The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-07-07
Our Public Schools.

Friday last, the 30th day of June, wit
messed one OF the most melancholy sights
which Charleston has ever beheld. Three
thousand children were sent to their homes
and denied the benefits oi.Pnblic School in
struction because Of an alleged want o.
means with which to pay their teachers.
| Now we have some sober words to say to
the people, but more especially to the color
ed people, who are directly responsible for
the consequences that have fallen upon US;
for it certainly cannot be said Of the white
citizens that they have ever made the mis-
take of entrusting large sums Of money to
the keeping OF doubtful or irresponsible men.
The large sum OF $500, 900 has been collected
in Charleston County alone, within the last
three months, and $50, 900 have been ap-
propriated by the Legislature for the educa-
tion OF the masses. These amounts have
been wasted, misspent, misapplied, or stoleE.
Now the money collected from the tax
paying citizens when placed in the Treasury
Of the State or City, becomes the property Of
the people-the property Of the rich and the
poor-oi the black and the white alike. But
when the money is wasted, misspent, mis-
applied, or appropriated by the officer in
charge of it, to his own private uses, the
poor must Of course suffer most. Every
child sent home from school will convey to
its parents, in;words far stronger than ours,
the announcement OF the public outrage that
hes been perpetrated.
The white people as class fortunately
for them) are more or lesR able to send their
children 10 pay schools; but it is not SO with
the colored people. Mostly poor, and,liVing
from hand to mouth their children must so
without any instruction at all. Now how
has this state Of things been brought asout?
The answer is plain: Men devoid alike OF
honor and common honesty, are put into
places Of honor and trust Formerly, none
but men of the highest character could ob-
tain m Office OF trust or emolument, and
although OF unquestioned integrity, they
were required to give the hea7iest bonds for
the faithful discharge OF their duties. But
how is it now9 Mere adventurers, men who
have 'lefs their country for their country's
'good," are placed iu positions where sums
Of money that they are scarcely able to count
are at their mercy. And whose fault is
this? We answer, the fault OF the colored
voter. Hear what Mr.. Greeley says on this
very subject: "The colored people have
ssproyed themselves unworthy of the ballot.
"They have brought disgrace upon our par
sty by the election of harpies, adventures
'.aud acoundrels to office"
Now we say to the colored people in all
calmness and friendship, "Let the dead
.s.Past' bury its dead" and let us all en-
deaEor to secure in the future the services Of
men OF recognized virtue and integrity, men
who will not plunder our treasury, who will
not buy fast horses and keep up expensive
establishments with the money which was
appropriated to teach our children how to
read and write.
But, how are the schools to be reopened?
The Constitution of the State guarantees the
right OF the people to assemble and petition
for o redress OF their grievances: Meet,
therefore, en- masse, fellow-citizens, white
and coloTed, rich and poor, in your different
wards, and demand from the party ia power
the instant dismissal Of all delinquent OIL
GERS. Make them disgorge the last dollar
OF their ill-gotten gains. Purify the political
atmosphere, and give healthy tone to every
department OF government-both State and
Municipal The Public Schools must be re-
opened.