The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-02-17
POPULAR EDUCATION.
FACTS AND FIGURES TO SHOW TIE EVIL
OF TIE SYSTEM.
Some Pertinent Thoughts OH the sub
icct-Are Free Schools Benefit:
-Cornp"riSOn of Two SEStcls.S.

JFron Speech Of Maj. Harry Ifammonc TO IN
Beech Einnd Funacrs' C7uJt
There is prevailing belief that the State
has within the last II years spent more money
on the education of her ctizrnS. and achieved
smaller results in that line than even before
been PROFOUNDLY engaged in the practical sru
tion of the most pernicNing social ami indus
trial problems. and have a> a matter OF lact
expanded Il minimum OF tho'i%ht.tne on on
real rrOd ucing power on education. We
have been content to cory cdncatloHal metz
ods in vogue clSewhcrc-ncthodS SUSTAINED
by Il wide -m0uthed cant-hut when, IN 'h;
cyes of clear-headcd mcn. such rs Adams, I"
the Quincy school board, anu other, arc mere
tetu>i0nS that must forever remain barren "l
results \ stern chase Is q lonE chase, so ION.
in this case that We can never nope TO over
take, much less to rival. the auVanceu com
iuunitirS we are pursuing With our SerElic l!il'
itations We must state this problem for our
selves, and by our Cwn efforts rcacha q S"lution
OF 1t suitable to the condition OF things Win
rs. .
The State is generously giving more than
rents all concern and responsibility In secnr-
ing for their children IN" most elementary IN
Struction in tn" three RS. 1t is well 10 llNaue
thr sacred precincts of the family in TINS way,
regardless Of the risk OF bunting the natui;t!
and proper anxiety Of parents for the care OF
their children? Let the f,cts in the history
of the State answer. In l>?o me expenditure IG
tor education was reckOned at 10 rrntSa heau
and colored. IN that year for every dollar APP
proprated for education by the State govern,
ment, private Individuals came forward ana
furnished of their own means Sab. In 1850
there is q totally different state OF affairs. The
government appropriations Tor education are
how some seven times larger man tneI were
in 1850: nevertheless the Total expenditures
for education have fallen to G3 cents Il neau Oh
the population, and worse Still wherc tne gov
crnlnent now bcs,owS one dollar private cltl-
ZrnS nov give only 30 cents, IN place OF the
81
in no uncertain terms that where the larscSseS
of the State have increased the educ;ltlonal
fund has diminished, whether we regard popu-
iatiOn or wealth Nor We are richer now that,
we were in lS.O,, while the interest shown and
the amount given by private clllzcilS mas i;tii-
cn OF IN Il still greater degree. II TINS &c pro
mole education or to smother II: ana Wh!t
lave we got TO show tor the millions thc Sl!te
has disburSed in free schools in the last six
teen or Seveni cen years. l have no tcSt!llloll!
to offer nor do know where any Is 10 De
found. l only see it stated in the 10Th repor'
of the Superintendent OF Education that dur
ing that year, alit,lc over hait tue scholastic
population of the state attended school about
every other day in The week for rom tniee 10
four months in the year 1t would be difficult
TO estimate the value OF such Schoolng; 1or-
merly IL would have been estimated sllliiy as
nf no value. Here, then, is another liluStrf-
ion OF The cXtravagant waste occaslontu ~
State in terfrrence, and more Of the manner III
which it ObStructS thr very progress II was IN
rokrd TO tostr. And OF what value IS IL 10
teach one to read who cannot or Will not eA-
D"nd three dollars to acquire that art: Can
lie or viii! he ever purchase q book orSuhScrihe
fora newspaper? The state does not supply
literature as well as learning, tor noticed IN
an itemizcd schedule OF educational e:iprndl-
tures for $hU.nUD the State only Sp"nt Sl3) un.
der the head OF library and books: has all
the State has spent on free schools in the last
half generation increased arprcc!abiS thc ue-
lnanu for books and newspapers WITHIN or
borders? Let the book Stoie keepers ana jour
lalisiS answer. If We are irrerocaGly pledged
to eXpend this half II million annnnliy, surely
some wiser methods Tor its expenditure might
be devised