The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-04-21
c ON Nun IC AII 0 n N
For the Ledger.
The Free-sGhool System of So. Ca.
NUMBER III.

In the preceding numbers we have consid- |
cred the present Free School System as be- !
ing organically defective, and that this defect !
extended to the mode of the distribution Of
the Fund we have also endcavourcd to
prove, that theprescnt MODE of distribution,
according to Representation in the House of
Representatives, is Unjust, unequal, and un-
wise.
The remedy, then, demands such asreor-
ganization of the present system rs will re-
move these Objectionable features, and, ut
the same time, accomplish the object and
the purposes of the institution. This can
be done by distributing the Fund among the
several Parishes and Districts ELECTION Dis
tricts) in the State,.according to rhue popu-
latfou.
This furnishes the only sure and practical
mode ofrcaching the subjects, and accomplish
y ing the objects and purposes of the system.
The Free School System, in its practical opc-
ration, being beneficiary institution, the
funds should be applied strictly TO the sub
jects, the INDECENT, and in proportion to the
number of such, in the several Parishes and
Districts; but this number cannot be correct
ly asccrtaincd; for the reason, that it would
be impossible to fix and observe Il correct and
uniform standard throughout the State
Those might be deemed fit subjects for the
free school fund in one District or Parish,who
would not be so regarded in another 20
a fix general rule, which would be definite,
certain, and equal, would require such Il
knowledge of the pecuniary circumstances Of
the people rs it is impossible to obtain. White
population forms the only practicable basis.-
Therethc subjects ofthe fund are to be found;
and the proportion of the INDECENT in any
given population will be very nearly the same:
sufficiently near, at least in the absence of
one more correct, TO furnish general rule
To distribute the fund, according to white
population in the several parishes and districts
would be more just, equal, and wise; and
when South Carolina adopts this mode she
will then have done her part, and the rcspon-
sibility ofthe success of Free Schools will
rest upon her citizens
This change, we believe to be necessary
to give efficacy to any improvement which
may hereafter be attempted, and to enlist the
cordial support of the people. Without it,
any such proposition for improving the sys-
TEN must meet with opposition, and receive
reluctant support. This change must be
effected, first of all, before any plan of opc-
ration can be successful and prove to be sat
isfactory. 1t is the first thing to be DONE
before any forward movement can be made,
it is turning point in the whole scheme.
lying back of the many propositions which
have heretofore been made in reference to
Z the whole matter; it is a~stumbling block.
in the outset and must always operate to
battle every effort to advance the progress of
the institution, to render it useful and to give
satisfaction.
1t has been proposed in order to remedy
the present distribution, that each election
District should pay its own Free School cx-
penses.
This is subject to many of the objections
which have been urged in this article in OPP
position to the present mode of distribution
The Free School system is State institu-
tion, and the State as such is TO be benefit
ted by it, and every citizen stands alike, and
in the same relative position to the Statc.-
Almost al of the other propositions, which
have been made upon the subject, such as a
general superintendent of Schools, &c, cy-
tend to the practical operation of the sys-
tenn These may come up for consideration
under 4 review of the system in that conncc
ton.
. The Grand Jury Of Lancaster District,
Fall Term 1851, in their presentmcnt re-
commended, that the Fund be increased to
Fifty Thousand Dollars, and to be distribu-
ted according to white population. This
increased appropriation, we believe to be
proper and necessary, to render the system
more etectunl, and to provide for the cdu-
cation of Il greater number, and moreover ne
eessary, to assist middle class of citizens,
forwhom no adequate provision has, hereto
fore,bcen made by the State.
~ There were two hundred and eighty thou
sand, three Hundred and eighty-fve, white
inhabitants in the State, according to the
ssscensus taken in 1s49. TO increase the Fund
to Fifty Thousand Dollars, and TO distribute
it according to white population, and will
give to every thousand white inhabitantsone
hundred and seventy-eight dollars and thr.
ty-two cents, and in that proportion.
The present Fund, under the act of 1911,
amounts to thirty-seven thousand and two
hundred dollars. If this fund were distrbu-
ted according to white population, it would
giye|to every thousand white inhabitants,
sone hundred and thirty two dollars and six
ty-seven cents, and in that proportion.
AS the present fund is now distributed
{according to representation in the House
of Representatives, the proportion, to the
thousand white inhabitants, varies in the
several Parishes and Districts, as taxation