The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-12-02


no one should control the education or
the youth of the State, who is deficient
in moral character. Who, would ask,
are the Teachers Of Free Schools? Are
they men to whom the Legislature can
commit, with confidence, the great busi-
ness of education? What is the amount
of their literary qualifications, and Whist
the tone of their morality? 1t is not my
design TO indulge in unnecessary remarks
upon this subject, but truth requires me
to say that, as class, they are grossly
incompetent 10 discharge their high and
sacred functions. So far as my observa-
ton extends, with but few exceptions,
they are very ignorant, and possess very
easy morality. With poor pay allowed
them, we cannot reasonably calculate up-
on any better state 6f things. The men
who take charge of our public schools, and
accept SO miserable piliance as the re-
ward of their labors, are they who cannot
get employment on any other terms. Ne
cessily forces them to make the offeriof
their services, and necessity forces the.
Commissioners to accept them. II is.
now in South Carolina reproach TO be a
Teacher of free school, as it is regarded
prinea facie evidence Of a want of qualif-.
cation. Men will not embark in the bhsi-
ness Of education, from mere motivesoe
patriotism. You cannot command supe--
rior talent and attainment, without ade-.
quate compensation. The Lawyer, the
Physician, and the Artisan, bestow not
their labors gratui,iously; and upon what
principle of reason or justice, can it be
expected, that he who has qualified him
self, by years of severe toll, for the most;
useful of all professions, shall labor at "a
rate which will not supply the want; Of
na,urel
Notwithstanding the annual appropria-@
ton of thirty-seven thousand dollars. it.
is yet true, that public education does not
receive from US the consideration TO which
it is entitled. Permit me 10 say, that,it
should be the prominent subject Of your
deliberations, until something is accom-
plished worthy of South Carolina. The
fund which is set apart for this purpose,
dees not answer the end, for which il is
intended. In many Districts, it is drawn,
and not legitimately appropriated, and in
many instances made the object Of impro-
per speculation. trust that you will;
GO on with the work which the last Legis.
lature began, and not be deferred BY the
difficulties which attendi it. In this matter,
weshould not count the cost. 1t is fair
occasion for experiment. If we are not
prepared to substitutean an entire new sys--
tenn, there is no reason why we shoulds
pertinaciously reject all modification. 1t
has been recommended to you, to create.
an officer, with competent salary to-
be called the Superintendent of Public
Schools. This officer might be elected
for one year, and you will at least have
the benefit of>his labors for that period,
Let him make the tour of the Slate. cx-
anime infinitely the condition Ct the
Schools in the several Districts, and re-.
polt fully to the Legislature, on all mat
ters relating TO the subject, with such
suggestion as he may deem proper. An
amount of information will thus be obtain
ed, which cannot be procured in any
other way, and which will be Of great
service, in any future effort to mature a
system. With a competent officer, some
good would be surely done, and upon
such subtec, sound policy jus'i6es tho
inconsiderable expenditure,
For the financial condition Of the State,
I refer you TO the Reports of the Comp
troller- General, aud the President Of the
Bank of the State Of South Carolina. In
these Reports there is much matter wor-
thy of your most grave consideration
For some years past the State has antiei-
pated her income, and permitted her ex-
penditures to exceed it. To cover the de-
ficit, the funds of the Bank have been
seized upon, and diverted temporarily
from their legitimate employment by
which its operations are necessarily de-
ranged, and its effective power weaken
ed. The increased abstraction of its
funds has given rise to well-founded alarm;
in those who administer its affairs, as we'll
as to the officer who is at the head of your :
finances. The Comptroller General iai 8
forcibly exhibited the dangerous tender =
cy of these measures to cripple. and peer.
haps even to destroy, the usefulness .''E
The Bank. The events of the last yt'sy
are pregnant with warning, and the Pr e.
sident and Directors have with pro- per
earneslness and fidelity, called yow at
tention to them. Amidst dificultie and
embarrassments unexampled in it hist d.
ry, they have firmly met the erie IS of The
)'y' ., " eonN ooa n w