The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1839-12-14

few ins!ances--in too few Instances to
make the experiment worth trial, would
the parents consent to give their children
up entirely, which alone would render
such aasYslcm advisable.
Other schemes have been presented, as
substitutes for the present system, which
are worthy Of consideration, from their
praclicability, their chsapness, and Shove
all, their Limitation to the specific matter
in hand. Among these, that presented by
DR., HENRY, of Richland, is the best di-
gested, and the best suited to the condi.
ton Of Our Country. It's defects. are the
very low compensation, at which his plan
made it necessary for HIM to fix the remu-
nera'inn Of the teachers, and the opening
Of the schools but five months of the year
in anv given place. We 10 not think that
proper teachers could be procured, under
any arrangement, at $3.50 per annum, "a
common day laborer could earn as much, J
nor that the children could mako much
progress under five months tuition
Should the Legislature determine, howcv-
or, 10 change the school system, we are
free to say that, with these objections re-.
moved, it is the best which has been sus-
gcsted.
We should think it more advisable.
however, for the present. to proceed with
caution, and TO aim, under the present
system, at a more effective expenditure of
the public money. We believe that no
sy stem will be successful, which is not
adjusted upon much larger induction Of
facts. than is at present before the Legis-
lature, which facts can he obtained only
from personal observation, and practical
experience. We would, therefore, re-
commend, as the first step in the revisal
Of the Free School system of the State,
that there should be elected BY the Legis-
lature, Superintendent of Free Schools,
holding his office f,r four years, and re-
eligible, with The salary of Circuit Judfe,
whose duty it should be TO devote his
whole time to the arrangement and super
of The Free Schools Of the
State, and Ge Tie resp 'usible organ Ct
communication between them and the Lc-
sisla,ure. The information which such
an officer, anl such All oGicer on'y, coulI
give 10 the Legislature, otf Tie nunber
an. position of the oooi children j., the
respective Districts Ct the State, Of the
difficulties to be overcome in each pariicu-
lar case, and Of the operation Of the sys-
TEN under varying circumstances, could
enable 1t, in few years, to orectfv mast
of the evils which are acknowledged to
exist, but which many Of the Commis-
sioaers attribute rather o !he improper
execution Of The Acts, than to the System
itself. We have recommended high Sd
larry, and a tenure Of Office Of some years
duration because we think them necessary
for the procuring an officer Of the charac.
ter and requirements, requisite 10 Gil such
4 station Tie details Of his official duty
,an be best settled ky the Leeislature.--
They had better, al irst,C be very general,
50 as to give him much scope and latitude.
The Free School System was organized
mainly for the benefit Of the orphans aud
udigent children Of tie State; and the ap-
should be distributed with
distinct view to that object. No local or
sectional jculousics should be permitted to
,xst, in relation to this matter-iealou5ies
which, much to the credit and bereGt of
he State, have very much worn ,ut.---
When the Free School Act of 1911 was
passed, much of this sectional Jealousy
existed, and its trainers could do nothing
,ctcr than open these schools to the chill
lrch Of every citizen Of the State, whe-
her rich or poor, and distribute The ap
oropr;ation according 10 representation.
It is time that both these features of the
system should be altered; and that the
Schools should be limited 10 the needy,
md the appropriation be distributed
among the Districts according to popula-
ion. 'i'he objact Of the State is not t.
expend money among the people; it is to
improve and enlighten her poor children
whenever they exist, let the streams of
ler beneGcence now--whatevcr good is !
lone, is a general good; for while the
poor man is ma lie more virluous, the rich
nan is made more secure. At present,
hc money goes, in the largest quantities,
where there are fcwest people, and most
wealth.
We would recommend, in the third
place, that the money allotted to each Dis.
y