The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-21
coMMuH1cAr1oNs.
ffor the Ledger.1

Mr.. EDIToR:-As there seems to be some
dissatisfaction In reference to the vote gave,
inthe 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 Ispcak of the action Of the Legis.
| latare upon the free school question, 1 will
state that, during the course Of so, l 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 il this could
not be effected, was in favor of making the
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, I
was elected for which honor then felt,
and still feel, grateful to the people Of my
district. With these views, and feeling a
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 10 the
number Of poor children in each Of the dis
| tricts and parishes, it would be impossible to
so frame n Bill, making the poor children of
the State the basis Of distribution, without
such objections as would insure its defeat, /
therefore abandoned it. then offered Bill,
| Though some discouragements, however, to
| 30 alter and amend The Free School laws Of
iSonth 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 /
wasa member; when it came before the
Committee for consideration, l found that
was almost alone in reference to that
el:use of the Bill which proposed to make
the white population the basis Of distrbu-
ton. After discussing the question, was
assured the Committee would report against
tho Bill. Knowing how difficult il was to
pass Bill in the House. when reported a.
gainst by Committee, and, in all probabili-
ty, if this passed the House, il would be de.
clause, said to the Committee, that my dis
trict, together with many others, needed
more money than they would get, accord
to the present basis Of Distribution, II the
appropriation was not increased beyond
ffteon thousand dollars, and must have Il
or their poor children must 60 untaught, and
proposed to the Committee that If II would
,recommend an increase Of the appropriation
to scyeniy-four thousand four hundred dol
lars; (s74,4oo) l would consent, when the
Bill came bcfors the House again, to strike
out the clause making the white population
the basis of distribution. This proposition
wns agreed TO by the Committee, believe,
without dissenting voice. Before this
Bill came before the House again, tie gene
ral appropriation bill camo up for eonside-
ration, which propo 'cd the former Free
School appropriation, TO wit: thirty-seven
thousand two hundred dollars, (S37,2O
Col Ashmore, of Sumter, moved TO amend
that clause OF the Bill by striking on, $4,000
and inserting sevcnty-fve thousand, (S75,
0O0), suggested to him 10 so modify his
motion as 10 make il seventy-fo thousand
four hundred, rs a Bill from the Committe G
on Education proposing that amount would
come up in due time, he accepted my sug-
gcstioh. Mr.. d. F. Perry, of Grccnyille,
then submitted this amendment: provided
the said appropriation be apportloned among
the several districts and parishes in propor-
ton to the white population Of the State,
believing that an increase in the appropria-
ton was important, aud ne felt confident
the amendment was ofiared for the purpose,
and would have, it 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 Educa.
ton, to strike out from tho Bill that had
offered, this same proposition, for the pur.
pose Of further increasing the appropriation
and rendering its passage more certain, |
voted against pery's amendment, not that
was opposed to making the white popula.
ton of the State the basis of distribution
but for the reasons, in part, above stated.
have thus, Mr.. Editor, briefly, though
trust, satisfactorily, explained my course in
reference to this subject.
Respectfully, w. C. CAUTHEN.