The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-06-17
PUBLIC MEEII lgZGS IN THH SCHOOL
DISTRICTS
Important to All.

We direct attention to the fact that
the voters OF the various School Dis
tricts are by law required to meet on the
last Saturday of June in each year the
purpose of determining the course to be
pursued by them in reference to the
schools in their respective Townships
for the ensuing year. This weregard as
perhaps the most important meeting of
the year, and as one in whose delibera-
tions nil Of our citizens should take a
part. 1t is important for many reasons
not the least among them is, that it
has power to raise by taxation large
sums of money, and to spend the same
in the education of the boys and girls in
their various neighborhoods. We are
sorry to notice that the Clerks of the
various Boards of School Trustees seem
to be derelict in the publication of the
required NOTES.-THE only notice that
has been published, as far as we have
seen, has been by the Clerk of the Alb
beville Township. Let all of our citi-
zens attend these meetings and discuss
freely and impartially whatever per-
tains to the educational interests. The
Legislature has wisely ordered this meet
ing at time when the people are not
excited over the political elections, or in
advancing the success of party, or in
the promotion of friends, in order that
its deliberations might be free of any
party spirit, or any feeling in reference
to class, but that the good of all should
be alike considered. The true interests
of all are unit. We are in favor of ed~
ucation, and are willing to pay the high
est tax that the citizens of our township
may suggest, and will only ask that the
money he judiclously expended. Edu-
cation, we think, is our only hope for q
better future. But proper education
is not to be gained by paying illiterate
teachers high prices for their services.
Pay none extravagant wages, but pay a
uniform price to all, say s25 a month,
and let the parents of the children pay
the balance of the amount that may be
necessary to secure the services of high.
er grade teachers. This will divide the
money equally among those who are be-
ginners and those who are more ad-
vanced in education. BY paying some
teachers exorbitant wages they consume
the lions share, aud leave beginners
without an equal proportion of assist
ance from the Government. This looks
little like allowing the strong to take
from the weak. If there is one thing in
this Government more than another
that we have reason to congratulate our
selves in, it is in the improved condition
of our public schools within the last two
years. Many improper persons who
then held School Teachers Certificates
at high rates are now out of the busi-
ness entirely or are at work for much
smaller salary. Good teachers with
good moral character, can be obtained
in many instances, at the figures men,
toned above. Those whose services are
worth more can readily be paid an addi-
tional amount by those enjoying the
benefits of the school. .
Let the people nominate men to office,
who will deal fairly with all, and who
will not squander the money by paying
high salaries or in employing improper
teachcrs.-W.