The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-06-02
Courteous Reply.

The State Superintendent of Education sent
the following letter in reply, which seemed
so fair, aud marked out so clearly what
should be done in case 1t was desired to bring
the matter to the attention Of the State Board
of Education, that legal aid was employed to
send it up The trouble Of measuring dis
tances, seeking and taking aftidavits, Was all
undergone with the idea that the appeal
would be fairly heard, and that the case
which had been improperly conducted at Abb
peville would be either reversed or sent back
for a proper hearing, but it will be seen that
owing to the fact that the patrons Of the
Hard Labor School were as ignorant Of the
legal mode Of procedure as was the School
Commissioner, they have been defeated
upon tecnicaliies and, what seems to us to
be, an unmistakable and ever present
desire on the part Of the State Board of
Education to defend and sustain the school
authorities from whose Judgment the appeal
aras taken.
The State Superintendent Of Education
said:
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
. OFFICE OF STATE SUP'T. OF EDUCATION
COLUMBIA, S: G., March 81, 1856.
afr. Hugh Wilson, A6jevslle, s. c.:
DEAR SIR: Your communication dated
March Zt0, ana QlTcCIeu W Iuc dO
under z. O.. registry, has been received; and
have read II with care.
The Introductory address to me signed by
you lin behalf OF others, presumel leaves me
In doubt rs to what action is expected OF me.
II the paper Is intended as an appeal rom q
decision OF the County Board of Examiners,
should be put N proper form ana %e SeSer
1ntendent OF Education has no authority TO
review or reverse decisions made by the Cour-
~ Boards. AS he is chairman, eX oftlcio, OF
AZ norl wonl6 bo m q nj fpSfly i'm
proper for him to express any opinion, upon
an ex parte statement, concerning any mat
ter Of appeal that Is TO come before tha'
The right of appeal Is clearly granted In the
law. See Section LOOT, School Law. 10 copy
herewith senD, and the mode Of proceeding Is
prescribed. II 1t Is desired to bring the mat
ier before the State Board, would suggest
that the parties who made the appeal TO the
County Board. prepare statement OF their
case as presented 10 that Board, with such
map. affidavitts, &C., as may be necessary to
proper understanding OF their claim; address
it to the State Board OF Examiners, and for
ward it through the County Board. This will
peal with such statement OF facts and testi-
mony as may place the State Board In posi-
1ion 10 deal intelligently with the subject.
lam free to say that this difficulty is one OF
common occurrence, and grows directly out
of the unfortunate policy adopted at the 1nau-
guration OF the public school system, In max
ing the school districts coincide with the
townships. For the past three years, l have
been urging the County Boards, who have the
requisite power by law. to re-diStrlct their
Counties SO as 10 make two schools, one for
white and one for colored children. with an
area exteD ding from two and a half to three
miles In all directions, constitute q school dis
trict. The Trustees would then be able to dis
charge their importan. duties without hard
ship or Inconvenience, and would be freed
certait, sections. Until such a change is made
am persuaded that the fullest benefit OF the
schools can not be realized.
Very respectfully,
A. COWARD,
State Supt. Education, $. &.