The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-06-22
THE PUBLIC j SCHOOLS.

Ine customary meetings. III Iue several
townships for the purpose of levying local
school taxes will take place on Saturday
next, oath inst, as provided by law. 1t
is the duty and interestof every taxpayer
to attend these meetings, and to inquire
into the necessity for whatever tax may
be proposed. The taxpayers of every
school district must regulate this matter
for themselves, and it would be proper.
for the local school trustees, who are best
informed as to the wants of their respec-
tive territories, to make an exhibit of the
probable amount needed for the mainte-l
nance OF schools already established and
for the location of others where they deem
advisable. It is very evident that the
condition of our people will not allow
any useless taxation or extrayagant 'e1-
penditure of money even for the support
of public schools. The indications are
that the levy for State purposes next year
will equal and probably exceed the levy
for the past year, and the Deficiencies will
only add to the burdens imposed upon
the property-holding class of our citizens.
In view of these facts, the local taxes
ought to be made light as possible, with
out injurriously affecting the needs of the
school system. We are not disposed to
advise any, churlish action in regard to
the support of the public schools. As a
friend to the education of the masses, we
would earnestly desire that the present
school system be made efficient end
strong, so that the rising generation may
receive benefit and advantage therefrom.
But there are other interests which de-
mand consideration, and our people
should carefully deliberate the whole
question, and adjust their taxation in
such manner as will preserve the eff
cheney of the schools and meet the. de-
mands of the times for rigid economy in
expenditures of public moneys.
An important duty devolving upon the
people at these meetings is the location
of schools for the coming year, which
should not be neglected. The multipi-
cation of schools is not advantageous in
any sense, and it is far better to restrict
the number 10 the actual needs of the
school districts, instead of allowing the
location to be made wherever the fancy
or convenience ofteachers might suggest.
BY limiting the number of schools, the
local trustees can make contracts with
teachers to I'LL up longer time for the
money allotted to their districts, and
secure the maintenance of the schools for
longer period than can be done other
wise. The more schools located in any
district the sooner the money is ex-
hausted, and the less efficient is the In
struction where the children are kept for
only small portion of the year under
the charge of competent teachers. Be-
sides, the limitation must work advan-
tageously in another respect, which is to
secure the best talent and energies of
teachers, who are assured of employment
for definite period, and not dependent
upon the contingency that additional
schools will deprive them of the support
calculated upon at the outset. The most
efficient teachers cannot afford to subject
themselves to the caprice of uncertain
circumstances, and to secure the services
of the most competent and deserving
persons, it should be the aim of the
people and the trustees to make arrange
ments with due regard to this end.
In conclusion, we would again urge
full attendance at the township meetings
on next Saturday, and that the utmost
caution and prudence be exercised in
this important matter. All persons who
pay taxes are deeply interested in the
levy which may be made, and the subject
of education among the masses is one of
the most important which can be presen-
ted to our people. Every good citizen
must perceive the necessity for attending
these meetings, and aiding in giving
direction to its deliberations. A failure
to attend will not excuse any one from
the responsibility for unwise and hasty
action, nor lessen the burdens of an i'm
provident and unnecessary taxation.
Mr.. G. T. Scott, of Newberry, died
on. Wednesday morning last after long
and painful illness, in the 69th year OF
his age. He was a native of Maryland,
i Il,