The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-04-02
For tho anderson Mtelhgencer.
GreeleV Institute.

Mr.. EDITOR: On the 9th inst. had the
pleasure of witnessing the closing exercises OF
this institution of learning. The classes were
all examined by their worthy professor, Col.
W. S. Shaw, and it was gratifying to witness
the fine progress made by the colored children
of that institution. 1t is true they have not
advanced very far, but the beauty is, that un-
der their instructor, they understand the books
they have studied. They spell we'll, they are
we'll founded in the rudiments of geography,
and understand the first three rules in arith-
metic, to wit: addition, subtraction and null
tiplcation. The exercises lasted for several
hours, and the Col. preserved the best order
with his school during the whole time, which
was alike creditable to him and his school.
The exercises of this school, and the progress
made by the pupils, ignores the idea that this
class cannot be educated, and any who may
have doubts OH the subject would have been
convinced, had they attended the examination
in question. Col. Shaw is one of the few
competent white teachers, who has given his
services to this class of people, and it must be
gratifying to him. as it is to us, to see the rapid
advancements made by his pupils, for it must
be admitted that the interest of all, either in
State or communities, in all its departments,
are advanced by the education of the colored
people, and now that it is apparent, as Col
Shaw and his school has demonstrated, that
this people can be educated, If proper efforts
be made. Why is it then, that they are not
educated? The answer | think is two-fold !;
1st, The difficulty of obtaining competent
white teachers, and End, The want OF funds.
The latter cause, however, is no fault of the
fc1 nf 10 lnna
trustees no fault of the taxpayers, for they
have paid their taxes and there is now, as we
are informed, about $4,000 due the County,
which the County has paid, and which has
been lost in Columbia, and now not one dollar
can be obtained. How is this? Who is re-
sponsble? Where is the money? Who has
| it? What did they take it for?
IF this school could have been run siS
months longer, many of the pupils would by
that time. been able to teach second and third
class schools, but they cannot be taught Col
Shaw cannot give his time without money, and
the money is lost-to use polite word-anc
cannot be had. May God speed the day wher
such things shall no longer be known in oul
midst, and the school money no longer lost, tx
the injury of our whole people.
I was glad to see present at the close OF thl
school. our worthy School Commissioner I. T
Benson, Maj. John B. Moore Capt S. NJ. Peg(
and John A. Reeves, one of the local trustee
Of the School District, besides many of tn
parents and friends of the colored children
After the exercises of the school was over
short addresses were made by Maj. Moore
Capt. Benson, S. NJ. Pegg and Rev: Franz
Morris, colored, all of whom expressed regrets
that the school must come to close, for tn
want of funds, when there is so much none.
due the County for school purposes, if we couit
only obtain it. 1t is said the County will ge
nine thousand dollars, but it seems that hv
thousand is to be a total loss. How is it
The people demand shall they not hear?
The school was finally closed by the singing
of two sabbath school songs, in which tn
whole school took part, and the pupils thel
took leave of Col. Shaw, all giving his hand
good shake. NJ.