Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-12-06

rrraslng their means In such al rA,cmt us tU en-
able them 10 open their building, and make it
subserfc the purposes for which it was original
~ intended The means ut their disposal are
too limited at present t" carry this object into
effect, and during the prevalence OF The epldem-
c of the past season, they were forced to depend
anon private iibcraliy lu render it available for
Temporary period as hospital for tine sick.
Cilzclis from all parts Of the State contributed
to this object, but of course these recourccs
were Withdrawn after the violence of the disease
had suLsilcd. With the establishment of the
hospital, having lis adjuncts the benevolent as
socialions of the city, the horrors of these ia
tai cpidrmirs can be materially mitigated. re-
fer The papers for your consideration and the
exercise Of your judgement.
There appears to be some objection on the
part of our people 10 the operations Of the
Militia System of this State; aud, doubtless,
efforts will be made during the session essen.
tally to alter or abolish it. To say that it is
without defect, would be to claim for it Il merit
whicl, no institution possesses. But with my
official experience, and from the observation of
those who have taken IN interest in it for the
llsl lhlty years. AIN disposed to think it indis-
pcns.Llc for The preservation of the martial
spirit Of our people Nn one is wise enough 10
lorrsrc the necessity which may arise for the
exercise of these qualifications of the citizen
which the military organization is Intended to
cultivate lssllrs are pcmiing bearing great con-
sequences along with thcm aud every one WHO
examines the course of events must feel that ut
any moment may arise questions which will de-
maud am exhibition Of those qualities which have
hitherto given IN cnvable precedence TO the ci-
zen soldirry of this Commonwealth. recon-
mend that all matters connected with the militia
system be referred to Il board of competent Off
crrs, whose duty shall be, with ample time for
deliberate investigation, carefully 10 revise it,
and submit the result OF their labors TO you at
your rcxt session. Accompanying This docu-
nrrt is the report Of the efficient Adjutant and
Inspector General upon this subject.
The question of reform in the Free School
system las largely engaged the attention Of the
people during The past year. 1t has every where
been Discus ed, and The conviction is generally
established That radical charges are necessary in
our present plan of public instruction.
In my last annual message, ! expressed the
opinion that it would be premature TO adopt, ut
that time, any plan, that might be submitted for
your approval. 10 reconstruct the system; but
advised the appointment of Minister OF Public
instruction, aud subsequently Il Board to act IN
concert with him, by whose united labOrs i plan
complete and adequate can be digested for your
ultimate adoption. cannot give the reasons
for This recommendation in Il manner stronger
or more iurciL!c than by using the language OF
one whose ability all acknowledges:
".l.l, therefore, that would now press upon
you is. TO have public instruction erected INTO \
drplrtmc"t Of lic State Government. That is
Tie ii:.:t and an Indispensable step; and, until
that is done, there never can Gr Il plan. adequate
consistent. Successful.
"IFlat we first need is collection of the
facts irc;n which the data Of Il proper system
mav be drawn We must know the number U
children III the Stale, Of the agcs 1T whicl: chill.
trrn are usually sent to school, the kind ant
degree of education drmanded, the relative dis
, tances Of the residence Of parents, the points n
which school houses may be most conveniently
erected. the llu,librr Of buildings required, til,
number Of teachers, and tic salaries which dit
irreut localities make necessary 10 competent
support i'ac:s u this sUr, MUST constitute ll!t
groUGdwurk. In possession oi these, we may
iAcn proceed 20 compare different systems, adopt
i:,y lrom ailioNg them That Which seems TO bl
bc>' adapted to our own circumstances, or orlgl
naiinga new one, if all should prove unsatstac
tory. All, therefore. that in my Judgment tht
I-cgi,lliurc should undertake 1T present, is lc
%cqrirc this preliminary information, including
the accumulation of facts, the comparison
different CumEIon School sy:.c!!!S; and TIM