Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-02-20
For the Advertiser.
DuhIic SchonIe

Being graduate of the District School
Of New England, I was naturally pleased
to read in the late Message Of the Gov
ernor of South Carolina the following
paragraph:
"An excellentsystemo of public schools,
modelled upon that of New England
the land of the school -house-has been
thoroughly organized in this State, and
the facilities for free education, as. de-
signed by the Constitution, are now af-
forded our people"
The more prominent features of the
New England system of Common Schools,
so far as the district is concerned, will be
presented by the following outline.
The citizens of township, in annual
meeting assembled, divide the territory
thereof into, say half dozen, more or
less, School Districts, as will best accom-
modate the inhabitants of the several
neighborhoods, and authorize certain
residents to call meeting of the legal
voters residing within the limits of the
district. Thus "set off," each district
becomes body corporate, under law
of the State, with tho necessary legisla-
tive and executive powers for the man.
agement of school affairs. At meetings
duly warned the electors appoint a treas
urer, collector, and.a committee, and as
sess the amount of money necessary to
defray the expenses of the schools of the
district, on the "grand list" of all the
inhabitants of the district. This money
is collected and disbursed by officers Of
their own election. In some cases, how
ever, these districts are entitled to small
dividend from the State school fund, de-
rived from the sale of certain lands re-
served in each township by the original
proprietor's grant," The school COM
mittee are charged with the care of school
houses, the general management of the
school, the hireing of teachers, sc. All
of which duties, as well us those Of the
other officials, are performed gratuitous
ly, with the understanding that those re-
sponsibilities shall be assumed by, or
rather be devolvd upon, the different
members of the district in rotation.
Hence, so far as school interests are
concerned, each district is an indepen.
dent municipalities pure democracy.
The people meet in council, discuss the
important questions which pertain to the
education of their own children, and
those OF every family in the district, and
| adopt such measures as shall secure
| the most economical administration OF
its educational affairs. II theSchool house
needs repairs. ii n :lcw one is required,
many men of many minds express
;hcir views with perfect freedom, and
such course rs The majority decide on
is adopted. and the whole wealth of the
district is assessed and collected to foot
I the bills incurred.
Now, Messrs. Editors, the late procla,
nation published in your columns, by
the County Commissioner Of Schools, in
which he appoints, or nominates, three
School Commissioners in each township
or "school district" of the county, with.
out any action on the par. of the people
of these townships, excites my fears that
if Governor Moses is correct in the state
ment have quoted from his message
those who did the .moddling' referred
to were rather unsuccessful in their at
tempt to copy the New England system
of public schools.
Take the election of the School Com
nittee from the legal voters of the sehoo
district of New England, and place theil
appointment in the hands OF some higl
official, domiciled in the Shire" o.
"Court House" of the County, and wha
would there be left of the New England
system?