Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-07-27
Common Schools,

the last two or three years engaged much OF
the attention of the people of this State.
With the view of elicitng the opinion OF
our brethren of the press, we give the amend
ment offered by the Hon. ]. |. MIDDLETON
TO the bill of Mr.. TUCKER at the last session
of the Legislature. The feature of the
amendment 10 which we desire 10 call the
attention Of the press, and our readers
generally, is the method proposed to raise
the fund by which the benefits Of the common
school system shall be extended to the peo-
pie of the several districts. We do not
regard the amendment, taken in connection
with existing laws on the subject as sufti-
cient remedy of the defects at the present
I" free school SYSTEM" but we thluk the
characteristic features of Mr.. MIDDLEToN's
amendment should be engrafted upon any
system, which may hereafter be adopted by
the Legislature.
We shall not do more at present than thus
briefly to vindcate our preference for what
we regard the distinguishing tendency of the
amendment. At Atanolher time we may speak
more at large upon the amendment in con-
necton with the bill to which it was offered
as u substitute.
AMENDMENT
offered by Mr.. Middleton, to a Bill 10 es.
tabAisA Boards of Direction for Common
Schools, and for other purposes.
Sec. |. That the Annual Appropriation
for the Free Schools throughout the State
shall be thirty. seven thousand two hundred
dulars, as heretofore, to he distributed as
heretofore.
SEC. ii. That the several boards Of Com.
missoners of Free Schools shall have pow.
er and they hereby are authorized, to as
sess the tax payers of their respective districts
in an amount not to exceed ten per cent, on
the general taxes of each aud every year.
Sec. ILL., That whenever satisfat tory
proof shall be produced 10 the Comptroller
General, that Any Board Of Commissioners
of Free Schools shall have assessed and
collected any sum of money in the district,
for the purpose of improving their school
system, it shall be his duty, and he is hereby
authorized and required, to pay over to said
Board of Commissioners Il like sum of money
TO be by them expended, and accounted for
at the Court of Common Pleas for the
district at Fall term.
Sec. w. That it shall be the duty of the
several Boards of Commissioners Of Free
Schools also to report to the said Court, a
full and detailed account Of their admins
tration of the entire funds that shall be
placed in their hands, for the purpose OF
maintaining the different schools that they
may establish. And they shall publish their
report in the nearest Gazette, if their is any
within their district, and if not, shall publish
the same, by writing in four CONSPICUOUS
places in the district.
Sec. V. That the members Of any Board
negecting to report to the Courtof Com.
mon Pleas, an account OF; their transactions,
shall pay fifty dollars each, to be recovered
by action Of debt, in any Court of compe-
tent jurisdiction, one.half to the use Of State,
the other to The informers. And each mem
Der of any Board shall be liable to the same
penalty for neglect to publish said report.
SEC. VI. That each Board of Commis
sioners aforesaid shall appoint Treasurer
who shall hold his office during the pleasure
of the Board, and shall receive, keep and
disburse, under direction of the Board, all
moneys under its cuntrol, and account at
such time and in such manner as the Board
may prescribe. And such Treasurer shall
give bond, with sufficient suretes, for the
faithful performance of the duties of his
Office.