The herald and news. (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, April 20, 1909, Image 1
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VOL XLVI NO, 32 NEWBRY S. 0., TTUESDAY. APRIL 20. 1909.TWC WEKSi5AYR
CAPTAIN MINUS
OF TROUBLI
Retiring Commandant Alleg4
at Present Organized, anc
Good Results for Stud
Interference by Dr. M<
ure of Board to M
Charges-The Exi
r Army Officei
To the Editor of The State:
In beginning my detail as military
instructor at Clemson college, I ar
rived August 30, 1907, about two
weeks before the opening of the reg
ular session. During this time and the
few weeks following the opening, I
became acquainted, in the natural
course of vnis, with all the faculty.
There was a willingness upon their
part to t-ll me of the disciplinary
situation the past year. The various
escapades and violations that are
matters of public knowledge were re
hearsed to me time and time again.
One general suggestion in all these
recitals wai to the effect that I would
probably succeed with discipline if
Dr. Mell, the president, did not inter
fere. On one occasion Prof. Riggs,
who is thought to be very near to the
president, stated to me, in effect, that
he had told the president that the
success of his administration would
be largely based upon his no-inter
ference in disciplinary matters.
In taking up my, duties as -com
mandant, I discovered a deplorable
state of affairs. No organization, no
system, not the slightest regard on
the part of the cadets for law or or
der, very little,jespect or considera
tion for the faculty; simply a great
mob 'of youths allowed' to run wild.
However, I began to apply the regu
lations and the penalties for their
infraction as strenuously as the situ
ation would allow. The next few
months was a time of turbulence. It
is my belief that the cadets soon
found that they could not get by me
upon certain of their demands for
privileges, fdr usually most of them
came to me through the president,and
lways were put to -me in a way that
left .no doubt in my mind of the pres
Sident 's desire to coneede almost any
thing the cadets requested or de
manded. I believe the record will
show that in most cases I withstood
Sthe lunmeritorious and harmful ap
peals of this combination, and think
reslts will show the* wisdom of the
stand. Still, during the first year,
there were continual conflicts be
tween us, due to the fact that the
president in an irregular, And in
some cases, an unauthorized way,
Land also, in my opinion, often with
out sufficient grounds, yielded~ to the
request of individuals.
The April, 1908, affair eame Aong
and its consequences are well known
to the public. Tbe realization came
ito me after the dismissal of the 305
cadets, that if from now on real con
strutive work wps not cearried for
ward, and if a sense "of duty was not
taught to the eadets,. that the blame
for this failure would be on the au
thorities. In bringing about the above
I felt that the first and foremost ne
essity in a student body. is a system
of honor, adhered to in a manly and
straightforward way, and that the
next step is a clear and unyielding
Senforcement of the regulations, justly,
decisively an'd fairlg, The honor sys
tem the student body itself is re
sponsible for and must carry out.
This system was adopted a few days
after the April reduction of the corps.
The implanting of a sense of duty
Sin a body of students is largely due
to the attitude of the authorities,
their individuality. their honesty and
fixedness o'f purpose in carrying out
their duties. I knew that in so far
as cooperation and aid by the fac
lt were concerned, I could look for
ittle help, because in the mainte
nane of discipline the members of
the faculty of Clemson college are
imny indifferent, and that the con
entiol and ideas of the president do
ot ordinarily take logical form.
nseq~ently, the rehabilitation ap
eled to me as a work that would
me to be undertatkenl siugle-handed.
Expecting no aid from the presi
ut nither in a forcible nor a per
SPEAKS
.S AT CLEMSON
!s Weakness of Institution as
I Impossibility of Securing
:Mts or State-Persistent
41, and Continued Fail
.et Issues Are Two
>erience of Three
s the Same.
suasive way, I fought against the ad
imission of his harmful and ruinous
interferences in the structure that I
was trying to build. An examination
of the records of the commandant's
office and a knowledge of my atti
tude towards affairs would convince
anyone of the logic of my conclusion
in regard to methods necessary to
carry out the undertaking.
At the beginning of this session
questions arose. Appeals were made
to Dr. Mell. In some cases he disre
garded me as a component part of
discipline; in others, clear infractions
of the regulations he claimed were
personal between him and a cadet,
and in others the ground for his ac
tion was not 'apparent to me nor, do
I I believe to him.
Following the legalizing of a ca
det's desertion by restoring him to
his full student functions without a
word with me in regard to the oase,and
when approached by me an assump
tion of a discourteous attitude in the
matter, I called the chairman of the
board of trustees' attention to the
president's continual and unauthor
ized interference in the discipline of
the institution, and offered to give
the board an opportunity to investi
gate. A committee from the board
unauthorized, as I understood it, met
for a consultation with the president
and me, and went over the various
items that I presented. There- was no
expression of opinion as to whether
or not the committee agreed or dis
agreed with my contention, for the
committee was without power, but
the names of the gentlemen are as
follows, and I would, suggest that
they would enlighten the public .as
to what they feel about this matter;
I would like to see what they would
say: Col. Alan Johnstone, Col. M. L.
Doaldson, Mr. C. D. Mann, Col. R.
W. Simpson.
My claim is that -as I was a comn
-ponent part of discipline and com
mandant, the president had no right
to restore a cadet without fir.st giv
ing me an opportunity to investigate
the offense, and if he desired to over
ride me, to do it in a way authorized
by the regulations, and not to ruth
lessly invade my jurisdiction and put
my authority at defiance. At any rate,
the matter was left standing until
the December meeting of the b#ard.
At that time a committee of the
board, consisting of Col. Alan John
stone, Senator Tillman and Mr.
Mauldin had a conferenee with Dr.
Mell and me. The issues were not
looked into, but simply glossed over,
and the matter again left sta'nding,
with the president's promise to stay
out of the military jurisdiction, and
my announcement that unless he did
I would give up my position as com
mandant.
At the time I expressed extreme
doubt as to the president 's compli
ance with his part of the agreement,
Tue to my expeetations5, in January
of this year, he again began his in
terference with the military depart
mert. I submitted my resignation
and wrote in connection therewith a
letter in which I set forth the fol
lwing: "The reasons for my resig
ation are on account of the presi
dent 's interference with matters of
disiplne, setting aside the authority
of the commandant, and ruthlessly
violating the proper and well-estab
lished methods of maintaining dis
cipline in a military system. His
promise of co-operation and non-in
terference in the military department
has not been kept. I simply state my
~elf-repect will not permit me to
serve under him.''
The -ehairman of the board c* trus
tees, upon receipt of this letter, wrote
me. as3kinlg that I remain at the col
lee until the meeting of the board.
In accordance with that letter I re
-mand beieaving that the board at
TILMAN FAT AND WELL
Has Returned to Washington.-Does
Not Expect Democrats to Get
Anything.
Columbia Record.
Senator and Mrs. B. R. Tillman
were here to-day on their way to
Washington to which point the
senator is headed so as to be on
hand for the tariff debate in the sen
ate. The senator is apparently in
splendid health.
I am getting so fat that positively
I am getting sad about it. Gained six
or seven pounds recently eating hog
and hominy down at Trenton. Weigh
ing 200 pounds now, more than I
have ever weighed. But, by golly, I
wznt so:ne roas'n ears to eat, and I've
got to leave before they come in.'
He Wouldn't Erupt.
Asked if he could not say some
thing rash on which a 'hardup news
paper fellow might build a good live
storv. the senator smilingly nodded
in the negative.
"Haven't got an idea on State or
national polities," he declared, giv
ing away indolently to the balminess
of the spring morning.
"Well. couldn't you tell us some
thing about how much hell you are
going to raise about the tariff?"
All Cut and Dried.
"Oh, what's the use of biting at
the grindstone? Whenever those Re
publican ringsters get ready to pass
the tariff they will simply crack the
whip and the majority will trot up
and vote as the ring directs. If they
will consent to give us the right sort
of showing on German potash salts
we will try to get it, but it is all. in
their hands.'
Senator and Mrs. Tillman will stop
over in Rock Hill this evening for a
visit to Winthrop college.
its meeting in March would g to the
bottom of things.
Personally, I had no desire to con
tinue the work as commandant, on
account of the extreme arduousness
Of the duties, but I felt that if the
board would honestly look into the
condition of affairs at this institution
good would be bound to result if ac
tion was t-oken in accordance with the
facts as found. When the subject
came up in the board, according to
mny information, a resolution was of
fered to accept my resignation. An
amendment was offered thereto call
ing me before th'e board to set forth
the underlying eauses of my resigna
tion. Strange to say, the amendment
could not be adopted. I am at a loss
to know why the board of trustees
should object to an .honest investiga
tion of such a vital matt,er as the dis
ipline of Clemson. Understand that
'do not e.omplain of the acceptance
of my resignation. I commend t'he
board upon its direct and positive
war of handling my case.
Nevertheless, what was the board 's
clear. duty with my letter before it,
and also information from some of
its own members as to the real condi
tion of affairs? What has been the
experience of the two former com
mandants under Dr. Mell? Here is
C'apt. Si'rmeyer 's comment, taken
from a letter to me: "The chances
ai commandant would have to put upfr
a fine showing in the matter of 'a
cadet regiment are too numerous to
menti'on, if the military department
could only get .the support of the
powers that be. But in my opinion
niline een be done until there is a
new president. Personally I was very
fond of Dr. Mell, but he- is weak and
(I thought) was too willing to sacri
tiee any one so that he could be popul
lr with the boys. and as far as I
--M e hia efforts had exactly the
opposite results."
Capt. Clay 's report is not as hard.
but T'hive read it and lie complains
.lone the same line. I am convinced
of the magnificent opportunity for
great work at Clemson and realizing
that I owe much to the State which I
have called my own since I was six
years of age and in which I have
spent a great many years. I make the
foreging statement based upon my
exnerienece anid observation at Cl'em
son and with a view that the informa
tion may prove of some value to tire
people in their attitude towards the
college.
J. C. Minus,
I Capt. 1U. S. Army, R'etired.
April17,.1990.
FATHER AND SONS IN LIMBO.
Young Men Charged with Same
Crime for which Sire is Serving
Sentence.
Lexington, April 16.-Tillman Proe
tor. Sr., is in jail at. Saluda with a
sentence of two years in the State
Penitentiary hanging over his head,
having been. convicted of the charge
of obtaining money under false pre
tences from an Augusta eommission
firm, while his two sons, E. W. Proc
tor and Tillman Proctor, Jr., are lan
guishing behind the bars of the Lex
iugton jail charged with obtaining
money under false pretences from a
Batesburg bank.
E. W. Proctor was arrested in one
of the cotton mills at Newberry on
,last Saturday by Deputy Sheriff Mil-:
ler, who arrested Tillman Proctor,
Jr.. at his home near Saluda on Wed
nesday, and lodged him in jail here
last night. E. W. Proctor is 38 years
old, and has a wife and four chil
dren living at Newberry. Tillman
Proctor, Jr., is about thirty years
old, and has a wife and one child.
Deputy Sheriff Miller arrested also
C. R. Adams, a- white man, 58 years
of age, near Denny's, in Saluda Coun
ty. on Monday, upon the charge of
obtaining money under false pre
tences from the same bank at Bates
burg. The amount involved is $160,
and the crime is alleged t6 have been
committed on the 25th of January,
1907. Adams says that he intends
paying up the amount within the next
few days.
It will be recalled that two young
white men from Saluda County were
convicted at the last term of Court in
this county of the eharge of obtaining
money under false pretences, and
both are now serving sentences on the
county chain gang.
FARMERS' UNION OFFICERS
MEET IN COLUMBIA ON 29th.
President Harris, of -the State Far
mers' union, today issued the follow
ing call for a mass meeting of the
county union officers and toher mem
bers of the union, to be- held in Co
lumbia on the evening of the 29th.
"All the county presidents are es
pecially requested to meet with the
State executive committee on Thurs
day, April 29, at 8 p. in., in the city
of Columbia, for the purpose of con
suiting together in reference to the
handling of the cotton crop of 1909,
and such other matters as may he
useful for the upbuilding of the union
in securing a more complete organi
zation in all the counties of the State.
"As many of the county secreta
ries and county business agents as
can conveniently do so are requested
to attend also, together with as many
members of the union as can come.I
"A mass meeting is desired for
discussion and consultation.
"B. Harris,
"Pres. S. C. State Farmers' Union.
"J. Whitner Reid, Sec.-Treas."
A BOY'S INFLUENCE.
"I wonder why Sam Darrow is so
popular?" said a visitor at the house
of a friend of the Darrows.
"I know," piped a little voice,
"it's because Sam loves every body."
"How do you know Sam 'loves
everybody?"
"Cause he does. Now, there 's Jim
Blake; his fat.ber drinks, and some
times Jim don 't bring any lunch to
school. Then Sam divides his lunch
with Jim, always. And when the boys
made fun of Jim Short because his
elbows were out, Sam gave 'em a look
that they won 't forget in a hurry.''
"A look! What would boys care for
a look?''
"W~\ell, sir, if you'd seen Sam's
1Lok, you'd understand. It was just
as if he'd said: 'Now, ain't you
'.shamed of yourselves-making fun
of a poor little fellow w-ho wears the
best -he's got?"
"Doesn't that look of Sam's make
the boys angry?"
"No, sir; it makes 'em ashamed,'
and they like Sam all the better for
it.''
"What else does Sam do?"
"..Oh, I -couldn't begin to tell you
all ihe does, but he's forever do in'
something for somebody. That day .
Dick Mills got hurt, Sam carried him
al the way home in .his arms, an'
Residence of W. H. Sloan, on S.
of Little P
Dick just loves Sam. When Burt
Brown broke his leg Sam went to see
himn every day; and when Billy Ches
ter was sick you'd ought to have seen
the nice things Sam took him."
Selected.
News From St. Philips.
The grain, crops in this section are
looking very sorry. Some of our
farmers have planted cotton.
The gardens are looking fine in this
section, everybody will 'have plenty
of vegetables if the weather contin
ues favorable.
The measles are very bad in this
section all of them that hasn't had
them better stay4 close or they will
catch them.
'Miss Chrissie Ruff spent last Sat
arday night wit'h her aunt, Mrs. W.
F. Ruff.
Mr. W. L. Kibler and family spent
last Sunday with Mrs. W. F. Ruff.
Mr.*and Mrs. A. P. Ruff spent last
Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. L. H.
Sease.
Rev. J. J. Long and Mr. Blair
.pent Monday with Col. D.-A. Ruf.
Mr. John Sh-eely and his friend,
Nr. Rufus Long spent last -Sunday
vith his mother.
Mr. Caldwel-l Ruff and family
pent last Sunday with Mr. and Mrs.
D. A. Ruff.
Rev.. J. J. Long preached his filst
sermon at St. Philips last Sunday
in the afternoon. It was a splendid
and forcible sermon, he has a splend
d delivery and is an elegant speak
d. There will be no service until..the
econd Sunday in May .at eleven
'lock a. m. There will also be .com
union.
I will close for this with much suc
:ess to The Herald and News.
Wade.
IN MEMORIAM.
Thagldeus -Richordson died March
the 31.
This community was greatly shock
d on the 31st of March byv the sad!
ews of the death of Mr. Thaddeus
Richardson, who was a loving :. and
:evoted son of Mr. and Mrs.. Jacob
Richardson. On the following day
is body was laid to rest in the quiet
burying ground of St. Paul's church,
the funeral services being conducted
by his pastor Rev. J. A. Sligh. Death
is sad on all occasions but it is ex
tremely sad to see one just in the
bloom of life taken away.
He was a fine young man, with a
pure and noble character and blessed.
with a cheerful disposition and bore
all the trials of life with Christian
fortitude. He leaves a mother and
father, two brothers and two sisters
and a large host of friends to mourn
iis~ departure.
He was a devoted and consistent
emnber of ASt. Paul 's E. L. ehurch.
Ready always to help in everything
that pertained to the welfare of the
hurch, lhe will be greatly missed in
the home, in the church and in the
ommunity. He is gone but he will
live on the fruits of his labors.
"0, he was good! So pure! if ever
mortal form contained the spirit of'
an angel it was his.''"
His death was sudden as he was*
seriously ill but a short while. Re
lease soon -cameannd he has gone to
J. Drric's pace . ml eas
~W
J. Derrick's place, one mile east
fountain.
-enter into the joy of our Lord whose
faithful servant he was for twenty
five years. All that could be done
for him was done, but all was in
vain, it seemed that God wanted him
and took him, he needed another an
gel.
That while in the untimely death
of their dear son they have sustained
a great loss, but their loss is his eter
nal gain for as .his sweet spirit took
its flight from the tabernacle of clay
to go to the home above his Master,
whom he had so faithfully served
here below to receive and wear his
crown of rightousness.
The vacancy he has left in the
home can never be filled again, his
ehair by the fireside is empty, his
voice is hushed and still he is gone,
but not forgotten. The Lord said,
"Well done t ou good and faithful
servant; enter thou into the joy -of
thy Lord," where sorrow and suf
fering never invade and happiness
beyond the power of human concep
tion is eternally enjoyed.
He was a devoted son and brother,
a neighbor of many good deeds, hewas
always present when duty called, and
willing to give himself an'd his means
freely to the cause that was close
to his heart.
His life was quiet and unassuming.
and yet such that the world is 'better
off from the fact that 'he -lived.
Many will fondly cherish his mem
ory. Let all take his life as an ex
ample, live and die as he did. A good
name is to be* chosen rather than
riches.
The large congregation and the
number 'and character of the floral
offerings showed how he was esteem
ed and loved. To know him was to
love him.
That I extend my heartfelt sym
pathy to 'the bereaved family and bid
them look: forward to meet their
loved one with the angels in heaven.'
Lyda B. Metts.
TEMPERANCE IN OUE SUNDAY
S0HO0LS.
The necessity of more systematie
teaching of temperance in the Sunday '
Sehool his led the International Sun
day School Association to form a
Temperance Department in the great
I.n-ternational work. This was one
of the forward steps taken last June.
at Louisville in the International. con
vention. We have a Temperance De
partment in our State work under
the ,management of Mrs. A. J. Bow
ers of Newberry. T-hose interested
in more thorough work for the Sunday
School will at once write the Super:
intendent for leaflets.
The First Tract Leaflet.
The first tract ever published by
the society was entitled, "A Shot at
the Decanter.'' It was written by
Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler, D. D., LL.
D., and at once beeame most popular.
Over a qu'arter of a million copies
have been sent out. "A Shot at the
Decanter'' has been printed in many
languages, and its charm 'has made
it attractive :throughout the civilized