The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-26
The Educational Question.
GOODLAND. August 10Th, 1881

The Educational Question.
GoODLAND. August 10Th, 1885,,
Editor Times nnd Democrat:
In your issue OF the 18th inst. | see
communication signed by "a Demo-
some attention. Hear him. He says:
the citizens of this County upon the
educational system of this State. Now,
so far as l can recollect, there has been
no direct attack made only by myself,
and that only upon the college system.
There has been some calls for candi-
dates to express themselves on these
questions. but no direct attack. Again
he says: "Education is either Il good
or Il bad thing" What bosh. l have
never heard Il man of average intelli-
gence say. or intimate, that education
was a bad thing: on the contrary it is
always considered good. Yes, very
good, and something to be sought after
What he says about good citizens, and
educated citizens, is all very well, If he
will just add that the man might be Il
better or a worse citizen, with higher,
or even lower education.
That the government loves to its
citizens the adoption OF means for their
Improvement" do not deny, but the
question arises, what are the best
means to reach the end desired? Ger
tainly not taxing the poorer to educate
the richer class. But he says this is to
educate the poor, and brings up pic
ture of the poor man being left out for
want of higher education. Now every
one knows that a free college education
never was, nor never will be, placed in
reach Of all the poor. Nor is it the
wish of a. Democrat" or any one else,
that it should be. y man that can
spare his son from four to six years,
pay his board and keep him well clothed
is far above the average taxpayer IN
point of wealth. And if you can prove
that there is taxpayer, (hoWeVcr
Small) in this State. who is not able to
do all this, then l will prove that the
State is taxing the poorer to educate
the richer. 1t seems to me that this
shauld settle the question in the minds
Of every unbiased Democrat.
But to return to ~ Democrat" lie
says "the present mass Of Ignorance
threatens our free institutions" &c.,
and then winds up by trying to soft
soap the eyes Of this ignorant mass by
saying ''if the poor man is compelled
to stand still in this matter the State
will fall into tho hands OF the few edu-
Gated rich"
Consistency thou art Il jewell Who
is this mast of ignorance il not the
poor and unlcarneu? And if they have
power to upset these free institutions
now, (Which God grant they may) Will
they not be able to hold some place in
the State Government? | think so.
That there are good, honest men on the
other side Of the question | have no
doubt. but they are men far removed
from want; they do not know whereof
they speak. If they could come in
daily contact with the people, and enter
into their joys and sorrows. see and
realize the trouble and privatlon often
experienced by the poor, to raise the
small Ito them large) amount OF taxes,
l think if they Are possessed OF any
kindly feelings for the poor they would
turn every power in them to tighten
the tax instead OF making it heavier.
as to the free common schools have
nothing to say, as they are very near
in reach Of all, but they might be
better. am glad that ~ Democrat
has showed his colors. Politicians
seem to be on the fence in regard to the
proposed agricultural college, nearly
all saying ii the farmers want it l am
in favor of it. Poor politicians loot
balls! for a few courthouse farmers
that do not take hold of the plow once
year attempting to represent the man
toiling for his daily bread. There is a
class of men q will call them kid
gloved farmers) who attempt to repre-
sent the whole of the farmers of the
State. They plant largely, make lots
of cotton at almost any cost, call their
meetings, organize farmers clubs, pass
resolutions to suit themselves, send
them to the editor, and they are sent
out to be read, as the voice of the farmers
OF County or State, as the case may be.
Now these men have nothing else to
do, and they have sons souring on their
hands, who are too proud to work, and
they must be at something to keep
them out of mischief, and if these kid
gloved farmers can fool us horny
handed "mass Of Ignorance" to keep
up these free colleges for them, Of
course they will be benefited to the
amount of the tuition fee. | say again,
down with them all. L. j. BoLIN.
| Candidates and Crops.