The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-09-14
FLAT ROCK, Aug. IA, 1855.

My Lear S.r l have given much con-
sideratiou TO the subject of improving pub
lie education in our State in connection with
the free schools, and it seems to me that if
some of us in the Legislature, representing
different sections, could digest some plan,
public opinion is ready TO carry it out. 1t
seems to me that the fundamental error of
most Of the schemes heretofore proposed has
been in attempting too much at once and
we should avoid this by laying foundations
and then raising the superstructure. II, in
stead Of attempting to educate at once eve
~ part of every district, we were to COM
mence with the most populous part of each,
and there establish good schools, we would
gradually extend the field of Improvement
from these centres. We would thus raise
up teachers for each neigborhood, who could
be employed in the mote sparse and desti-
tu4e neighborhoods. Suppose, for instance,
thete were good schools at Greenvile and
Spartanburg, at which every child within
the area of three miles could be taught.
Such schools would not only prove centres
Of light in each Of those Districts, but would
enable each of those villages to furnish
teachers for the whole, or part, of the year,
to every part of the District at cheaper
rates and with more certainty than when
teachers were drawn from a distance. The
benefits of such schools would become so
apparent that every portion of the District
which could combine for the same purpose
would soon follow the example.
In order to enable the schools to succeed,
think they should be common schools,
taking in rich and poor upon one common
basis. / would make them so good that
the rich would prefer them to any other
school, That this can be done, has been
fully demonstrated at the North, particularly
in the city Of New York. The plan I would
suggest would be, that each village, inclu-
ding the country within sufficient range
to attend shcoo, be permitted to tax the i1-
ha6'tant, to certain extent, annually, to
build school houses and to pay for the sup
port teachers; that the State furnish, say
one-third Of any sum so taxed for school
houses, and so much per scholar in proper
ton to the amount taxed on the village :;
that there be elected, in every such precinct,
a Board, to have charge Of the schools and
carry out the scheme, and that every child
in the precinct be free to enter the school
under regulations to be adopted; that, as
the State is to take part in the matter, the
Legislature elect Board of Education, who
shall prescribe the forms of the buildings
to be erected, and make general regulations
for the schools, and appoint Secretary to
20 round and see that these regulations are
complied with, and furnish proper informa-
ton for each local Board.
In connection with all this, would re-
quire the Board of Education to establish,
at Charleston or Columbia, Normal School,
for the education of teachers, so as to en-
sure supply for the schools, and put this
school under the charge of the State, as un-
der the Prussian system, each teacher edu-
Gated to be subject to strict examination,
and to be bound to serve for 80 many years
in the district schools after their education
has been completed.
Please consider this outline and write me
your views, and whether you think any such
scheme would be desirable or practicable.
Very truly, yours, G. g. MRMM1NaER.
Col. B. F. PERRY, Greenville, s. G..