The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-12-03

FREE SCHOoLS.-Iho Free Schools are
doing more good than they have been al.
lowed credit for. Wherever educated psn.
tlemen of the country have generously in.
terested themselves in the subject, and with
commendable zeal and public spirit have
devoted portion OF their energies 10 tine
success Of the schools, the law has operated
well. AS a basis for practical system, re-.
garding the character of our population and
the geographical peculiarilies of the State,
have not been able to arrange one more
satisfactory. Let its provisions with some
amendment, be faithfully and judciously
executed, with consideration for those chief
ly interested, and it will discover itself TO
our community system at once available,
useful and creditable, inviting and reward.
ing the services of qualified teachers, a sup.
ply OF whom cannot be too early provided
for. The excellent public school which has
been organized in Charleston by the Com.
mlssoners OF ST. Philips and st. Michacls,
will very soon furnish number of Young
persons who, it may be hoped, will do
something towards Introducing into other
portions of the State, the benefits of the i'm.
proved system under which they have been
trained. | recommend tha, provision DO
made for the establishment, without DELAY,
OF one or more Normal Schools, at which
the promising pupils from the schools be-.
low may be further educated for the pur.
pose, and trained to the art Of teaching.
These are admirable institutions, and, If
well managed, cannot fail to send forth the
young people Of the State into the business
of life rs witnesses Of their usefulness. They
are eminently entitled TO the notice of be-
nevolent and public spirited citizens of
wealth, who may desire to render useful to
their kind, portion of the surplus means
with which they have been blessed. The
first Normal School in America was found.
ed on an offering Of $4,000, for the pur.
pose. by MIR. Dwight, 4 wealthy citizen Of
Massachusetts, 10 which the State added
$4,000, and the thing was soon accom-.
plshed. bave seen .!:at school in success.
iui operation, and freely give you my be.
!ief, that State which pretends 10 sustain
a general system Of public education should
not remain year without school of the
kind for the regular supply of competent
and accustomed teachers. In order TO add
effect to the system by furnishing the means
for seli-regulation, and By which may be
impaired to 1t equal usefulness in every
portion Of the State, recommend that the
several Boards of Commissioners of FREQ
Schools be authorized by law TO raise, by
assessment on the amount of general taxes
III their respective Election Districts, sum
oi money equal to that appropriated by the
State out of the public Treasury, to be ex-
pended and accounted for in like mani. er.
Whenever the funds can be raised for the
purpose, | think it would contribute to the
welfare Of the State TO establish also 4 Ma,
rine School, at the port of Charleston.
ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND Dunn AND
TIE BLIND.-l transmit the Report of the
Principal Of the Asylum for deaf mutes and
the blind. The public works there are in
progress, and | am happy TO have it in my
power, by aiding in the expenditure of the
public money, To contribute somewhat to
the liberal establishment of this high chan.
tv. Among the blind, as well As the deaf
and dumb, trades are beginning 10 occupy
the mind and the hands of pupils, thus As
surlng them of their ability TO be helpful,
and cultivating wholesome selfrespect
and cheerful industry. Soon will grow UP
a colony of pupils on tie lands of the State,
and society which will be independent
and thriving, by their various trades and
occupations. The Commissioners will see
to Its regulation in due time. These good
ci'izens have performed SO well the service
Of the State in this regard-so consistent
and disinterssted have been their labors-
so judcious their arrangements for the
benefit Of their charge, that have great
satisfaction in cooperating with thern ex.
otlicio. | recommend that they be invited
to embrace within the sphere of their super.
vision the public education under the Free
School laws; that they be authorized to or.
ganize and establish one or more Normal
Schools in each division of the State for the
preparation OF teachers, and TO introduce
and explain Improvements in the methods
OF instruction. They should be- allowed.
while on duty, during the recess of the
Legislature, the pay and mileage OF mem
bers. Hitherto they have received no com
pensation beyond that which arises from
The consciousness of rendering good service
to the State, and kind Offices TO the inter
estlng objects Of their care.
The De LA Howe School AT LEruE.-
During the last Summer, in making
military tour through the State, day was
devoted 10 the school ut Letho, in Abbevie
District founded by the will of DIR. John
DE La Howe, at the close of the last centu.
ry. He devises tho land on which ho resi-.
ded, with all his land adjacent, his library,
DC, &c, for the purposes Of keeping up the
farm and establishing n school for tho sup
port and education of twelve boys and
twelve girls, Of Abbeviie District, so rs TO
qualify them TO make intelligent and useful
farmers and farmers wives, and especially
recommends that the principles of ofchcnisfyy
be taught, so far as they are applicable to
practical agriculture aud domestic economy.
Thus 1t is, indeed, a valuable nucleus of
agricultural education, worthy of the con
'ileration and enlightened patronage of tho
General Assembly. 1t is the foundation of
a benevolent foreigner, whose remains are