUND INVESTIGATION
TWO WITNESSES BEFORE COM
MITTEE YESTERDAY.
DIR. johnson of Winthrop and Former
Gov. AnseI, Member of Board,
Talk OF Work.

cerning the work OF Dr. 5. G.. Mitchell.
president OF the University of South
Carolina, to secure an appropriation
for that institution. These witnesses
were Dr. ID. B. Johnson. who made
some additional statements following
his testimony of the day before. and
Martin +. Ansel, former governor and
member of the Peabody board Of trus-
tees. The supreme court room was
crowded. and testimony of both was
followed with close attention. Gov.
Ansel gave some interesting history
OF the proceedings of the board since
Its establishment in 1867, and DR..
johnson again stressed the fact that
he had no enmity toward other insti-
tutions, but that he was working
solely for Winthrop and thought that
the University OF South Carolina
should know that Winthrop stood very
close to the Peabody board. and that
as result OF the interference Of the
Southern universities much money
was kept out OF the State Of South
Carolina
When the committee was called to
order Senator Weston asked DR.. John
son few questions concerning the
life Of Geo. w. Peabody. 1t was
brought out that the fund could have
been distributed in 1897. that being
the expiration of the 80 years named
In the donation by Mr. Peabody.
Mr.. Weston-who Is responsible for
the university not securing the
$4,000?
DR.. Johnson--I am responsible for
Winthrop getting ss0.0OO-that is. to
a large extent.
The appropriations for the various
colleges and universities were takeA
up according to the records and pro-
coedings of the Peabody board. AS
previously published. the Universities
OF North Carolina. Georgia. Louisiana.
Arkansas. Virginia, Mississippi. Flor
ida and Kentucky received $4,000
each. under certain conditions, and
the Cnivcrs',irs * South Carolina.
Texas and Missouri and Johns Hon
AIMS uniyegs.ty received 5000 for
public school work This was on NE
recommendation II q committee on
five, OF which Gov. Ansel was a men,
Der.
Senator Weston read from the pro-
ceedings the motion made by Gov.
Ansel that the part Of the fund going
to the negroes be divided among the
several Southern States. under direc-
tion OF the State boards Of education.
AS was brought out later. this resolu-
tion was defeated. and the sum OF
sS5o.ooo was given to fund for
negro education.
DIR. Johnson. questioned by Mr..
Weston, repeated his statement that
had the Atlanta proposition been
adopted Winthrop would not have re-
ceived a dollar.
Mr.. Weston-would you say that
the university trustees were opposing
your efforts 10 secure money for Win
throp.
Dr. Johnson--It seems to me that
you are proceeding under a mistaken
idea. This hearing is the result of
letter written In 1911 by an alumnus
OF the university and my reply. had
nothing whatever TO do with the hear
ing. and yet you put me In the posi-
ton OF "a prosecuting witness. re
gret the whole matter. but l resent
being put in that attitude you are
trying Co put me in.
Mr.. Weston merely asked You
for information and wished TO know
II the cause OF the trouble might not
have been caused over the resolution
by Gov. Ansel.
Dr. Johnson-Those differences are
past. You can easily see regarding
the message OF Gov. Blease that we
did get our $4,000 and were not
cut out OF that IA IL would appear.
That was a mistake.
Senator weston-Did the action os
Dr. Mitchell interfere with the chances
for Winthrop securing more money?
Dr. Johnson believe the action
OF the Atlanta conference and the
rep,:' 4 .ac special committee 4
the Peabody board did seriously m
terfcrc with the securing OF between
5000 600 and $500. 900 by Winthrop.
Mr WestOn-Wc are invcstiga ing
Dr. Mitchcll's action in securing the
last 100000
Dr. Johnson-wc got the S9o.opo
They attempted To cut rs of without
cent but
Mr. Wcston-Thcn Dr. Mitchell all