The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-03-05
Clemson College VS.. Calhoun Univer'
sity.
Would the change be legal?
Would it be right?
ure1S - la hast Q

WOuHO lQo CuduSe Ue legal
Would it be right?
Would it be best?
A reading of the will of Mr..
| Thomas G. Clemson and the act of
acceptance clearly shows that the
State of South Carolina accepted a
| valuable consideration in lands and
money and in return agreed to GER
tain conditions. One of the condi-
tions was that the State would use
the property ''for the purpose of es-
tablishing and maintaining an agri-
cultural and mechanical college" up
on the terms and conditions Of said
will. Also the State of South Caro-
lima hereby expressly declares that it
accepts the device and bequest of
Thos. G. Clemson subject to the terms
and conditions set forth in his last
will.
What were these terms and condi-
tions? One was that the institu-
ton should be named The Clemson
Agricultural College of South Caro-
lima" Another was that seven of
the thirteen trustees should be life
and self perpetuating trustees. Anoth
er was that the State should remain
in possession of the property so long
! as it in good faith devotes said pro
perty to the purpose of the dona-
ton.
Section 10 of the Constitution of
the United States distinctly states
that ''No State shall-...--.pass any
Law impairing the obligation of
contracts" Therefore the Supreme
Court of the United States could de-
eide the validity of law changing
the name of the college and the COM
position of the board of trustees.
Already this tribunal has rendered a
verdict that Mr. Clemson's title to
the Fort Hill property was good.
So much for the legal phase; the
important question is our second
uuery-Would it be right to make
the change? A reading of the two
articles already referred to would
show how deeply Mr.. Clemson was
concerned in the agricultural welfare
of his adopted State, and to accom-
plish this purpose had become the
one great desire of his life. He made
provision for the building of such
college in case the State of South
Carolina declined to accept his gift.
But the State did accept and made it
plain that acceptance was based up
on terms and conditions set forth
in Mr.. Clemson's will. Hence 1t is
unthinkable that the State of South
Carolina could afford to do what no
honorable citizen would consider, or
would seek to honor her greatest
statesman at the expense OF her
solemn obligation to his friend and
son-in-law, Mr.. Clemson. Surely the
great Calhoun, fwho stood for honor
above all else, would not willingly
be a party to such breach of trust.
We come now to the last consid-
eration-would it be best to change
the name and status as proposed.
It is the verdict of all thinking
men, that Clemson College should
be let alone to work out its great
destiny of service to the agricultural
people of he State for whom it was
founded and by whom it is support
ed. Too often do politicians bring
the college into political arena, but
! the college has no need to go there
except in self-defense. 1t is idle to
continue threshing over question
that was settled by the legislature
twenty years ago. The college itself
in it's greatness and usefulness is the
best answer to its critics.
Why not let good enough alone.
It will be time enough to complain
when the workman is no longer
worthy of his hire"
The members of the Student Press
Association enjoyed delightful
oyster supper on Saturday night
last, and at which time the new
general secretary, Mr.. Rittenburg,
made a short, but impressive talk.
| Clemson College was we'll repre-
sented at the Students Voluntary
Convention held in Newberry last
week. R.-l4.