The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1876-02-02
Schools In. South Gai,5liua.

niS returns or the County SChOUI
Commissioners,. there is a scholastic
Population in this State of ass, ,2ea.
Cf this population, 81, ,566 are white
atid lB3,BD5: are eolored. The State
cetistts giyes scholastic population
Of only 2fb,sBB. OF this glarins
discrepancy no:explanationsiso offered.
1t arises probably from, the imperfect
maaher ih which the. returns were
gathered ahd probably from anoth-
er Gauss. he
The schoMBtic ago fB from six to-
sixteen years, Inclusive, and beyond
these limits ns clhh Is entitled to-
the benefits OF free educationI
There is, therefofS hh inducement
offered to parents to h1isrepresent
Che ages of their children, when
making returns to the School Com
missionors, that docs not exist in
making returns for tho general
cehs,ts. The Superintendent, in his
report, accepts thu returns shown
by tho scholastic cshs,,s, as the basis
tpoh which to mako his estimates
ehd froth which to deduce his in.
ferences.
Since the inauguration Of tho sya.
tenn in 1850 the number Of children
within the prescribed ago has in
creased 42,085, or upwards of twen-
ty-one per cont. The whole State IL
divided into four hundred and TWEEN
ty-eight school districts, each III
Charge Of three trustees appointed
by tlie Doatd Of Examiners of the
RESPECTIVE Counties. Last year
1880 schools were oponed, affordine
instruction to 47,O01 white and
58,964 colored children. There
were employed 1890 white inale, 786
white female, BS3 eolored male and
A0B colored female teachers. Tho
average monthly salary of male
teachers was $31 Ga, md of female
teachers $29 21. The average in
the City$!of Charleston was much
greater !; for males boing $121 66,
and for females 800 45.
The length of the session varied
greatly in different counties that
for Charleston City being ten
months, and for Horny County only
two months. The average session
throughout tho State was four
months and half. The total NUN.
Der of school buildings was 2,747, of
which the estimated value, from
very incomplete returns, was $313,-
2S9 10, showing an Increase in value
ovor tho previous year of $38.
486 35.
The total school revenue for the
year ending October 81, 1876, was
$4S9,542 rs. Tho State appropria
ion amounted to $4,000. The
net proceeds of the poll tax, with a
voting population Of about $4,000.
realized but 500, ,443 40. The local
district taxes realized S13O,721
and from other sources $54.378 16
were received. No local school
taxes were raised in Anderson,
Georgetown, Greenville. Lancaster,
Lexington, Pickcns, Oconee or
Union Counties. During tho year
ending June 80, 1876, $3.50 6S5 43
We're expended for teachers salaries,
and $6,859 43 for rent of school
houses. The returns of oxpendi-
lures arc Very incomplete. however,,
and do not embrace the months of
July, August, September and Octo-
Der.
The State is burdened with nm
enormous floating debt, contracted
ny the issue to teachers of pay Ger.
tificates, which have never been re-
deemed. Tho deficiencies reported
for the fiscal year ending October
81, 1872, amount to $134, 90G 36.';::for
the next year, $108 60, and for tho
year ending October 81, 1874,
$23,553 II. These amounts are
shown by registry of the claims,
and it is highly probable that the
deficiency is much greater, owing to
the failure to register by claim-hold.
ers. The deficiency for tho present
year. is not stated.
The Superintendent deems the
revenue now raised totally inade.
'qtiato to produce theresults Desired.
He estimates that n thorough sys.
tenn OF instruction for period Of
nine months in tho year would re
quire revenue of 5000, GOO while
for the session of six months pre-.
scribod by law 100000 would be
necessary.
Mr. Jillson very rightly concludes
that rs the State apportionment Of
two mills for schools realizes only
S240,000, the amount raised by local
taxation will DO measure of the
success of the system. It may also
DO remarked, en- passant, that the
local taxation will be proportionate
to the amount of benefit received by
the people. So soon as tho school
officials provo themselves competent,
honest and faithful in the discharge
Of their duties, thereby gaining the
confidence Of the masses, just 80
soon will there be marked improve
ment in the schools and o. large in
creaso in the revenue. But with the
present high rate Of taxation, the
people will hesitate before contribu-
ting voluntarily to tho support Of
IN institution which, capable of con-
ferring tho greatest blessings, is now,
Il X