The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-04

secondly, that the teachers, mainly from made
quate compensation, are, as a body, unqualified
for the stations; and thirdly, that in the sections
of the State in which the population is sparse,
the public bounty is meagrely provided.
Aprofound solicitude forthe moral and .n.ellee-
tual welfare of the people induced me to suggest
to the teachers throughout our limits, the pro-
priety of assembling at Columbia, to consider
the subject Of free schools, the preparation at
home Of elementary and other books for the use
of our schools, the best mode of insuring the
progress Of education, and other kindred matters.
A copy of the proceedings Of the convention,
composed, in part, of men distinguished for
talent, character and usefulness, | take great
pleasure in transmitting to you, accompanied by
the expression of my hearty concurrence in the
conclusions at which it arrived.
The ascertained truth, that over 10000 per-
sons of our population are ignorant of their
alphabet, is indeed well calculated to excite gen.
eral and anxious inquiry concerning the causes
of 80 painful n moral calamity. According to
the official reports of the Board of Commission
ers, in lS4S, it appears that there are in the
State, $40 free schools, 9l5 teachers, and 1903
scholars, and the appropriation for the support
of the schools was $4,000, equivalent to about
$50 annually for each teacher, and $3.50 for
every pupil.
South Carolina expends for purposes of edu-
cation nearly one fourth of her income derived
from taxes. 1t would seem, that if 50 large a
| disbursement were wisely and economically APP
portioned, it might secure all the benefits which
the wisdom of tho Legislature designed but so
fortunate result has not been produced.
In submitting the whole matter TO your care
full consideration consider it my duty to re-
commend the appointment of general supern-
tendent of free schools, and that the several
boards of commissioners be authorised and in
structed, where the school fund is insufficient,
to raise by assessment OIL the general tax of
their respective districts and parishes a sum of
money equal in amount to that appropriated by
the legislature. The probable effects of this
duplication of MEANS will be the multiplication
of scholars, embracing perhaps all who may be
entitled to the public bounty a higher grade Of
instructors, and the establishment of the right,
in consequence of his contribution, which every
citizen would feel that he possessed, of consign-
ing his child to the mental guardianship of the
State.
We do not believe the free school system is
good any where. We think its merits have been
much exaggerated in the North, and that it will
fail even there, and will never succeed in the
South. No system of education by Government
will ever be good or if it commences so, it will
rivalry and energy will always produce better
schools than public endowment and superinten-
dence. AS for any obligation of State to af
ford general education to people, it is about as
reasonable rs to provide them generally with
food and clothes
AS to crime, South Carolina has little of it.
The expediency of revising our criminal code
seems to be universally conceded. The number
of offences punishable capitally is unwise, and
repugnant to the dictates of humanity. Many of
the statutes in force in South Carolina, in rea-
ton to crimes, are wholly inapplicabe to the
condition of our society, and may add, form Of
government. Enacted in Great Britain, at an early
period of her history, but subsequently modified,
impart with view to their adoption to the spirit
of the age, and the progress of society, yet, in
this State several of them are unrepealed, and
others are practically imperative
Undistingushed by large cities, sparse pop
ulation, which too is almost exclusively devoted
to agricultural pursuits; exemption from the
evils of foreign emigration and the class to which
transgressors of the law belong, being substitu-
ted by the slave, who is rarely guilty of helm
GUS offence, are the causes of the paucity of
crime in our limits, and which have rendered un-
necessary, until now, any material changes in Il
code that, in otter communities, the public safety
would have imperatively demanded.
Twenty-Five crimes, of which seven are clergy
able, are punishable with death still, hanging is
an uncommon spectacle in South Carolina. The
public whipping of white man, believe to be
in opposition to the popular sentiment. In my
Judgment, it is inhuman, degrading, and viola
a.. = 4 - G.,
community Unlawful trading and trailickng
nfcts upon society, and especially his vincinage,
widespread and prolific evils, is perhaps one OF
the very few offences deserving Of coporal pun
ishment.
Imprisonment, unaccompaned by labor OF
any kind, experience has demonstrated to be Of
little efficacy as a means Of reformation. The
period for which culprts confed, seldom rs
long as two years for the most aggravated trans
gressions, is too short for the mind to be awak-
encd to the necessity of a virtuous course Of &C
ton.
Fines are seldom paid. In perhaps two thirds
of the cases which have been brought to my
notice, the plea Of poverty, or inability at the
time to comply with the requistion of the law,
was certain 10 be urged At the expiration of
the term Of their confinement, the benefit Of the
Prison BOUNDS Act IS taken, Dy winch In ten
days the imprisoned are released from Jail.
TO the catalogue of punishments hard labor
for certain class of offences, might advantage
ously be added, or substituted for that of whip
ping.
| recommend that the matter Of revising the
criminal law be referred to commission of three
competent jursts, who shall receive salary,
fully adequate to the important service to be per-
formed.
Wewish South Carolina had some statistics of
crime within her borders, but it is so rare that
it cxctes no attention. We are in the habit of
looking over nearly all the papers Of the State
and we can safely say that no community in the
world of which we have any knowledge is more
exempt from crime.
We observe that the Governor recommends
the promotion of manufactures by the State,
and general act for corporations to facilitate
combinations of capital for that purpose. This
is one Of the results of the Northern warfare on