Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-12-03

the school population of the State had been
nearly reached, and that the increase in
this respect would in the absence of unfa-
vorable conditions, only keep pace with
the natural increase of population. This
indicates that the schools have been brought
within the reach of the people, and are
generally used by them. The average at
tendance of pupils for the school term shows
an increase of 1919, and has now reached
nearly SO per centum of the enrolment.
That this percentage should be so high
among a people mainly rural is highly en-
couraging, because it demonstrates that the
work of the schools has become more effec-
tive and better appreciated. There are,
however, two great barriers, which, until
removed, must limit advancement in fur
ther Improvement. One of these barriers is
the unsatisfactory way in which the teach
ers' salaries and other school expenses are
paid, in consequence of the failure to collect
at the proper time the taxes for the fiscal
year 1S76-77. The evils resulting from this
failure have seriously embarrassed the ad-
ministration of every department of the
State Government, but they fall with un-
mitigated severity upon the operations OF
the public schools. In the eight preceding
reports of the superintendent OF education
this matter has been urged on the attention
of the General Assembly, and in the present
report is again pressed with great earnest
ness. l heartily endorse the appeal of the
superintendent for prompt remedial meas
ures, and would recommend for your con-
sideration the propriety of levying, for the
fiscal year 1856, four mills and double
poll-tax for the support of the public schools;
one half the proceeds of which shall be ap-
piled to the expenses of the school year
1886, and the other half to the school
wear 1SS6-S7. This will at once place the
affairs of the schools upon strictly cash
paying basis, which can be hereafter main
tained by the levy prescribed by law.
The other barrier to progress arises from
the constitutional prescription as to the
mode of election and term of office Of the
superintendent of education and the coun-
ty school commissioners. This subject is
discussed at some length in the report, and
it is not necessary for me to do more than
say that I concur in the statements and
views therein given. The evil is so radical
and so prolific of harmful results as to justify
resort to constitutional amendment.
The specific recommendations of the su-
perintendent will, I trust, receive your care
full consideration.
THE INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF
THE DEAF AND DUMB AND BLIND.
The thirty y-seventh annual report of this
institution, with the letter of transmittal
of the board of commissioners, will be sub
mitted to you. The management OF this
institution, both as to it's finances and as to
character of the work accomplished, is a
ground of congratulation to the State. The
gentlemen composing the board of commits
sioners, majority of whom live in the i'm
mediate neighborhood of the institution,
have labored faithfully, and without pecu-
mary recompense, for the welfare of the
afflicted children committed to their care.
The report shows an enrolment during
the year of eighty-five pupils-a consldera-
BILE increase over that of the previous year.
The superintendent reports that the appro-
priations made for erecting and furnishing
the west wing, which completes the build
ing according to the original plan, nave
been sufficient, and no further sum is asked
for that purpose. A critical examination
of the financial report of the institution
will, feel sure, satisfy you that the appro-
priations confded to its board of commits
sioners are wisely and economically ex-
pended. The statistics show that in the
forty institutions of this kind in the United
States the average annual cost for each
pupil is 1925. The cost of maintenance OF
each pupil in this institution is about Sl55
a year.
The only unusual appropriations asked
for by the superintendent, and recommend
ed by the board of commissioners, are $500
for drainage and 81 200 for Il pipe organ.
The report shows plainly the necessity Tor
these appropriations. | recommend that
these amounts, with the sums asked for,
for support, repairs and insurance, he ap-
propriated.
CLAFLIN COLLEGE.
L .l nl IN
1869, is designed for the higher education
report of the president shows that its pres.
ent condition is highly satisfactory, and
that it is fulfilling we'll the purpose for
which it was established. The total en-
rollment for the last year was 405. The at
tendance for the present session is greater,
and the students are more advanced in age
and in scholarship than in any previous
year.
There are five distinct courses of study,
eleven teachers, and four superintendents OF
industrial departments. In addition to the
ordinary school duties, students are required
to work at least one hour day, either on
the farm, in the shops and about the build
ings, or in the boarding, laundry and sew
ing departments. Thus, while taught hab'
it's of industry, they are enabled to pay a
portion of their necessary expenses. Care
full attention is given to the health, habits
manners and morals of the students.
THE MILITARY ACADEMY.
The report of the board of visitors, to be
submitted to you, will give in detail, as re-
quired by law, the record of the operations
of this institution during the year.
The Academy now has four classes, tRe
full number provided for in the course OF
instruction, and during the coming year it
will send forth its first class of graduates
since its reorganization in October, 1882.
Three States besides our own are now rep
resented on the roll of cadets, and it may
reasonably he expected that considerable
accessions to the number of students will,
in future, be received by the admission OF
no institutions offering the peculiar advan.
tages afforded by the South Carolina Mill,
tary Academy.
The faculty of the Academy is complete
all of the professors having been selected
with special reference to their fitness for the
duties which they are required to discharge
A thorough acquaintance with its record
gained as student, and afterwards as one
of it's professors, justiies me in asserting
that the teaching force of the Academy was
never stronger or better prepared and equip
ped for its work than itnow is. TO the mil
itary discipline, which forms a valuable
agency in the moral and physical develop
ment OF youth, is added 4 course of study
specially designed to give students the ben
efits of technical training. 1t is not the aim
of the institution to enter the wider field:
occupied by the colleges in the State bu
the object kept steadily in view is to main
tain that high standard in the branche:
taught which shall fit its graduates to NEE
the constantly increasing demands of the
times for men trained and equipped for sci