Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-12-06

penSeS OF The SCdCe OONernuenG.
The report of the commissioners of tht
sinking fund contains important sugges
tions with regard to changes in the law
which are necessary to make perfect title
to the purchasers of forfeited lands.
EDUCATION.
The results of the work of the last year il
this important field are most gratifying. II
every part of the State is developing de
gree of interest in education plainly indi
cative of a prevailing sense of returning pros
perity among our people, and Of their prac
tical recognition of the principles upor
which true progress rests. All the schools
and institutions of learning within oul
borders, and especially those included ii
the educational system of the State, have
felt the influence of this awakened popular
interest.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The report of the superintendent of edu
cation shows that there were enrolled in the
public schools during the year "A, ,l57 white
and 9s,93S colored pupils, making a total O
173,095. This is an increase of 7,121 ovel
the large enrolment for the preceding year
From a comparison of this enrolment with
the data furnished by the census of 1880, i
appears that over 73 per cent. of the white
children and nearly 50 per cent. of the col
ored children of the State between the age:
Of six and sixteen years were in attendance
on the public schools. The average length
of the school session was four months. The
whole number of teachers employed was
3,494, of which 2,165 were white and l ,32s
were colored, an increase since the last re-
port of 81. The number of schools in oper
alton was 5, 1863, an increase Of sc.
The claims against the school fund
amounting in 1917 to $780, 9,940.66, being al
settled, the entire proceeds OF the poll tax
are now available for the support of the
schools. The report embraces interesting
statements of the work done in the State
Normal Institutes held during the month:
of July and August.
know from careful observation the val
liable influence which these institutes have
eXerted upon the educational interests o1
the State, and 1 cordially recommend the
appropriation for their continued support
/ desire to repeat what / have already
had occasion to say while occupying anoth.
er official position, that our public school
system must find it's full development by
means of local taxation for the support Of
the schools. In but few of the States of this
Union is the rate of State taxation for pub
lie schools as high as it is in South Carroll
ma /; in none is it higher. In those States
which have the best systems of public
schools the funds are raised chiefly by loca
taxation. Experience in this State, Wher
is we'll suited to the wants of our people
Each community knows bestits own needs
and it's citizens will take more interest in
schools established and supported by them
selves than in those maintained and con
trolled by any other authority. The neces
sity for local self-government is as great ir
the control of the educational as of politica
affairs. Whenever the power to levy loca
taxes for schools is conferred by the Genera
Assembly, it should be guarded by such re-
strictions as viii protect the rights of prop
erty and prevent unjust and burdensome
taxation. | refer to this matter not to rec
ommend any legislation, but because the
welfare of the State depends so much upon
tenn that deem it my duty to call to the
attention of the members of the General
Assembly the mode Of taxation which eX.
perience has shown will best promote the
efficiency of the public schools. The great
mass of the children of the State must de-
pend upon the public schools for education
and these schools cannot be maintained
without funds raised by taxation.
The need for good high schools is press
ing one, which becomes each year more ap
parent. Those communities which desire
to establish such schools should be permit
ted to do SO by supplementing the State
fund with local levies for schools.
The report of the superintendent of edu
cation contains important suggestions fol
promoting the efficiency of the public
school system.
CLAFLIN COLLEGE.
This institution, which is situated a.
Orangeburg, was founded in 1869, and il
designed for the higher education of colored
youths of both sexes. Since 1879 thirty grad
yates have received the diploma of the in
stitution. The president reports that be-
sides the graduates many students who pur
sued partial courses at the College are en-
gagged in teaching and in various industrial
pursuits. The services of the graduates are
much sought for in the public schools. The
courses of study include a classical and sci
entific course, such as is usually pursued III
colleges in this country, a normal school, 8
college preparatory department and gram
mar school. Attached to the institution i:
a farm of $50 acres, which is cultivated
chiefly by the labor of the students. Many
of the students support themselves by labor
on the farm, for which they are paid il
cash. A mechanical department has beer
added recently for the purpose of giving
practical instruction in industrial pursuits.
The enrolment of students for the las
wear was 424, of whom 30 were in the col
lcgiate department and II in the norma
schools. Under the judcious management
of the president the institution is steadily
enlarging the scope of its work and increas
ing its efficiency. 1t we'll deserves the con
tinued support of the State.
THE MILITARY ACADEMY.
The report of the board of visitors, which
will be submitted to you, will give full in
formation with regard to the work of the
first year since the reorganization OF this in
stitution. The enrolment on the 1st of Oc
tober last was 155 of this number, sixty
eight, being two from each county, are main
tanned wholly ut the expense of the State
In accordance with terms made before theil
admission, beneficiary cadets will be re-
quired for two years after their graduation tt
teach in the public schools of the county
from which they receive theirappointments
The beneficiary cadets are chosen by com
petitive examinations. Great care is taken
to select the benefciaries from deserving
youths who have not the means to meet the
expenses of their education.
The charge for pay cadets is $500 per an
num-this being The estimated cost to the IN
stitution of each cadet. This amount covers
all charges for clothing, tuition, subsistence
and medical attendance.
Beneficiary cadets must be residents o.
this State, but pay cadets are received from
any State.
The academic board now consists of a SUI
perntendent, three professors and three as
sistant professors.
Bydirection of the President of the United
States, an officer of the army has been de-
tailed as professor Of military science anc
tactics at the Academy.
The building has been thoroughly repair
ed and refitted and scientific apparatus sutf
~ Sc rs Tho f,v|