The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-11-10
The Public Schools.

A correspondent OF The Charleston Mercury
some statements made by Major Hugh
S. Thompson, in which he shows conclusively
to his own satisfaction that the Republicans
furnished annually about one-eighth more
days tuition than has been furnished under
Democratic rule. Big salaricsto teachers may
be the cause. Last year in one township in
this county a teacher, with a second grade GER
~tificate, taught about sixty scholars for sS n
month, while another teacher IN the same
township, the lucky owner OF a first grade
certificate, perhaps because he may have
been able to tell a little more about the trip
from Jericho to Confedrit Cross Roads by wa
ter, but who was as ignorant as his less fortu-
nate neighbor as to the proper management
OF children, taught about fifteen scholars and
received $40 q month for his services-taxes
paid by the people to he expended for the ed
ucation Of our children. In these instances,
We doubt not, II the trustees had been more
watchcul TO the interests Of the children, they
could have secured either q first grade or a
grade teacher for go a month. AS a
matter OF fact, did the trustees faithfully dis
their high and important duty 10 the
when they paid so high a price 10
teachers, which necess!tated the closing Of
The schools In three months, when they could
nave been kept open for six months, II the
had been paid a less salary3 The
money Is q sacred trust, and II
should not be thoughtlessly or carelessly
spent.
In due Difference to Major Thompson, the
very efficient Superintendent of Education,
we wonld say that we think his examination
questions, even II they were all correctly an
swered by applicants for certificates, would GO
very little toward proving the efficiency OF a
The fact that a man can name the
Presidents from Washington down to the
day. or can tell the name OF the ug-
mountain In America. ~certiflcs very little
as to his ability to control two dozen little
children, and to inspire In them q proper Of
fort for advancement. The examination Of a
teacher should embrace other points than his
literary or mathematical attainments.
In one community, the patrons OF the
school resolved TO board the teacher themsel-
YES and give the school 10 nc one who would
not teach the whole ten months for the
amount OF four months, pay. The position
was accepted by a lady who has given the
highest satisfaction in every way. She held
a second grade certificate on which she
drew SIS a month for four months-ll2.M
and has been teaching ever since
without further pay, except her board. She
has been teaching since February, and her
term Of ten months will expire during the
latter part OF the present month. II parents
in other communities would supplement the
salaries in this way they could keep their
schools open longer than has heretofore been
done.
We do not attach blame to anybody in ref
erence to this matter. 1t is a question upon
which there Is a diversity Of opinion. We
merely claim the right to express cur convic-
lions OF public policy. We accord the best in
t~entions to those who may differ from US In
opinion. In questions OF this kind there may
be, and always is, an honest difference OF
opinion.