The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-21
coMMuHrcAr1oNs.
fFor The Ledger.1

Mr. EDIToR:-As there seems TO be some
dissatisfaction in reference to the vote gave,
in-the Legislature, upon the proposition to-
make the white population of the State the
basis for the distribution of the Free School
fund, hope you will allow me the privi-
legc of explaining, through the columns of
your valuable paper, my course in reference
to that subject.
Before speak of the action of the Legis-
latare upon the free school question, will
state that, during the course Of so, took
the ground distinctly, that the poor children
Of the State, were the only proper basis for
the distribution Of the fund--giving to each
district and parish in proportion to the num-
Der of its poor children. But if this could
not be effected, l was in favor Of making tho
white population of tic State the basis of
distribution, instead of the present, believing
that, thereby, the distribution Of the fund
would be more equal. After expressing
myself thus, both publicly and privately,
was elected; for which honor then felt,
and still feel, grateful to the people Of my
district. With these views, and feeling
deep interest in this subject, went to the
Legislature in 80. After consultation with
some of the most prominent and experienced
members, found that, on account Of want
of the proper information in reference TO the
number Of poor children in each Of the dis
tricts and parishes, it would be impossible to
so frame Bill, making the poor children of
the State the basis of distribution, without
such objections rs would insure its defeat,
therefore abandoned II. then offered Bill,
Though some dscouragements, however, to
80 alter and amend The Free School laws Of
South Carolina, as to increase the appro-
priatiOn to fifteen thousand dollars, and
make the white population of the State the
basis of distribution: This Bill was referred
to the Committee on Education, Of which
was a member; when it came before the
Committee for consideration, found that !
was almost alone in reference to that
cE.nse of the Bill which proposed to make
the white population the basis Of distribu-
ton. After discussing the question, was
assured the Committee would report against
tho Bill. Knowing how difficult il was to
pass a Bill in the House. when reported a.
gainst by Committee, and, in all probabili-
ty, if this passed the House, it would be de &.
featcd in the Senate on account of this
clause, said to the Committee, that my dis
triet, together with many others, needed
more money than they would get, accord
to the present basis Of dstributirn, ii the
appropriation was not increased beyond
fifteen thousand dollars, and must have Il
or their poor children must 60 untaught, and
proposed to the Committee that If il would
srecommend an increase of the appropriation
to seven ty-four thousand four hundred dol
lars; (S74,400) l would consent, when the
q Bill came bcfor1 the House again, TO strike
out the clause making the white population
the basis of distribution. This proposition
wHs agreed to- by the Committee, believe,
without dissenting voice. Before this
Bill came before the House again, tile gene
ral appropriation bill camo up for conside-
ration, which propo 'ed the former Free
School appropriation, TO wit: thirty seven
thousand two hundred dollars, (S37 ,2Oo).
Col. Asbmore, Of Sumter, moved TO amend
that clause OF the Bill by striking out $4,000
and inserting seventy-fve thousand, (S75,
0O0), suggested to him 10 so modify his
motion as TO make il seventy -four thousand
four hundred, as a Bill from the Committe G
on Education proposing that amount would
come up in due time, he accepted my sug-
gcstioh. Mr.. b. f. Perry, of Grecnville
then submitted this amendment: "proyided
the said appropriation be apportloned among
the several districts and parishes in proper
ton to the white population of the State
believing that an increase in the appropria.
ton Was important, and as felt confident
the amendment was offered for the purpose
and would have, ifit passed the house, the
effect of defeating the entire measure in the
Senate, and as had agreed, Gas have be
fore stated), with the Committee on Eduea
ton, to strike out from the Bill that had
offered, this same proposition, for the pur
pose of further increasing the appropriation
and rendering its passage more certain,
voted against Perry's amendment, not thai
> J was opposed to making the white popula
: ton Of the State the basis of distribution
but for the reasons, in part, above stated.
I have thus, Mr.. Editor, briefly, though
, trust, satisfactorily, explained my course ia
/, reference to this subject.
Respectfully, w. C. CAUTHEN.-