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CITIZENS Of LAURENS UNANIMOUS IN ENDORSING THE MOVEMENT All Agree Upon One Point and That Is That the Issue) Must be Met for the Time Has Come When a Forward Move Must be Made. During the past few days The Advertiser has received numbers of letters from Interested citizens expressing their satisfaction at the opportunity which is now boforo the city to secure a college. It is peculiarly noteworthy that not a single discordant note has been sounded In the city since the announce ment that Chtcora would probably be moved here. There is a unanimity of bpirlt never before seen In this city and Judging by the undivided support that has been promised, It Is a foregone conclusion that the amount needed will be successfully raised. Some of the letters follow: Kditor The Advertiser: It seems to me that Laurens has reached a crisis In its history. The op portunity to secure a Christian Col lege is not given to every town. Our opportunity has come. What arc we going to do about it? Shall we seize it or despise and reject it? We are go ing to do one or the other. Which shall it be? It would be difficult to catalogue the many advantages that would come to us by having Chicora ?college located in our midst. I? would greatly help every phase of our lite. For one 1 sincerely trust that the cit izens of Laurens will not sleep over their rights. That they will not allow this valuable prize to slip from them. For one, I shall do all In my power to bring the college to Laurens. Yours truly, W. E. THAYER. Editor The Advertiser: The prospect of Laurens securing a womans college la the best newR I have heard in many moons. It means more for the future growth and de velopment of our town than any op portunity that has knocked at our doors since I have been a resident here. Every town that is neighbor to us has its facilities for higher edu cation. Can Laurens longer remain without this powerful magnet with which to attract new citizens? Green wood transplntcd I>ander and It has nourished In Its new soil. Increased educational facilities added to the na tural advantages and business enter prises which we already have and will get, In time to come, will do more to pmund out and make our development. i.s a community, symmetrical and well balanced than any thing else we could do. The coming of Chicora will at once benefit every citizen of Laurens and I want to have a part in any move ment that will do that. At the foot, in the middle, at the head or anywhere and all along the line, I will work; content to know 1 at I am in line, while the progret' .e army is moving out to encompass .o much that will be of value. Respectfully, H. K. A1KEN. TOditor The Advertiser: Several times In the history of our city we have had offered us proposi tions which if accepted would have placed us far ahead of where we stand today. There was given us a chance for locnting Winthrop College In our midst. It was located elsewhere. We could, under certain conditions, have secured for our town the advan tages of the Sea Hoard Air Line rail road pnssing through and by here, but there were with us those who claimed] that It was not necessary for us to put \ forth leffort, and stake money for our chances, because It would come this way anyhow. And as always has been the ease In tho history of progress, these great forces of material, social and intellectual development went to those who sought after them, and paid for them. We have another opportunity given us for the location with us of tho< greatest need of the public of the city of-Laurens today in the offer made the town by the trustees of Chicora col lege. What will we do with ii? I jn now hear the whispers of that -^ass of our people, who, like those In the past, are not willing to put forth the effort and to count down the cash, which may be necessary to accept at once this, the greatest proposition made us in years, saying: "The amount is too great. We can't raise It. Our people are too poor. How would a col Jege benefit me? I am a bachelor. I am married but no children. I have edu cated all my girls." Poor unfortu nate man! But now my friends, let's pull asldo the curtain and see if, as an Investment, It won't pay us to go -? I to work and as a united citizenship, accept this proposition without delay. From a trade standpoint our town is circumscribed by all of our neigh bors along the railroads leading out from this point, where they can sell heavy merchandise as cheap as we can; can pay as much for cotton as we can; they lend money at the same rale of interest as we do; but fortu nately for us we have that larger se gregation of business interest that of fers competition to the buyer and sel ler. Hence, if we will, if we hustle like our neighbors, we can continue to lead as we should do in all the a\enues of trade and business. However, to do this wo must offer superior educ ational advantages. Now, you say, look at our graded school. The building cost fifty thousand dollars. We have a Tine corps of teachers. Yes. and so has every township in the coun ty and only once If we remember, has a,pupil of our city schools taken the honors in competition over our county graded schools. The country graded school will continue to grow In im I proved methods and equipment and unless we keep in front, all of our In terests will lag and our property de crease in valoe. No, follow citizens, we arc able to raise the money to secure this college. The job to do It, is a fairly good one and will require the help of erery property owner In the city. Seventy-five thousand dol lars, as a voluntary gift for the cause of Christian education will advertise Laurens more fnvorably than all the other business Mitcrprises put togeth er. It will revive activity In all our real estate, so as that you can soli if you de sire to at an advantage. It will change the social and educational conditions of our city so as that homo-seekers will bo continually In conference \y,ith our real estate men, and force them to take down any and all advertise ments reading "To rent", "To soli." Now let us come to the front?let us to it man put our shoulders to the Wheel. Hot us have but one slogan: "Altogether, forward," so as that we can give our appreciative women an opportunity to raise, and unfurl over many interests a new banner upon which will bo written in letters of gold: *K5hiC0ra College?Christian Fe male Education." Victory for Lau rens. W. JL. C.RAY. Editor The Advertiser: I'm sure that I Join the groat voice of our people in rejoicing that a col lege is within the grasp of our town. I have the utmost confidence In our people in .believing that wo shall not lot th^J rcftvt opportunity go by. 'fob j&ftfa/F from a college to our community cannol alone bo measured In dollars and cents and It should not be. Ilather let us think of the refin ing and uplifting Influence to the present and coming generations and from the ennobling Influences eminat ing from the "college atmosphere" that we would have in our midst. The moral, literary and social side of our entire citizenship would be bound to seek a higher level from the effects of havin*ru$\ Chrlstion college in our town, o.nce wo have a chance of securing Chicora college, wo can not afford to do without it. The move ment on foot should receive support from every man, woman and child in our community. Yours very truly, B. L. JONES. Supt. City Schools. Editor The Advertiser. The question of securing the Pres byterian College for Laurens hns come to the minds of tho people here and with it the best opportunity tho town has ever had In this respect. It occurs to me that it is the most opportune time for every citizen of the county and town to become exceedingly In terested In this proposition. A high grade college to be established here would mean more to the people today and tomorrow than possibly any thing that could be done for the prosperity and advancement of the best Interests of all the people. This Is an oppor tunity that certainly cannot be over looked. Meeting the proposition made by the trustees of Chicora college to the people here, and doing It at once, would be the longest stride in the right direction that has ever been un dertaken by the progressive citizens of our community. To do this it Is neces sary to have a bona-flde subscription of probably Ninety Thousand Dollars. This sum should be raised within a day. The young men of small means, as well as the men of able finances, .should grasp this opportunity and make their subscriptions In a most lib eral manner. Within a few years time the money subscribed by them would not be missed and property would greatly increase In value and the de served dignity of the community would be bettered and maintained. Right now is the best time to do the best thing we have ever had an op portunity to do and I trust the good people will not let it. pass unheeded. Yours truly, W. (>. LANCASTER. Editor The Advertiser: The establishment of Chicora col lege In Laurens should vitally inter est every citizen of the town, it doubtless will be an investment that will stay by us, and will yield hand some, and well nigh, immediate, divi dends to the property owners, as well as the merchants. And surely it will be money in the pockets of those who have daughters to educate. This Is self-evident. The propocitlon appeals strongly to the young men of the town. They al so will reap largely of the benefits, for In a very few years they will be the guardians of the public wcllfare of our people, and a helping hand now, will prove to be a valuable as set In the fufure. Let us have the college. But to get It, the whole town must pull together, and pull In earnest. C. W. TUNE. Editor The Advertiser: I cannot help but feel elated over the prospect of securing a woman's college for Laurens. It means more to Laurens than I dare try to enumerate here?suffice to say that all good citi zens regardless of denomination, should join In this great movement which means so much to the educa tional Interests of this community and surrounding county. We have one of the vest counties in the .-.t?te?backed up by as good and true citizens as any seetion of the state?and it behooves all of these to take a hearty and sub stantial Interest In this movement. Not only with their money but their Influ ence should all be concentrated in this the greatest enterprise that the Lau rens citizens have had the pleasure to engage. Let all true citizens ral ly to the educational standard and they will be called blessed after tills gener ation has passed and gone. Respectfully. D. A. DAVIS. Editor Th* dvertiser: To say L.at we are in hearty sym pathy with the movement recently Inaugurated for the purpose of bring ing Chicora college to our town should but mildly express The Interest folc by every citizen. Wo are glad to note that the one urgent need Which Laurene has felt for so long Is Boon to be satisfied In tho ultimate perfection of this move ment. This Is a etupendous oppor tunity for our people and at the same time one equally ac great for the in stitution Itself, in as much as it shall be located In a town where denomina tional, lines will be laid aside so far as patronage goes and it shall receive a larger support from a people united In its Interests. It therefore behooves every citizen of I-aurens and Laurenn county to measure up to this privilege. Our ztal must know no bounds. Our ef forts must be commensurate with our needs. We want it. We must have iU We cannot live without it. Chico ra, rah, rah, rah. CHAS. H. HICKS. Editor The Advertiser: There are many reasons why we cannot let up until we see Chicora college in Laurens. Heretofore, we have looked too much to direct divi dend paying Investments without ex pected results. We bring Into our town men that have money already to Invest In other enterprises by hav ing educational advantages to offer that otherwise will go to other towns that have them. We enhnnce the value of our property at least 2f> per cent, by giving to the college. We elevate the moial standard of tihe town. We put Into the reach of many of our townspeople an opportunity of graduating at an institution of stand ing that otherwise would be deprived of their real rights and privileges. We Btart with at least $100,000 ad vantage over a new college If we bad the money to build one that was yet to establish her standing. We start with 200 students that we would have to hunt for, If we were starting a new college. A. ROSS BLAKELEY. Editor The Advertiser: l ecently this question was nro p. ded by one of the local newspa p. "What Is Laurens County's greatest need?" Varying answers might be given, but If the proposition be reduced to "What Ijs the greatest need of the city of Laurens?" sponta neously should cotno the answer, "Crystali/.ed sentiment in favor of lay ing aside everything else until this college matter is worked out." .The people over the state are now looking on to see what Lauren8 is going to do toward complying with the plan that has been submitted whereby Chi cora college may be removed to this city. Shall we go forward and meet the proposition like the game little city Laurens is? All agree that it is an opportunity. Perhaps wc have had them before, but that. Is not the question now. We are dealing with the present and planning for the future. We have provided ad equately for the preparation of our girls for college, and now that the college can be brought right to the very doors of the graded school, we candidly believe the men of I^aurens will see to it that it shall not be thrown up to future generations that we fell down in 1012 when Chicora college knocked at our door for ad mission. What say tho men and wo men of Laurons now. TODAY? W. L. TAYLOR. Editor Tho Advertiser: Why we need tho college: Poing a business man, one of tho reasons 1 would give for wanting the college in Laurens is that I realize that it would be the cause of bring ing a groat many families to live in our town, in order that their chil dren might be educated, and by so do ing it would Increase all business in terests in tho city. Another reason, is that I myself have four daughters to educate and should like to have thorn educated at a college In my own town and county. Another reason, b.inglng the col lege to our town would not only bo an educational advantngo. but it would also bo a great moral uplift to our community. E. II. W ILK ES. Mr. Thos. D. Lake, a member of the board of trustees of the city schools, said: "I am positive tho town will use her best efforts In securing the college and aftor It Is here and doing the great, work laid out for it. the people of ?11 denominations and professions In life will rally to Its support and stand by it In prosperity and adversity. Laurens Is geograph ically tho logical place for tho college and by reason of tho fact that she has no other institution with which to vide support Chicora's growth and ex pansion will be anxiously watched and zealously fostered. Editor The Advertiser: I .Aureas stands today on the thresh hold of a new era?if . the people will measure up to the full dut yof true progressive citizens. Little did we think that such an opportunity would be offered us. yet today we can claim Chicora college?. a college of high rank and established reputation?if we will work together with one object In view?success. Out of all proportion to its cost, Chicora college would, in every way, benefit Laurens: First?The attraction of the most de sirable class of people to become res idents and thereby adding to the bus iness prosperity of the entire town. 8eeond?As a general advertisement for Laurens, not only by tho students CITY COUNCIL HEARTILY ENDORSES THE MOVEMENT TO SECURE THE COLLEGE As an evidence of the unanimity of tho citizens of Laurens upon the vi tal question of securing Chicora col lege Is Instanced the resolutions just passed by the City Council endorsing the movement and calling upon all citizens to render their assistance for the accomplishment of the purpose In hand. State of South Carolina, County of Laurens, City of Lau renn. Whereas, The citizens of our city! have Inaugurated a movement to se cure the location of Chicora Female College at Laurens, South Carolina, and recognizing the gei graphical ad vantages and superior healthful con ditlons of the city, and foreseeing tho many advantages that will accrue to our city and people of the county gen erally by tho establishment of auch an institution in our midst, Therefore, Bo It Resolved by tho City Council of the City of Laurens, That the movement to establish Chi cora college at the City of Laurens bo and the same Is hereby heartily eu dorBed, and the people of our city aro urged to make every reasonable effort for the accomplishment of said pur pose. Adopted July 6th. 1D12. C. M. BABlt. Attest: Mayor. .IAS. A. ROLAND, City Clerk. THE PRIZE 18 IN OUR REACH IE WE ONLV TAKE IT DOWN in Friday's issue of The Greenville News appeared the following: That Chicora College has gone by Greenville, so to speak, or that there Is little or nothing the city can do to prevent the removal of tho institu tion to Laurens, is the frank state ment made to a representative of The News yesterday by one of the trustees of Chicora College. i As the trustees stated in the com munication printed in The News of yesterday, the matter Is now "taken out of the hands of the board and placed Into those of the citizens of Laurens and the Presbyteries of the Synod." The citizens of Laurens speaking through their committee which apepared before the trustees Tuesday night, stand rendy to meet the conditions named by the ways and means committee for the remov al of the college?"an acceptable site and a contribution of $75,000." Laurens Can Meet It. There voms to bo little or no doubt but that the people of Laurens will raise the $7f>,000. The town has no college to support, whereas Grcon ville has three big ones?G, F. C, Fur man and Chicora?two business colleges, a Catholic school, a hospi tal and other institutions. Laurens there. And at the same time, the money for public Improvements, erected two one million dollar cot ton mills In one year, contributed nearly a half- million dollars to an electric railway ? In other words Lau rens people have had nothing for Which to spend their money and con sequently they have plenty of It and will have no trouble In raising $";">, 000. That Laurens can furnish tho site?one of 81 acres?is practically certain. Land Is plentiful about there and not so dear as it Is about Qrooil vllle. Eighty-one acres of land about. Greenville would cost something, and then some. (Jo Before Presbyteries. Since the matter is now up to tho various Presbyteries of the Synod and the people of Laurens, there is but. one way by which Greenville could retain the college, as was explalnod the trustee yesterday. It will take two-thirds of the Presbyteries of tho Synod voting to remove tho college. There me seven Presbyteries, and five of them have the power to movn the Institution. The only way Orootl Vllle could combat the movement; would be to go before the various Presbyteries and Muht the matter our. has not expended huge amounts of trustee said. Greenville would havo to show those Presbyteries where Greenville could better the proposi tion from the Laurens people COLD BUSINESS PROPOSITION JUSTIFIES MOVING CHICORA (The Greenville New? ) A member of the board of trustees of Chicora College in commenting yesterday upon the probable removal of this Institution from Greenville to Linirens stated that tho matter was purely a cold, business proposition, und cited the following conditions if the College remained a( Greenville, and if it should be removed to Laurens: Remaining Hero Moans: Debt of $4fi.000. Present inadequate plant. Site of 4 1-2 or 5 acres, "There was absolutely no feeling toward the people or the city of OreeUville In the action," continued the speaker. "We stated that if Greenville could show us a proposi tion that eamo within $50,000 of be ing as good as the one from Laurens, we would not recommend the remov al of the college." Tho speaker went on to state that he could give out no official informa tion further than that contained In the statement which the l>oard of trustees furnished the (?reenvillc News Wednesday night, and which was published In Thursday's Issue of this paper. He then took up the report of the WAys and means committee and went over paragraph at a time and pointed out the committee's reasons for ad vising the removal of the Institution to Laurens. As the committee ?tat Removing (o l.aureus Means: All debts wiped out. A $ioo.<ioo plant. (110,000 endow ment. Site of SI acres. Od In its report, four propositions touching the removal of the COllego from its present site to tin- suburb . of (Ireonyllle svere presented. (5r->eil vllle's representation at this meeting of the board consisted of tin- four Greenville men who are members of tho hoard of trustees and I'lcsideni, Byrd. The committee later reported that none of the four proposltlOllH offered by Greenville were accoptabb . Tho four propo^liilns mentioned above could not he found out yestei ? day by the reporter. The speaker then went on to point out tho reasons given by the com mittee for regarding It as imporatlvo that the most careful consideration bo given to the pro|rOf>itlon of remov ing the college from Greenville. This was published in the report of tho ways arid means committee In yester day's News and need not be reprint ed here. but the visiting parents, speakers, etc. Third--The Intellectual stimulus It will awaken in the whole town. Fourth?The culture In art and music that would directly or indirect ly reach probably all classes. Fifth- A vital factor in the moral and religious lifo of the town. The securing of so great a prize cannot bo accomplished without Ihr? united efforts of all the Citizens of Laurens. So let everyone do his full duty and Laurens will have one of the best colleges In the state. E. P. M1NTER.