The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-12-05


The present school system was organised b
The passage Of an Act entitled "An Act to alte
and amend the school law of South Carolina,
| passed at the regular session of 1877.
This system though somewhat defective, wa
the best that could have been then devised, ant
1t has produced good fruit It's defects are of ,
character which, perhaps, at this time canno
be remedied on account Of our peculiar condi
ton.
perfect school system would be one which
by its own machinery, would bring into the
school room all the youths of the State between
the proper ages and subject them for the create
part of the year to tie tuition Of thoroughly
competent and professional teachers competent
to instruct and discipline the mind as we'll as
develop and discipline the character. This last
being, in my judgment, as, important il not
more important, than the first.
The present system provides no special mcdc
of furnishing the State with the class Of teach
crs suggested. The different Boards authorized
to license teachers are dependent upon those who
apply--many of them entering the work as q
mere Temporary business and for. present sup
porSs The examinations atenecesSNrily TO some
.estsnt snpsgfcial. md cannot RI fully into
qdanHcaffons OF 'capaSity yNiehfxt6g
and charactcr-required on the part of those
into whose hands the educational interests Of the
young of the State are entrusted. Iknow no
mode of remedying this defect except the estab-
lishment Of one or moro normal schools to pre-
pare and fit teachers for this important work
II may be on account of our depressed condition
that the State is not yet prepared to undertake
n scheme of this sort and establish il on q firm
basis; but the whole school system depends in
n great measure fer complete success upon the
character of the teachers employed, and we will
be compelled, ultimately, to adopt some better
mode than is now in existence to meet this de-
mand.
The other defect referred to, to wit, the short
period during which the schools nre kept open, is
due not so much to the system rs to the fact of
deficiency in the sum appropriated for schoolpur-
poses.
The schools are kept open to the full extent of
the means appropriated, and, through the ener'
gy and most earnest efforts Of the State SCI per-
intendent, arc doing all the good that can possi-
bly, be accomplished with the limited means pro-
videi; ard until the State is prepared to enlarge
its appropriation, either through State or local
taxation, this evil must continue, unless in the
meantime private efforts can be combined in
some way with public mid TO continue the schools
after the public funds are exhausted.
This matter of public education. howcvor, is
of the very highest Importance and requires the
maturest consideration and in a government
like ours, resting it docs upon universal suf-
frage, it is indeed the question Of questions.
The time is coming, and is rapidly approach
ing, when public sentiment will not only approve
but demand. that education in all its grades
higher and lower, shall be free to ALL without
mo ney and without price. If had The power
| would hasten the arrival of that time and
would then rejoice in the consciousness that l
had borne some humble part in work than
which no greater can mark the history of any
people. But you arc far more competent than
myself to deal with This great subject, and into
your hands commit it. commenting to your
consideration the very able report Of the Super
intenlcnt with The valuble facts.and suggestions
contained therein.
1t will bc seen that this report furnishes
much important and interesting information
showing the growth and improvement Of the
school system The number of pupils attending
tho public schools during the last year was l22,-
463 of this number 5S, ,3GS were whites and
Ga ,O93 colored. This is probably the largest
number of pupils that has attended the public
schools IN any one year.
The improvement in tho schools for the col
ored race has been marked it is worthy of note
that since 1876 the average increase of atten-
dance Of colorcd pupils has been more than 45
per cent. gcatcr than under the Republican adj
minisratuns. Four of the Counties, il appears
had not made returns Of the school fund collcc-
ted when the report of the Superintendent of
Education was submitted, but enough is known
TO warrant the assertion that the school fund for
the fiscal year 1879 was greater than for any
preceding year.
The expenditures have been kept within the
receipts and the general management Of the
school fund deserves especial commcndation.-
The heavy load of debt which was left by the
school officers under the Republican administra-
tions has embarrassed greatly the working OF
this department, and the shortncSs of the school
session Is due in some measure TO this cause.
would earnestly recommend some legislation
which will secure to teachers in the public
schools the prompt payment of their salaries.
The difficulties with which teachers have to con-
tend because of delay in this matter are fully
explained in the report Of the superintendent
of Education. II will not be possible to retain
competent teachers if we do not make provision
for paying them promptly for their services
MILITIA.
The condition Of this department Of public
service will be found fully set forth in the re-
port Of the Adjutant and Inspector General
This officer has been most untiring in his efforts
TO place the militia Of the State upon a proper
footing, and the result of these efforts will be
seen in his report.
The militia has been surrounded and cmLar-
rassed with many difficulties, not the least Of
which is the scany support given it by the Leg
islature. Notwithstanding this, splendid nu-
clcus has been organized, which, if encouraged
could be easily extended TO meet all the ncces
sites of the State in this department; but if it
fails in the future, rs it has in the past, TO meet
that cordial encouragement from the General
Assembly which the system demands, il is idle
to expect the establishment and continuance of
a well. organized militia, such would do cred.
it to the State and be prepared for my cmcrgen-
cy that might arise. The spirit, patriotism and
State pride OF tho young men Of the State stand
ready TO respond to any demand upon them to
build up this system and make it an honor to
South Carolina. But they cannot do this nj their
own expense. They need arms and suitable
equipments; let these be furnished and they
will 10 the rest The report of the AIjutant
and Inspector General, however, will present the
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