The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-12-01

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
1861, white 46,444, colorvd ~6S9S2-total lo2. sse
1878. white A:lls. colorsd 81, l2l-total 1929. In
eresss 1888; 1873 ~. white os,S6s, colored 64,O95-
total l22, 4S3, increase 6,224 1898 white g., 2ls, col
orud 72yS"8-totxi l34, or. increase ii, 6v9. Iolai IN
crease since 1876 u, 8l.67s.
SCHOOL FUND.
1901, slss.852so; ls77.7s. tsl6,lsz.lO; 1851,
es3l, U4s.sN; 1899 (estima,edD ta5l. +la.5U.
tional amendment relative " the school tax went inl
operation. Full REPORTS have not yet been receive
from 81! the COUNTIES 10 regard ~ the school fluid f.
the last year, but the estimate given above 10 derive
from figures carefully compiled IN the otics uf ,h
comptroller. genera, aud 10 believed " ts very nuarl
accurate.
Tho report Of the president Of Clanin U~niversit,
which 10 contained In The report u the supxrintender
OF education, shows that that institution Is in a hour
ishiny condition, and IL sfording each year increase
facilities for the hi: her ~eIluca,iun Or the culored rae,
The average Of the school Sessions for the last ye,
was three and one- half months, q slight increase owe
tl- sessions Of tho three preceding years. In AndcI
son county the sessions lasted six month"; and In min
other counties the average length Of the sessions WI
from four 10 hvs months. The s~hortness Of the ssl
ure u the faet that o considerable portion Of the cui
rent ssllool fund had been diverted by authority Of th
Legislature to pay claims incurred before the Demo
cratic party came into pOxer. The whole amount
these claims, which have been reported to the superir
tendent Of education, IL teo9, s4O.6d.
The report Of the superintendent OF education give
interesting Information. showing the many improve
u,ents 10 the public school system which have bee
made In the last four years. l would commend Z
Jour favorable consideration tho recommendation !
the report for the further improvement and develop
ment Of the public schools. The success Of the Nor
NAL Institu {, held At Spsrtanburg during the mont
OF August wss very gratifying. The Clafin Univer
sity has . we'll organized Normal department for colo,
ed eschers, INT tile Normal Institute gave othe whit
teachers The first opportunity afforded them for speciu
training. The meeting of this Institute forms an er
iu the history Of educational progress 10 ibis etats
One hundred and ninrty.seven teachers attended, an,
they showed 3 comm-ndable desire 70 avail themselve
Of The great bentaus Of the Institute. They volup
tarily, and ut their own expense, gave a month VI theI
vacation season to study and 70 the work of self.im
provement. TIE praiseworthy spirit thus manifesto,
should be encourage BY the Lrgisl.ture. The full an'
able report Of the d sunguished gentleman who wa
the principal Of ,he I.slitute gives much interesting
informal on 40 to the work accomplished, and show
the Importance ofoontinuiugit. Experience in Europ'
and In this C. un.ry has demonstrated the ~neeessit,
fur spt ciai training schu@ls for teachers. Until thi
State eau found o ;."rnisl Scbool. much good can b.
accomplished by The holding Of Institutes during tn
Summed MOI, 10
THE sr.c-i... -aent AZ rtrc..,9n asks the authority