The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-10-13
LETTER FROM MR.. HODGES.
lie 1IiscOnstrues Our Words to the
Trustees. and Thinks they are ~
Reelection OIL His Official Act.
which was Not the Case.

Editor Press and Banner:
In the last issue OF your paper you criticised
the action Of our County Board in opening
the public schools lst November next.
Among other things you say:
"Any effort to forcstall the action OF the III
coming School Commissioner could not re-
suit in good to the children In whose interest
the schools are TO be run. As it was thought
well to postpone the opening OF the schools
in the present scholastic year untll FEBRUARY,
IL might be well 10 give the new School Com
missioner the opportunity TO have something
to say as to when his schools are TO OPEN"
Why then, hinder us from Saying some.
thing rs TO when Oiu' schools are TO Open"
Our action which you critlcisc is
W Lawful,
(2) Right,
Caj Necessary.
Lu,rfitl. as will be seen by reference to Sec
ton lOlI tGcn. Stat.):
.'The school year shall begin annually on
the lSt day Of November, but each County
Board OF Examiners shall have power to linn.
it the school term according TO the school
fund of their County, and 10 regulate the
opening and closing of the schools in such
manner as will best subservc the educational
interest OF different localities
Right. because our term docs not expire I'M
till the lst Of January. 1851, and until then
we are the only persons authorized TO man-
age the schools.
Necessary, because persons in all parts Of
the County are constantly enquiring OF the
School Commissioner when the schools would
open. many patrons asking permission to
open the schools in November.
Customary, as will he seen by reference to
the County papers, for example: Just before
Capt. Cowan surrendered the Office 10 his sue
ceSSors yo"r paper contained thr following no
ticc upon ,chirh yD,t nirde no crittciSnL:
"NOTICE.-Thr respective Boards of School
Trustees of AbbevIllc County will reopen
the public schools on the first of November
ncxt. where it suits the convenience OF pa
irons and pupils. f. CowAS,
Oct, II. 1881, Sch. Com. y. C.'
We are not, in any sense. ObstructiOnists
We positively tliSclaim any Intention tl"lorc-
stall the action of the incoming School Com
missioner" hut on the contrary we WI
cheerfully hold up his hands in any efforts he
the lamcn,ablc condition of the public
schools. We here record our sincere wish
that the County schools hereafter may be
more prosperous and efficient than they have
ever been in the past. We have lahnrpd dill
lgently to improve ID the office, (2l the teach
erS, (3) the schools, N) and to make during our
short term unmiStakahle progress all alcng
the lire i'm the grand march of education.
Whether the tendency of our administration
has been upward and towards the light we
leave to the Judgment of the pnhlic. While
our management of the public schools has
hcen endorsed hy the most competent critics
in Abhcvillc County ami in the state, we are
have been carpin. critics 10 heap maligniiy
and abuse upon us. 1t is some encouragement
TO know,
'srwo things there are condemn the poets lays
The scholars ccrsurc aid the hl0ckhraaS praise:
Tha' glowing PAGE with double luslre shines
When Pope approves, and Dennis dannS the lines.
Respectfully, GEO. G.. HODGES.
School Commissioner, y. &.
Oct. II, 1856.