Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-08-27

vention. 1t is not matter Of discretion with
Electors whom they shall vote for, in any case,
whether elected by the Legislature or the People.
In addition to this, think there is deplorable
deficiency of political knowledge existing in our
State. Few understand the systems of govern.
ment under which we live-few are acquainted
with the history of its administration even during
their own times-iew are acquainted with the DO.
lltcal questions OF the day, upon which the oper-
atons OF the government this great country de- q
pends and few feel any interest in public affairs.
| would have all this changed-I would have our
people wise, vigilant jealous of their rights, and
proud OF their privileges would have the Young
men Of the country ambitious, energetic, bold and
selfreliant do not anticipate these results from
this proposed change, but it is step towards the
elevation Of the people.
THE FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The State has long been alive to the necessity
of improving the system Of public instruction, but
heretofore the subject has been involved in SO
much difficulty. that no materiatchange has been
effected. 1t is the first duty of the State in free
governments, to provide for the education of the
citizen. 1t will not do to stop short of the accom-
plishment of this end. The wealth of this State
is such that it will be no bdrthen to provide the
means of educating the poor. The only question
of difficulty is as to the mode of operations. Thir.
ty-seven thousand dollars have been appropriated
by the State for free schools, for number of years
past and it is conceded that it has failed to ac-
complish the good it ought to have done. In-s
deed its influence has scarcely been felt except in
few localities. This is attributable, principally,
ID the mode of distributing the amount through
out the State. The object of the expenditure is,
to educate the children fthe poor throughout the
State, and It is strange indeed that the present
mode of distributing the fund, should ever have
been devised, singularly inappiicable as it is, to
the object proposed. 1t is divided among the diff.
terent Districts, according to representation in the
popular branch of the Legislature. One half of
the representation, l have already said, is based
upon taxation, the other half, only, upon popula-,
ton. 1t is evident then that the free school fund
is distributed one half according to population,
the other half according to The amount of tarable
property. 1t seems to me nothing can be said in
| favor of this mode of distribution, whatever OBJ
jectons may be urged against any other suggested.
The only mode of distribution which / deem
reasonable, is that predcated on the actual neces-
sity. Let survey be made to ascertain the
wants ofthe State in this respect. Let the num-
Der of poor scholars in each District be ascertain
ed, and distribute the fund among the whole num-
ber equally. think, If necessary, that the appro-
priaton should be increased until the object of the
expenditure shall be fully met, and the means of
education afforded the poor. The details of
system of public instruction are difficult to be
settled, until we have obtained results by actual
experiments, and will not trespass longer on the
time and attention of your readers by going at
large into discussion Of that plan which have
submitted to the people in private conversation,
and on several occa ions when have had the
privilege of addressing them publicly. 1t is sufi-
cient TO say that it embraces the mode of ascer-
tanning the number of scholars to be educated
provides for the election of Commissioner in
| every Beat Company-estabIishes school limits,
and ascerains the competency of teachers. A
superintendent Of Free Schools constitutes one of
the proposed changes which am prepared 10 ad-
vocate. do not ilatter myself that can origin-
ate plan of public instruction which will be
valuable in itself, but my thoughts have long been
interested in this subject, and | have deemed it,
my duty to advocate such measures as my iudg-1
ment approves. -
| With these observations upon the questions
proposed, / close this extended communication.
do not regret that this opportunity of making
known my opinions has been afforded me, since
do not covct any position unless am placed in it
after full exposition ofmy principles.
Very Respectfully, yours.
JOSEPH B. KERSHAW.
Camden, Aug. II, 1852.