The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-26
Dur. school Houses.

IluG".ly appearing. "I
Tightening the burden ofboth teacher
and learner are being placed before
US. In order. however, to use them
successfully. We must have the proper
material at our disposal; unless we
do. we must remain in the rear guard,
striving to catch up, but ever behind.
TO do good and satisfactory work,
the necessary work must be at hand,
and 4 place for using them is re-
quired.
Are the school houses Of Newberry
County what they should be? Are
they as comfortable and as well sup
piled with school room furniture as
is necessary? Having read the
School Commissioner report for
last year, we can unhesitatingly say
that they are not. Some improve.
ment may have been made since
then, but not enough to better their
condition to any great extent.
This is question Of great i!npor-
tance. and it is not worthy Of q great
and free people, who acknowledge
education to be the hope Of the coun-
try. to let it receive so little Of their
attention. They will freely admit
that the condition Of the school
houses. in many cases, is deplorable,
and totally unfit for the purpose for
which they are designed, still they do
not attempt to improve them. Is it
not almost criminal negligence, on
the part Of patrons Of school, to
suffer their children to spend, during
the day time, five or six Of the most
disagreeable months in q building
which they would not use for barn
or their plantation? This is the
case. not only in Newbcr:y County,
but also in other parts Of the State.
as we learn from reports. Does thls
state of things exist in other States?
There may be few that would not
make much better showing than
South Carolina, but the great ma
iority. we should suppose, are far
ahead. For example. take the State
of Indiana, admitted into the Union
a little more than half century ago.
and let US see the condition Of school
houses there. In that STATE, accord
ing to reports. there are 9.556 school,
houses, valued at Sl.9O730l. or
this number is are log, So stone.
2.lSl brick. and tie remaining G.94t
frame. i:erc is an average value Of
each building of 5000. II we knew
the condition Of the school houses in
the eastern and middle States. per
haps we would find even better
state of things. We talk Of the
South's being behind the North,
which is really true, and the same
will be the talk century hence. if
sach vital question as education is
neglected.
Whose fault is it that the school
houses are not properly cared for?
We answer: |. The State. ,. The
patrons. 3. The teachers. Money is
appropriated annually for the pur-
pose Of paying teachers, and the
State should see to 1t that these
teachers. its employees. have suitable
places in which to work. If the
State should make small appropria-
tions for q few years, for the purpose
Of bettering the the condition Of tie
school building. it would be well,
even if some Of the amount should
be taken from the pay usually given
to teachers.
The patrons must also bear their
share Of the blame. When employ
ing q teacher, they should see 20 It
that the necessary requirements for
effective work are at hand. They
cannot reasonably expect their chill
dren to make the progress they should,
when their wants are not cared for.
When man employs laborer, he
gives him the right kind Of tools
to use, if he does not. sorry work is
the consequence.
Can teacher do anything to make
his school room comfortable and at
tractive? lie may claim that he is
employed to teach, and having done
this faithfully. his duty has been per-
formed. This is. in fact. true. But
can he not do something that is not
strictly in lis line Of duty? Often
patrons do not know what is required
to make school room complete.
Desks, blackboards. &C., may be