Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg Court House [S.C.]) 1877-1881, 1881-03-24

POPULAR EDUCATION.

IL ~ encouraging 10 nOtc That the
subject Of popular education is at
tracing the attention Of the press
and of the people.
The Aiken Journal ard Pcricu
speaks very thoughtfully and intclli-
gently upon the subject Its cdi-
torial shows a thorough appreciation
OF the Importance of the education
of the masses; but we think it makes
one mistake. Impressed with the
inadcquacy ofthc State fund to make
the public school system effective,
the editor Of the Journal and Rcric,c
says. abolish the present system,
swept out Of existence and let us
keep the two mills in our pockets, or
levy 4 sufficient tax to meet the
requirements Of a thorough system
which will be an honor TO our State
and 4 benefit to our pcop'c"
Now VIC do not think that this al
t,rnativo is presented to u.s. We
agree that the State fund is in
sufficient, but We do not argue from
this that it is necessary either to
abolish the system, or for the State
10 auGmcn, the iuni. 1t is doubtful
If Ike safe si.u;;... levy any higher
taxi iic' present cooperative con
dition. There is DO cause for dcs-
pair because our public school svs-
tom is not what it ought to be. 1t
has improved vastly during Demo
cratic rule. and it will continue to
improve. if the subject is agtatcd.
The State has laid the foundation of
tn" educational system, and it is only
necessary for communities to build
upon il. The Ncws und Courier has
suggested onG1mportant plan of i'm
proving the system. and that is by
local taxation. This has been tried
successfully in many Of our towns,
III which excellent public schools
have been established. In Winusboro'
and Chester, especially, has it been
successful. These schools are SUP
ported by tho State two mill and poll
tax, augmented by :: local tax Of II
mills, al act having first been pass
eel through the Legislature giving the
people OF these towns tn! privilege,
at public meeting, of lcvying this
extra tax for educational purposes,
or not, rs they pleased. The old
Mt Zion Institute at Winnsboro' is
under the charge Of Il. Means Davis,
IN able educator, who being also
allowed to teach the classics and
other branches not included in the
public school course, gives the addi-
ional advantage Ola classical school
1T which a thorough business or col
lcgiatc course can he obtained. In
this way the standard Of education is
elevated. and the public school is
made popular.
But while this will do for the towns
and cities, VIC have q plan to suggest
for the country. The local tax svs-
lem only suits populous communi-
ties. But what is to he cone with
he sparscly populated country? We
answer, let the co operative plan
work here. Let the patrons cooper
ate with the State and keep up good
schools. Utilize the Sta c fund hv
running the schools upon il as long
as this fund lasts, and then, when it
is exhausted, Let there he no break in
the school, but let the patrons i'm
mcdiatc!y take up tho burden and
carry it ON. ii is in this way that we
will make use Of our taxes to cdu-
cate our children, and no other The
public school system could he made
perfect, if we would cnly CO. operate.
We wont co operate, and then we
abuse the whole system for our fail
nrc to utilize what we have. Let rs
cNalninc this subject in the light of
its imporia''' an, Of the blessing
wkiv" il d.. rom rs ,,:npcg
AT sG'''H4t tstia.
rU!t 50! R,>nLf.