USA > South Carolina > School history of South Carolina > Part 19
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2. In 1576. Chamberlain was again a candidate for gov- ernor. The conservative party rallied unler the leadership of Wade Hampton as their candidate. Wade Hampton had been a distinguished confederate soldier: he was of distin- quished revolutionary ancestry, and was himself a man of mild anl gentle manners, and of true nobility of character: one well calculated to enlist the enthusiasm of the people, of all who de inst a better state of things.
3. He had many friends amongst the colored people, many
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of whom voted for him. and it is claimed that their vote- gave him a majority and elected him governor. . The return- gave him a majority of 1.135. But the votes of Edgefield- and Laurens counties were thrown out, and the election was claimed for Chamberlain. Affairs seemed rather critical for awhile. Soldiers were placed in. the State House to prevent the members-elect of the conservative party from Edgefield and Laurens from taking their seats.
4. When this was done, all the conservative members with- drew from the hall of the house and organized in Carolina Hall. with W. H. Wallace as speaker. Many porsons assem- bled from all parts of the state at the capitol in Columbia to witness the inauguration of Hamptop. For a time it was feared that the great excitement might result hi a serious collision between the parties. But the great influence that General Hampton then bad happily prevented this.
5). This was the proudest and happiest day of Hampton's life; one to which he can look back with mest unalloye I pleasure; when his voles, his presence, swayed the immense. crord assetalled. stillod their force passions, and made than wait patiently the issue. It was a proud, a grand day. for Hampton: such as comes to few people in their lives, and to which few are equal as he was
6. This split in the legislature and unpleasant condition of affairs continued until after March 4. 1577. when Rutherford B. Hayes, who had been elected president. was inaugurated Soon after he went into office he ordered the soldiers to 1. withdrawn from the State House: Chamberlain retired. and the state was given up to the government of the conservative party.
7. Since that time there have been no serions political di- turbances, for disturbances of any kind; and the people, Ist withstanding the debt of six millions of dollars owed by the state, are generally prosperous tod happy. In 1875, Governor
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Hampton and all the state officers were re elected without any opposition, nothing having occurred in the two years to give dissatisfaction to anyone. In this year, 1575. Hampton county was formed and named in honor of the governor. In 1979. Hampton was elected to the Senate of the United States, and . W. D. Simpson, of Laurens county, who was lieutenant-gov- eraor, became, as the law provides, governor of the state. But in ISSO, Governor Simpson was made chief justice of the state, and Thomas B. Jeter. president of the State Senate. succeeded him.
S. In 1550, the election for president an.l vice-president of the United States was held, and the usaal excitement at- tended it. Johnson Hagood was chosen governor of the state. Some allegations of fraud were made; and as the federal and state elections were held at the same time and by the same managers, the federal supervisors had a number of these managers arrested under charges of fraud and illegal management. They were tried, but none were convicted.
9. Whether the census of ISSO was more accurate than that of ten years previous, cannot be said. but it shows a considerable increase of population if the former were correct. In ISSO, there were 804,332 colored, 391,105 whites, 131 Indians, 9 Chinese: total, 995.577. A gam. since 1870. of 259,971.
10. Before the year 1871. live stock of all kinds. horses, cattle. hours, sheep, goats, were allowed to run at large in the woods, or in the old fields, or anywhere, wherever the laud was lying open. In all unenclosed land the pasturage was in common, and all lands under cultivation were required to be kept well fenced, so that the roaming stock might not intrude upon the crops. Many lawsuits were the natural and sure result of the old system. Sometimes fences were defect- ite and stock would break through and do serious damage.
11. Sometimes, even, when the fences were good, some
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cattle, defying fences and all consequences, would break over, and the impatient farmer, seeing the damages done to his crop, would wreak vengeance upon the hog. or other mis- chievous animal, and a lawsuit would follow, costing more. costing sometimes far more, than the crop destroyed was worth, or than the value of the animal injured or Killed The law of 1971. requiring the owners of live stock of all kinds to keep them from running at large. put a stop to all this.
12. In 1952. Hugh S. Thompson was elected governor. He had for several terms boen state superintendent of educa. cation, a very important office. which be filled worthily and satisfactorily. During his administration the state continued prosperous, and several cotton factories were built, the legis. lature having enacted a law which gave great encouragement to the investing of money in that way. The law exempted from taxation for ten years all property used for, and all money invested in, manufacturing purposes.
13. It should be noticed here what a change had come over the people of the state since 1931 and 1932. Then the state nullified the protective tariff laws of the United States. Fifty years later the same state made laws equally partial and equally univst to a portion of its own people as any high tarif lots of the United States ever have been. The Jaw has since been repealel. In 1554, Governor Thompson and all the state officers were re-elected to the positions hell by them. But in July, 1586. Thompson resigard to accept the appointment of assistant secretary of the United States treasury, and Lieutenant Governor Sheppard became governor.
14. On August 31, 15%, in the early part of the night. there came the severest earth make over felt in South Caro lina. The centre of the shock or where it was felt with greatest tople, was at Charleston, and there it dil great damage, Movy fito buildings wore entirely ruined: and the
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old churches, St. Philip's and St. Michael's, which had rung their Christmas chimes for so many years, had their sweet bells jangled and put out of tune, and the churches were. broken wrecks.
15. Outside of the city of Charleston the damage was not great anywhere, though there was some damage. Shocks and slight tremors had been felt for, at least. two years. preceding the great shock. A number of persons were killed in Charles- ton, and property was destroyed to the amount of several millions of dollars. In ISSS, the county of Florence was. formed, making 35 coneties in the state. In 1586, Johu Peter Richardson was elected governor. and in ISSS he was re-elected governor. his last term expiring in 1590, when he- was succeeded by B. R. Tillman.
16. A farmers' convention met in Columbia April 29, 1986, composed of delegates from the following counties: Abbeville, 11: Aiken. 11: Anderson, 10; Berkeley, 1: Charleston, 4; Chester, S: Chesterfield. 1; Clarendon, 12: Colleton, 2: Dar- lington. 2; Edgefield. 13: Fairfield. 10: Greenville, 6; Hamp. ton 5; Kershaw. 11: Lancaster. 5: Laurens. 23; Marion, 12; Marlboro, 20: Newberry, 15; Oconee, 4; Orangeburg. 17: Pickens, 4: Richland. 14: Spartanburg. S: Sumter, 14; Union, 10: Williamsburg. 16: York, 6; total. 275; and way to a large extent composed of practical farmers. A few of the profos- sions were represented. and several members of the legisla- ture were present as delegates. The leader of the convention was B. R. Tillman.
17. Resolutions were adopted stating that in the year 1502 Congress bad appropriated certain land scrip, the proceeds of the sale of which should be a fund, the interest of which should be used to sustain an agricultural and mechanical college, for the education of the industrial classes in each state accepting the donation: that South Carolina had ac copted the fund, but had failed to carry out in good faith
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the conditions: that the agricultural interests were languish ing and in need of an institution to furnish practical and scientific training at less cost than could then be obtained.
15. The legislature was urged to establish a real agrient. tural and mechanical college like those of Mississippi and Michigan, and that the control of this college be given to the board of agriculture, and that experimental stations be established at such college, to be under the control of its faculty. and that Congress be asked to pass the Hatch Bill appropriating $15,000 annualy to each state for this purpose. and that the senators aud congressmen from this state be asked to secure its passage by all right means. A protest was also made against this money, if it should le appre . priated, being received by the present trustees of the South . Carolina College, as in the opinion of the convention the agricultural annex to the South Carolina College WiSA failure.
19. The convention also recommended that the board of agriculture, instead of being chosen by the legi lature. b elected by a farmers' convention, composed of delegates ircm each county agricultural society, to meet annually in Novom ber at Columbia for the purpose, and that this convention take into consideration all matters of legislation pertaining to agricultural interests, and to make such recommendations to the legislature about the same as they might deem proper.
20. To obtain funds to sustain the agricultural college. the convention recommended that the privilege tax on the sale of fertilizers be doubled. With this privilege tax and the land scrip fund it was thought that the college could be sup. ported. It was further recommended that more rigid inspec tion of fertilizers be made to secure the needed protection to the farmers against frand: that the Citadel Academy, as a military school, be abolished, and that so much of the money now appropriated to its use as shall be needed be given to
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the South Carolina College, so as to make it a first class college for the training of youth: that the state owes it to her danghters to provide an institution for their liberal and practical education, and that such a sebool be opened at the Citadel in place of the Military Institute, and that it be lib- erally supported by the state: that a constitutional convention be called at the earliest practicable day: that the lien law be repealed; that the judicial tenure of office be during good behavior: that taxation can be lessaned by abolishing all useless offices; that a large per cent. of property is not re- turned for taxation: that property returned is not assessed at its true value: that the law ought to be so amended as to correct the evils thus complained of, and bring a more full and complete return of personal property, and more correct valuation of all property.
21. On November 10, 1SS6. the farmers of the state held a second convention in Columbia, presided over by W. J. Talbert, in which 26 counties were represented. In the latter part of the year 1945. the farmers' association met anl urged the legislature to accept the Clemson bequest and establish the agricultural college. In the year ISSS. the state farmers' alliance> was organized, and in a remarkably short time flour. ishing sub-alliances were in existence all over the state.
QUESTIONS .- 1. Who was the last republican governor? What was the composition of the legislature elected at this time? What troubles occurred during the last year of Chamberlain's alministration ? What appeal did Chamberlain make to the president ?
2. Whom did the conservative party put forward to oppose Chamber- lain in the election of 18;6? What can you say of Hampton ?
3. What was the result of the election ?
4. When troops were placed in the State House, what did the conser- vative members do ? What is saul of the assembling of people from all parts of the state at Columbia ?
5. What is said of Hampton at this time ? 16
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6. How long did this split in the legislature continue ? What action did President Haves take in the affairs of the state ?
7. What is sahl of the condition of the state during Hampton's admin- istration? What is sait of the election of IS;> > What new county was formed in this year? What changes of governors cesurred during this administration ?
S. What can you say of the election of isSo? What troubles occurred?
9. How did the population of the state in ISSo compare with the pops- lation in 1870?
IO. Prior to is:1, what was the law in regard to the running at large of live stock ?
II. How did this give rise to lawsuits and troubles among neighbors ? What stock law was enacted in ISTI ?
12. Who was elected governor in ISS2? What, was done during his administration ? What law was passed in regard to manufacturing ?
13. What is said of the change that had come over the people since IS31 ?
14. Give an account of the Charleston earthquake.
15. What is said of the damage outside of Charleston ? Who was gov. ernor from 1886 to 1890 ?
16. How many delegates were present and what counties were repre- sented in the farmers' convention of April 29, 13562
17. What resolution was adopted in regard to the money appropriated by Congress for agricultural colleges ?
18. What was the legislature urged to do in regard to the establish- ment of an agricultural college ?
19. What recommendation was made in regard to the board of agri- culture ?
20. How were funds to be obtained to support the college? What recommendation was made che mung fertilizer? What in regard to the Citadel? What was said in regard to the lien low ? The judicial tenure of office ? The assessment of property for taxation ?
21. What is said of the second farmers' convention of 1585? What recommendation did the farmer, association make to the legislature in ISSS? Give an account of the alliance at this time.
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CHAPTER LI.
EDUCATION. AGRICULTURE.
1. From the educational statistics it appears that the inter- ests of education have never been neglectel, but have always received due attention in the state. "Far from being back- ward in education, the colony was especially alive to the necessity of mental development. Not only were schools founded and maintained in the province by the government and through private and charitable aid. but many youth were sent to England for their education. The influence of such men on their return was so great and lasting, that. oven in the middle of the present century, schools in Charleston. modelled on the English plan, were very popular."
2. Mr. Dawson. United States commissioner of education, says that "the birth of colleges was late and their growth slow." This may be so, vet it is true that at an early periol in the history of the state, colleges were charterel at several different places in the state One was at Ninety-Six, one was at Mount Zion. in Fairfield county. There were also others. These institutions, it may be, never took the stand and position of college, proper, but the school at Mount Zion, at one time towards the middle of the present century. became very celebrated. aud acquired a high reputation under the mastership of Mr. James W. Hudson.
3. This school ander Mr. NIElson was probably scarcely inferior to that at Willington, in the first quarter of the cen- tary under the great educator. Moses Waddell, or that at Mount Bethel. in Newberry county. under Mr. Hammond and his predecessors The school at Willington, though not a denominational school, in the sectarian sense, was founded aml taught by De Moss Waldell a celebrated Produtodian divine. That at Mount Bethel. in Newberry County. was under the patronage of the Methodist Conference, and $200 of the
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rector's salary were paid by annual appropriations from that body. Bishop Asbury was mainly instrumental in bringing it into existence.
4. Both these schools began about the same time, 1502 to 1SO4, and both had near the same period of life: Willington living, possibly, a few years the longer. At Mount Bethel there was an incorporated literary society known as "The United Fraternity," which had a valuable library of several hundred volumes. The books were all good, and although there have been so many books since that time printed and published, yet those are still good. for they are standard works.
5. All over the state in all sections there have been good schools from the very beginning. The state. also, through legislative appropriations has always extended a helping hand to the cause of education. As far back as the years 1710-12, acts were passed providing for a free school at Charleston. which plan of education was not confined to Charleston, but was intended to extend over the whole colony. From this time on, efforts were made to establish a general free school system, and yearly appropriations of money were made for that purpose.
6. Statistics show that previous to the year 1821. $302.490 had been expended by the state for education. of which, at least $100,000 had never been accounted for by the commis- sioners. But with all its blundering and alleged inefficiency the free school system continued until the War of Secession It will be noticed that this was a free school system and not a public, common school system like the present. In the free schools only orphans, and the children of parents who were not able to educate them, were taught.
7. In 1580 there were 51,000 children of school age: 8,572 in the free schools. In 1540, there were 52,000 of school age: 12,526 in the free schools. In 1850, there were 56,000
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EDUCATION.
of school age; 17. B> in the free schools. In ISGO. there were 60,000 children of school age; 15.015 in the free schools. This statement shows a very decided increase in the number of children in the free schools, as compared with the number of school age. Whether there was a greater willingness to avail themselves of the advantages offered. or whether there was an increase in the number of those unable to educate their children. does not appear.
S. In ISSO there were 101.000 children of school age. and 61,219 of these were in the public schools. The colored chil- dren are not included in this number. They outnumber the whites. The expenditure for free schools in 1$60 amounted to $127,580.41: in 1550, to very nearly, if not quite, $400,000 -expense for colored schools included. A little less than two dollars per scholar.
9. The old system was considered a failure by many; the present may not be a failure, but it falls far short of giving children as much training as they ought to receive, even in the common schools. But in every county, in all parts of the state. many schools are kept open for eight or nine months of the year.
10. It was largely due to the financial ability of Paul Hamilton, who was for three years chairman of the committee- of public accounts. and then for four years comptroller of the treasury, that the state was enabled to endlow a state college. While comptroller, after a thorough examination of the resources, debts. anl credits of the state, he made his first report in 1500. and a further one annually for the four fol- lowing years. These reports astonished the legislature. They then knew for the first time the actual fiscal condition of the state, and were surprised to find it much better than they had supposed.
11. From the last report of 1591. the balance dno the state was found to be $756,755. This richness of the treasury
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encouraged the legislature to subscribe $300.00) in stock to the State Bank, and to establish and endow the South Car- linn College of the central seat of government. The clear gains of the former, which accrued to the state from the excess of bank dividen Is over interest on six per cent. stock, were sufficient to defray the expenses of the latter. The state may be said to have acquired for its citizens the advantages of both institutions for nothing, as they were carried into effect without imposing upon then any additional burdens.
12. We thus learn that through the great financial skill of Panl Hamilton, the state was made able to establish the college. But to Governor Drayton belongs the honor of beginning the movement for its establishment. In his message of 1801, he recommendel the measure, and an act was passed in accord- ance with his recommendation and ratified by him December . 19. 1901. One great object which the friends and projectors of the college had in view, was to unify the people of the state: and it is gratifying to know that much was dose towards that result, as students came in from all parts of the state, and they still come from all parts, nearly all the counties being represented.
13. At the celebration of the semi-centennial of the college in 1854, one of its most distinguished graduates, James L. Pettigru, said: "As to the past there is much ground for gratulation in the effect which this college has had in har monizing and uniting the state. In 1804 sectional jealousie- were sharpened to bitterness, and there was as little unity of feeling between the upper and lower country as between any rival states of the Union."
14. The reason is not obsonre. The lower country, extend ing not more than thirty or forty miles inland, was, for many years, the only populated country, and was, of course, the seat of the wealth and influence. The other pure of the province was known as the Back Country. It was not until 1745 or
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1750, or perhaps a little later, after the great Cherokee war of 1760-61, that settlers came pouring into the middle and upper portions of the country.
15. They found a regularly organized government already established on the coast, three fourths of a century old, in the formation of which they had no part, and from any part in the administration of which they were for some years still practically excluded. And even after they were permitted to participate, the representation of the two sections was not equal, the balance of power still being in the low country. and jealousy and dislike continued.
16. In the year 1565 the college was reorganized and changed to an university by act of the legislature. In 1573. colored students were admitted to the university, but after- wards Claflin University was made the state school for colored students of both sexes. At the session of the legislature in 1800, the University of South Carolina was divided into branches, the one located in Columbia styled the South Caro- lina College: another in Orangeburg styled the Cladin Uni- versity; another the South Carolina Military Academy; and, in 1991. the South Carolina Industrial and Winthrop Normal College was established and made a branch of the university.
17. There was a widely prevalent feeling in the state that there was need of a more practical education than could be obtained at the South Carolina College, and to satisfy this feeling the Military Academy and the Citadel were established. For a number of years before the Academy had any existence the state had two military establishments. one in Columbia. called the Arsenal. and one in Charleston, called the Citadel. From these establishments grew the schools, for there were at first two, independent of each other.
1S. These schools were established by a bill introduced in the legislature by Gen. D. F. Jamison, and passed December 20, 1542. In 1545, a futile effort was made to unite the two
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schools, but the Arsenal was made auxiliary to the Citadel, and the first class instructed there. The course of instruction covered four years and the discipline was strict.
10. The cadets were sent to the front in December. 1964, but the schools were not formally closed until December. 1995. The Arsenal in Columbia was demolished and the grounds sold under the sinking fund commission. The United States troops took possession of the Citadel. and hell it until 1592. when it was reopened by the state. In 1590. it was made a branch of the South Carolina University. Two young men from each county in the state are maintained free of charge. with the understanding that they are to teach in the public schools of the state for at least two years after their gradua- tion.
20. The Winthrop Training School. a school designed pri- marily for the training of teachers for the public schools of the state. was opened in Columbia November 15, 1556, mainly through the efforts of Prof. D. B. Johnson, of the Columbia graded schools. In 1997, thirty-four scholarships were estab- lished by the legislature, one for each county. yielding $150 each. These scholarships are restricted to those who have not the necessary means to acquire au education unaided, and are assigned by competitive examination, held under the supervision of the superintendent of education. These scholar- ships are held for one year, and on completion of the course the holder is required to teach at least one year in the common schools of the county from which she came.
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