The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-09-17
srArE OF cousEY aoRMaI,

We are glad to know that our views on
the State Normal are, in the main, en-.
dorsed by Mr.. Sale, the intelligent School
Commissioner of .Newberry County and
editor of the Newberry Herald and Neus.
He argues that there is necessity for
both State and County Normals. We
think he is wrong. The experience Of
the past Sew years has clearly demon
strated the fact that the State Normal
fails to reach that class Of teachers for
whom it was-intended when first brought
into existence. It has proven q shot
wide of the mark. Who attend the State
Normal9 Teachers in High Schools and
Academies. Were they the ones had in
view when our law.makers passed the
Act authorizing the State Normal? Ger
tainly not. The purpose of the law, if
we mistake not, is to improve the teach
ers in our public schools. We contend
that this class Of teachers can be reached
through the County Normal, and through
the County Normal only. At the An
derson County Normal, held under very
unfavorable circumstances, ne had %
teachers in attendance. There are 81
Counties in South. Carolina. Let every
County have its Normal Institute, and
put the average attendance as low as 40:
that would give in the State an attend
ance OF 1880, and out Of that number
there will be 1900 of that class for whose
special benefit the law was enacted, and
who certainly most need it. Mr.. Sale
proposes that the State Normal be located
in Columbia, be made permanent insti-
tuition, running about FIVE or six months
during the year. In our Judgment we
are not ready for that yet. Our public
school teachers, a very large majority of
them at least, are not able to spare that
much time during the year, and many of
them unable to pay their necessary ex-
penses in Columbia that long. Besides,
the railroad fare from the various points
to Columbia and return amounts to no
inconsiderable sum. South Carolina is
at this time too agitated over the State
3Uniyersity question to think for q mo-
ment about establishing 10 Columbia or
anywhere else State Normal Institute
of high order. Those teachers within
The borders of our State who want extern
siyely comprehensive Normal instruction
can better afford to go to another State.
for it than. South Carolina can afford to
furnish it them. s, ~
Better teachers are what we want
what ne must have. How can this end
be reached without an increase of the
taxi That is the question. We hold to
our position formerly taken: do away
with the State Normal entirely; increase
the appropriation for County Normals.
While ne can not endorse the position
taken BY Mr. Sale, we are, nevertheless,
glad that he,has expressed his opinions
50 freely, and hope that by our mutual
efforts Ne may induce some Of our solons
to shake the matter q little next Fall in
Columbia. .a
We like Mr.. Sales plan much, but
think it impracticable now. a we'll
conducted State Normal, centrally 10.
Gated; would be the means Of rapidly
disseminating the, principles Of scientific
teaching, but teachers are not yet in a
condition to avail themselves Of its bene.
fits. From our standpoint, the County
saSormal seems to be the safest, the surest
and most extensive in its grasp. Let the
subject beyentilated.
- -.