The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-08-01
COLUMBIA.
Tuesday Morning, August l, 1865.
Agricultural and Popular Educa-
tion.

State Agricultural Convention the
outline of scheme of popular educa-
ton, rs substitute for the miserable
one in practice at the time, Which re-
suited equally in the waste of mind
and money. Events have served to
confirm the writer in the convictions
that he then entertained. In fact,
events now render the scheme which
he then submitted more than ever the
necessity not only of South Carolina,
but OF all the. States Of the South. In
that day, til agricultural Society it
self was q subject Of ridicule, as, in
deed, were all societies and schemes
which contemplated the overthrow of
81 dull routine in the growth of new
ideas. The time seems have come
when dullness will nc. longer dare to
cover itself with the mantle of conscr-
vatism. We must try and SOW some
fresh ideas now, if ever, and we rc-
produce the preamble and resolutions
then submitted and to be found in the
proceedings of the State Agricultural
Convention. We may hereafter fol-
low these resolutions witlFa few illus
trative considerations, and vet. per
haps, they will suffice to go abroad as
they are. Our present experience OF
evil Will, perhaps, sufficiently show to
our planters, here and everywhere, the
many great benefits which must result
from the employment of such IL sys-
tenn, carried out faithfully by teachers
and overscers. We commend them to
the consideration of future legislation,
with a prayer to the goddess Themes
that she sends Us hereafter superior
order of representation from her
courts and chambers:
Whereas, in consequence of the
scattered condition of our settlements
throughout the country, the present
plan of our poor school education is
found inoperatiye in most instances,
and partial and unsatisfactory in all
those towns and cities alone excepted
where the number of pupils is suffi-
GENTLY great to justify the employ
ment of competent teachers:
Be it recommended to the General
Assembly. of the State, now in session,
that tract of land not to contain less
than 1,5O0 nor more than 5000 acres,
pfr.n1 orlxy
practicable, be procured in each of the
districts, with which the poor estab-
lishment of such district shall thence
forward be endowed; that on the said
tract of land suitable buildings shall
be erected for the reception and ac-
commodation of such number of
poor boys as, according to the census
Of the district, it shall be likely to con-
tain: that provision be made of all the
usual and necessary utensils for farm
culture as practised in said district;
that it be moderately stocked with
horses, cattle, sheep and all such other
animals as are found useful in such an
establishment; that, when this is done,
a teacher of known intelligence and
integrity be procured, who shall re-
ceive an adequate salary for the tuition
of all pupils who may be placed under
his care by the commissioners of the
said district; and that, for certain
periods in the day, and in certain
classes and divisions, to be hereafter
determined by the commissioners, he
shall have entire control of their
studies and their time; that at all other
periods the said pupils shall be placed
under the control OF competent in
tendanl or.manaSer, who shall direct
their labors and industry while pre-
pairing them as farmers and planters
for the proper performance OF such
duties in after life as may seem best to
correspond with their condition and
necessities; and that the commission
ers OF each district be empowered to
receive as lldented apprentices to the
poor school Of said district, on behalf
oil the State, all such boys the parent: