Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-08-21
N1istellameuns &eadiug.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.
TRENCHANT LETTERS IN DEFENCE OF COL
COWARD.
From the News and Courier.

TO the Editor Of the Ne1cS ana courier:
The State Superintendent of education has
recently been criticised, first, in that he is
not constantly in his Office in Columbia ;
secondly, in that he is not constantly visit
ing different parts of the State. These crit
icisms cannot be reconciled, and it is diff
cult to know which to answer.
If it be the chief duty of the superinten-
dent to visit different sections of the State,
then it matters little where may be his
place of residence. The encouragement
does not reside in Columbia, and county
commissioners and school commissioners
for the most part do not live at their respect
i've county seats yet they are not subjected
to criticism. So, a large proportion of the
routine business and correspondence of the
superintendent can be carried on without
requiring his presence in Columbia. He
nevertheless makes periodical visits to the
Capital, and can always be summoned there
by telegraph in few hours; and scarcely a
day ever passes in which he is not in some
way engaged in the duties of his office.
But he must visit every county in the
State. How often and in what way? There
are 1863 schools in South Carolina. Allow
ing one day and one dollars expense Tor
each school, the superintendent in visiting
them would consume nine years and expend
$3,269 for travelling expenses alone. lie is
evidently not expected then to visit each
school in the State.
There are thirty-four counties in South
Carolina. It has been intimated that the
State allows unlimited travelling expenses
for visiting these. This is utterly erroneous.
The sum Of $3.50 is appropriated for the ex-
peuses of the superintendent and the eX-
penses of the State board of examiners,
which meets at least twice a year, at cost
of not less than S75. The superintendent
cannot count on more than s275, or about
SS for each county. Whatever the law con-
templates, the Legislature evidently does
not expect very exhaustive tour OF lnspec'
ton.
But it is charged that the superintendent
does not visit the counties, and on this
charge is based the chief complaint. YET a,
between the 1st of last January and the
time of the appearance Of the article in the
Temperance Worker, in July, the superinten-
dent had visited, officially, seventeen coun-
ties, namely: Hampton, Lexington, Rich
land, Fairfield, York, Chester, Sumter, Ma
rion, Darlington, Marlboro, Georgetown
Berkeley, Charleston, Beaufort, Union.
Spartanburg, Newberry and Greenville
In some he had made "public addresses, in
Others he had had personal communication
with school officials as required by law
in all he had endeavored tOawaken interest
in education. This extended tour was part
of purpose to visit as nearly as possible al!
the counties before the close OF the fiscal
year. Yet he is criticised for mot visiting
counties"
It is impossible for the State Superinten'
dent to call public meetings. This is the
duty of local officers. But he is ever ready
to address them, when they do not conflict
as is very frequently the case. The inclem'
ent weather of winter often prevents meet
ings. The hard work of the spring and au,
tumn is also an obstacle The season o1
public meetings is short. Ifthe superinten'
dent map out a tour he has no money to adj
yertise it thoroughly, but is compelled to
RELY on the charity of county newspapers to
give notice. The above disposes of the
charge as to the superintendent not visiting
the counties.
Nor have the schools languished, as is
charged under the administration of the
present superintendent. Here are the facts
Number Of schools in 1872, 3,183; in 1928,
3,269-increase S6. Enrolment of pupils
1872, t46,974; in 1928, 3,095-increase
27.I21. Increase in schoolhouses 104; in the
number of teachers 81. During the past year
a graded school system has been established
in Columbia a graded school has been es-
tablished in Brunson, while Spartanburg
is now agitating similar educational adj
vance.
The standard of examination for teachers
certificates has been notably raised, and
applicants are now required to stand an ex-
animation in the theory and practice OF
teaching. ,-
In order to secure more efficient super
vision of schools an allowance, of $lOO for
travelling expenses has been added to the
paw of each county school commissioner.
The State superintendent of education has
secured also the passage of an Act permit
ting an appropriation of 5000 out of the
county school fund for the holding of county
institutes. Several have already been held
with satisfactory results.
The State Normal Institutes have been
continued. During the past year some un-
fortunate discussion of the educational prob
lem has arisen, but for this the superintend.
ent is not responsible. 1t cannot be denied
that he manifested alacrity, boldness and
ability in defending his position, and he
was doubtless instrumental in stemming
the tide of hostility to public schools. The
superintendent has no assistant in his office
save his efficient clerk.
A careful survey of the facts will convince
any candid mind that the schools are not
retrograding, that the superintendent has
been Jealous and able, that he has already
visited more than half the counties in six
months, and that he has inaugurated sever
al important measures in the line of educa-
tional progress. Much of the criticism that
has been heard must have come from igno-
rance of the facts.