The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1921-08-21

ca IOf al Ine otaCe University
1882, but this was not considered SUI
ficient opportunity for higher educi
ton of the women of the State. La
ter the untiring efforts of Mrs. Ami
c. Peyton, of Copiah county, and Mr..
John G. Hastings, of Claiborne
, through the pres and other sources
bore fruit IN creating more interes
and favor for the movement.
To these two women more thai
passing notice is due. This is especial
true of Mrs Peyton. Her long, ant
we'll sustained controversy, through
the columns of the Clarion Ledger
with Judge Chalmers of the Supreme
Court, then a Trustee of the Univer
sity Of Mississippi, gave her entire anC
prestige in the legislative Hobbies
Judge Chalmers favored coeducatior
at the University Of Mississippi, anC
Mrs. Peyton sought separate insti-
tuition for girls. She was able also
to further utilize opportunities thru
the help of that "Old Nestor of the
Pres" Col. j. L. Power. Credit is
also due the efforts of DIR. G. S. Roud-
erbush and others. 1t is understood,
however, that it was largely through
the efforts Of Mrs. Peyton that the
college was established, and tie first
appropriation made.
Goyeinor Stone gave it his atten-
tion in 1882.
The bill Incorporating the Indus
trial Institute and College, as this
institution was first called, was pass
ed by majority Of one vote in the
Senate. At the time General E. 7.
Sykes, of this city, was a member of
the State Senate, and Hon. ]. T. Har-
riscn, also if this city, member of
the House. These two patriotic citi-
zcns of Columbus, were not only in
strumental in helping engineer the
bill to successful passage, but were
also largely instrumental in securing
its location at Columbus. A brief
sketch of the history of this Bill,
taken from General Sykes records,
may be Of interest just here. On
January %, 1884, Mr.. McNeely intro
ducod House Bill No 400, being a
bill entitled; can Act to Establish
a State Industrial and Normal School
for White Females" This house
Bill, did not, as Senate Bill No. 311.
provide for the appointment Of Trus
tcs and an appropriation for build
ngs and current expenses for teach
,rs, etc, but instead made provision
Tor nine Commissioners to be appoint
ID one from each Congressional Dis
.rict, and two from the state at large,
o select a location, aad report their /
lction to the next session of the Leg +
stature. February 25th, Mr. Whit
icy, for Mr.. Martin, introduced S.
3. No. 81, entitled: "An Act to
create and Establish in the State
# Mississippi a College for the Edu-
atom of White Females, in Arts, and
On Marcha5th, the House
PASSED II. B. No. 400, and on March
ith, s. B. No. 81, and on the 18th,
message was received from Cover
.or Lowrey that he had approved the
after The next day, the Senate in
postponed II. B. APO In the
.cnate, the vote for S. b. No.31l, was
{ times a tie, and never had more
han a majority of one in its favor.
gainst the bin for the establishment
( the College, became afterwards its
arm friends and supporters. Some
,ere on the Board Of Trustees.
Some Of the opponents Of the Bill, |
D the Senate, tried to have it indefi-
itcly postponed, and some had tried
B prevent an appropriation, which
.ould have practically killed the Bill.
ming the progress of the Bill, it was ,
acided to substitute throuhout the ]
ord girls" for females"
At this time. Columbus made the Of +,
pr Of about 100000 in grounds and
ouds and secured for this place the /
.cation of the College. The build !
.gs and grounds donated were those
+ the Columbus Female Institute. ,
.tablished i'm 1S4S. Ii is Of interest I
note here that between the time of I
iss Rencau's unsuccessful efforts I
the SOS. and later successful ef- Z
.rt for the establishment Of the Col
&c in the SOS that a memorial was
idressed by the Trustees Of the Fe- d
.ale Institute to the Trustees of !
isissipi University. setting forth I
, the opinion Of the former Trustees. "
be- necessity for additional sdvan- v
.ges. for the higher education Of
iris. and Offering as a basis for the S
sginnfic Of the work the buildings =
ld grounds Of the Female Institute. Z
The College was opened with three {