The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-01-16
Educational Matters.

Educational Matters.
The fourth annual report of the State Super
intendento of Education, Hon. Justus &. Jillson,
has been printed, and will be transmitted to
the General Assembly within few days. Its
very full and elaborate in the statement of
matters pertaining to the educational system OF
this State, and the details of the transactions
of the Offices of the State Superintendent and
his subordinates.
The total scholastic population for the year
1871, as given by the revised returns OF County
School Commissioners, is 209, ,375-S4, ,204 of
which are white and 1857 colored, or an in
crease of 12,197 over the number given by the
State census of 1869. Of this increase zoos
are given as white, and 10,189 as colored.-
These numbers comprise the children resident
in the State between the years of six and SIX
teen. Charleston county numbers 22,6O8, the
largest, and Pickens 1886, the least of any OF
the counties in the State. The total school at
tendance for the year 1872 is given at 1922,
an increase over the preceding year OF 1926,
Charleston county having the largest and
Georgetown the smallest school attendance.
The counties of Barnwell, Beaufort, Charles
ton, Colleton, Georgetown, Horny, Kershaw,
Lexington, Orangeburg and Williamsburg show
a decrease in attendance There have been
employed during the year 2,185 teachers, an
increase of 2S7 over the previous year; of this
number 1863 were males. The average month
ly wages has been, for male teachers, S32.55,
and S3l.25 for females-Anderson county pay
ing the least of any county. During the year
there has been an increase of 280 free common
schools, making the total number for the year
1919. Abbeville county reports the largest
number, III, and Georgetown the fewest Is.
Five months has been the average that the
free schools have been in session, Sumter coun-
ty alone averaging nine, the largest. There
are 1862 school districts in the State. There
have been 226 school houses erected during the
year, at cost of S11 1,505.50. The returns,
however, in this matter the Superintendent re-
ports as having been very incomplete, but the
number previously erected is stated to be l ,644,
valued at 1920, ,44S, which number includes
four brick houses in Charleston, valued at
100000.
School text books have been distributed to
every county in the State, excepting Clarendon
and Newberry, the latter having previously re-
ceived a good supply, and Clarendon having
made no reouisition for them under the amend
ed school law. The Superintendent states that
much dissatisfaction has arisen because of the
supply being wholly insufficient to meet the
demand. The conclusion is also arrived at that
the plan of furnishing books, especially fur.
nishing them free, is impractcable, and should
be discontinued. Seven teachers conventions
have been held during the year, three each in
Barnwell and Lexington counties and one in
Spartanburg.
The largest number of students attending the
University at any one time has been eighty
eight; the appropriations for the same
amounted to s37 $50, of which S10,0 900 was for
repairs; in addition to this, about $4,000 rents
have been collected. The Superintendent re-
ports the number of students rs very unsatis-
factory and urges its augmentation; also, sets
forth in an able manner the advantages of loca-
ton, the library and the qualifications of the
professors, and recommends special appropria..
tions amounting to $4,000, for the purchase OF
apparatus and the improvement of the library.
Of the institution for the education of the
deaf and dumb and the blind, much is said.
The attendance has averaged forty-two, up to
the time of closing on the 9th of June. There
was wa, for the support of the institution the sum
of sl3,l79, of which it is stated but $500 has
been received, the same having been sustained
on credit for the larger part of the time. Work
shops printing office and sewing rooms are
recommended, shoe shop now being in sue
cessful operation. An appropriation of $4,000
is recommended.
OF the State Orphan Asylum, it is stated, the
appropriation was $4,000, but the expendi-
lures have been in excess of this amount SS,-
O3O.27. There are 140 inmates, of which nine.
ty attend school, where all the elementary
branches are taught. -.
The Superintendent considers at length the
present condition and needs of the State, and
urges immediate improvement; reviews the
causes that impede the progress of education,
and considers the subjects of the poll tax,
teachers institutes, State normal schools, school
funds generally, etc., recommending to the AS
sembly, in conclusion, the broadest and most
liberal policy as the rule for action.-Da'ly