The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-12-05

with view to dissipate existing errors, and
perhaps 10 reconcile conflicting opinions. ]
recommend that 4 suitable individual be seec-
ted to ascertain, by personal observation, the
disc plnc and regulations of the schools; the
mode Of instruction; the books taught; the ca
pacity and general fitness OF the teachers;
whether the sums respectively recei,ed by
the Districts and Parishes are adequate to
their wants, and the regular supply Of quail
fled instructors, in fine to see and report the
practical operation of the present system; and
to suggest such improvements as he might
deem valuable. In this way, more light, it is
probable, will bc shed on the subject in two
years--the time to which the agent should be
limlted-tlan the reports Of the Commissions
crs have furnished since the organization OF
the scheme for popular instruction.
| AS strictly gerInane to the matter under
consideration, am constrained to state, that
suitable elementary works are greatly wan
ted. II few Of the books in common use
tend to corrupt the taste of youth, others show
the utter unacquaintance Of their authors with
the philosophy OF the mind; moreover, these
Productonsa are generally unadaptcd to South
crn pupils. There are many in which the
poison Of fanacisn. in some form, is certain
TO be found. Hatred 10 our domestic institu-
tutons, directly or indirectly expressed, is by
this means attempted to be cngralted on tho
tender and flexible mind.
For the obtanmeni of proper elementary
books, or which the Faculty of the Collere
shall approve, the Legislature might offer a
liberal reward. The public money could not
be more judiciously expended.
DEAF AND DUMB SCHOOL.
In company with II. n. Dawkins, one of
the Commissioners. visited, in July, School
for the Deaf and Dumb, at Cedar Spring,
Spartanhurg, under the superintendent OF
n. p. Walker At that time, the number of
pupils was cight--tivc males and three fc-
malcs--ot whom seven were bcncticiarcs,
and ono pay scholar. Although the Institu-
ion was not opened until the 22d OF January
last, the remarkable proficiency OF its schoi-
ars assured us of the capacity, skill, and as
sidui;y of the Principal. We accordingly
resolved, publicly to recommend to the par
ents and guardians Of mute children Mr.
Walkers school, as we'll entitled to their pa
tronagc and confidence.
The location at Cedar Spring has long been
distinguished for n salubrious atmosphere and
the purity and sautary properties of its water.
To these advantagcs-as soon as the work
shops, in the progress Of erection, shall have
been comple,ed--is TO be added the means Of
instruction in some useful trade, by which the
male pupils will have the opportunity Of pro-
filing.
Unposscsscd as VIC arc OF accurate data in
relation TO the number Of mutcs in the State,
there yet seems to be good reason 10 believe
that fifty or sixty may exist. Forty pupils
can now he accommodated with board and
lodging by Mr.. Walker. As the speedy en-
largemcnt of the school will require addition
al teachers, it may be gratifying 10 know, that
the services OF one or more OF that useful
class arc obtainabc in this or sister State.
In Hartford, Connecticut, there are seven
muies from South Carolina Every year the
number will be dimnshcd perhaps, in 1857,
not one will remain out OF the State. As the
fund TO the credit of the Deaf and Dumb ia
large, no further appropriation blythe Leglsla.
turc is required.
Al present, the blind are without the benefit
OF education in our State. A hope, however,
is indu!gcd that this reflection on its humani-
ty Will shortly be removed.
CITADEL ANo ARSENAL ACADEMIES.
iyrcconmcndthcsc schools, which.
from the efficiency of their discipline. and
modes %! instruction, merit the cpithc, of Nor
NAL, 10 yonr fostering care and protection.
The best commentary on their value is the
fact, that the graduates, without an exccp-
ton, are now engaged i'll honorable pursuits,
and III spreading over the State and else
where the intellectual treasures gathered at
these institutions. So deep in my mind in
the cCnviCtion OF their usciuicss and immca-
surabc superiority over our free schools, is
all that relates TO moral, mental and physical
culture, that, independent OF grave reasons Of
public policy, an induced to recommend the
establishment OF another Military Academy,
TO he located in one OF the upper Districts;
also that tho accommodations for Quartcring
the Arsenal Cadets be doubled, or, by addi-
tons, made sufficient for sixty -four young
men.
TO increase the utility of the Academies,
elevate thcmorai standing OF the Cadets, and
render more certain the prospects of their flu
turc efficiency, submit the following propo-
sal 10 your favorable notice:
!. That the Governor OF the State, and the
Eosrd OF NIsitcrs and Faculty, do confer the
degree OF graduate oi the institution upon such
Cadets as may be found qualified to receive
>. That, in future, every Beneficiary Cadet
shall be required to serve in the capacity oi a
teacher for two years after graduated, unless
excused by the Board OF Vlslters.
3. That the number of the Board of Nisi-
tcrs, to be appointed bicnnially by the Gov
crnor, be increased to nine, and that these be
selected from different pursuits, and not con
fined exclusively TO the military profession.
In conclusion of what has suggested itself
on this subject, | would state that the number
OF students i'll the Arsenal Academy is twenty
one, OF whom twenty are bcnefCiarics; the
number in the Citadel Academy has averaged
sixty five, in the proportion of forty beneiici-
aries TO twenty-five pay Cadets. BY the ad-
dtional rooms which the new story TO the Cit
adcl building has provided, one hundred and
thirty Cadets may be accommodated.
BANKoF THE STATE.
This institution was chartered in 1912.
the pccnnary pressure OF the times, in
dnccd by the restrictive policy of the Federa!
Government, it owed lis existence. The dis
trcss OF the planting community was so gen.
cral and paraljzing, that the Legislature, after
investigating every mode Of relief ultimately
adopted the scheme of system OF public
loans, IN the nature of discount, on real or