The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-07-18
For the Times.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Mt JOY, July 7, IL

Mt JOY, July Z, 1879.
MIR. EDIToR PLEASE allow us q small space
in your columns TO lay before the public the
condition of the public Schools among the col
oreu people of this County.
In 1872 this County was employing large
number Of teachers for the education of the col
ored children ; this continued about three years,
since then tlie,spumber has been considerably
less for Il few causes, some of which are true,
others we cannot vouch for: -
]. Teachers had to devote all their time in
teaching and never received their pay Mt the
proper time-this is one of the worst evils
have to contend with nOw-ahd the larger num-
beI of them had to dispose of their claims
nj reduced rates, so they could not afford 10 la
bor for so small an amount.
,. Some Of the white teachers, employed TO
teach the colorcd children, were but little bet
ter qualified than the colUred teachers, and ,hc
Trustees and the Commissioner would say they
could not do any better, as the greater number
of cOlored teachers who made application were
not competent. e..
. The schools are opened at such seasons Of
the year that the teachers who are really compe-
tent are off ut schools and the children are en-
gagged on the farms.
4. The commissioner and trustees do not give
the colorcd schools proper attention. Now, in
relation to this sub ect, we would say that the
small amount paid and the neglect of paying off
the schOo! accounts, have been the causes ofmany
good teachers not coming into County and
teaching. They have great anxiety to como
to Union, and when they make enquiries con-
corning schools those who know.cannot say any
thing to encourage them. We have II large num-
Der OF young men and women vino are now able,
and many more arc becoming able, to give our
children just such instruction as they should
nave. and they arc always anxious to come
Spartanhurg is blessed with large number of
these young men and women. Last year there
were fourteen culorcd teachers who had been
nt.rhf
University, Charlotte, and Scotia Seminary,
&C, who taught Schools in Spartauburg Coun-
~, besides others from other Colleges and Semi
nnrles, and all of them first and second
grades Now, when Union becomes so she will
open her schools, pay her teachers at the proper
time, and give the right attention to her schools
she, too. can boast of such IL blessing. Then
the trustees would have no need to employ such
white teachers as make applications for colored
schools.
1t is certain we cannot now get white teachers
VINO VIII take the interest in teaching hat coorcd
teachers will. Ten ycal 5 ago we could, but that
time has passed for those who arc interested in
our welfare are beginning to think that we
ought to have teachers among ourselves, and
we have them, and rs soon Union County
makes the proper arrangement, they can be had.
If the schools would open about June or July,
anu the teachers could receive their pay II,
proper time, we would have no trouble in get
ting compctcat colurcd teachers; for at that
time they are out of school and can bc emploved
TO teach all the coiorc schools i'm our County
Now, about the attention. We know of n
school that has been in session seven years
The first two years we had one trustee who
would visit our schools, but since then we have
not had II single visit. If the trustees who are
now appointed will not visit our schools WHY
not appoint one c"lorci trustee in each school
district, to see after the cnlorcl schools? Tho
commissioners have never visited n colored
school IN linckncyvillc township since lS72.-
Shall we have better attention and better teach
crs ? 1t is for the managers Of the schools TO
say ny their actions. {. W. i.
&. II. J.