The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-05-16
LOCAL NEW 8
COUNTY CORRESPONDENCE.
The Graded School.

MEssRs EDITORS: Why should not
Anderson have Graded School? The
reply is made that it is going to cost some
thing. Well, doesn't every thing valua-
BILE cost somethingf Don't our present
schools cost something? Don't our
churches cost something? And don't
every thing else that We have in the way
of public enterprises that are worth hay
ing cost something? And because of this
fact must we do without them? While
nearly all our sister towns and cities are
gradually wheeling into line and taking
wondrous strides in advance in the mat.
ter of public instruction, yet Anderson
must stand still because, forsooth, it is
going to cost something. Suppose it does
cost s12 900 or Sis, 900 to put commodi-
Gus school building, with all the modern
appliances and equipments for first
class Graded School, and $4,000 more to
man it with competent corps of instruc-
tors, under the management of compe.
tent Superintendent, is there any disad-
vantage to Anderson in all this Will it
not be source of pride and profit. too, to
every family within her borders? Will
it not bs fountain pouring forth its
stream of educational blessing, which will
spread abroad and permeate every walk
of life from the richest TO the poorest?
Will it not draw population, and that OF
the most desirable class to The city? One
writer intimates that the reverse will be
true-that the class which would come
would not be desirable. But let US call
the writer's attention to the fact that it is
not paupers who move to towns and
cities to educate their children, but men
of moderate means, who have an ambition
to better the condition of their families,
and of course would add something to the
taxable valuation of the city. We appeal
to every mans personal observation for
the truth of this statement. Already the
writer has conyersed with several living
within radius of five miles Of the city
who have expressed determination to
move here if the Graded Schools are
established, and each of them are men
who pay taxes on from $4,000 to 5000
worth of property. These surely are
desirable citizens to have in our midst.
But it is going to "tax the stockholders
Of existing institutions to build up COM
psting institution" Competing, how !?
Does Graded School complete with q
College? Surely our friends who are
uneasy about it have lost sight of the diff
ference in the class of work aimed att
Graded School and in a College. Surely
they have forgotten that Greenville has
her Furman University and Female Col.
lege, with her Graded Schools as basis,
the whole forming grand educational
system. with her Graded Schools serving
as feeders for her higher institutions Of
learning. No, no, friends, no competi-
ton, but generous help. 1t is not the
purpose Of the friends of the Graded
Schools to pull down either the Female
College or the Patrick Military Institute,
but to strengthen them, and to give to the
City Of Anderson completely rounded
up educational system, such as will make
her one Of the best educational centers OF
the State.
Now, as to the cost. We do not sup
pose that anybody has been silly enough
to advocate them on the ground that they
will cost nothing. II 80, he is to be
pitied. The true measure oil the cost is by
comparison with the existing methods OF
paying tuition.
There are about $50 children attending
school within the city The average tut
tion of these pupils is about thirty-fve
dollars per scholar, making $3.50 paid
out for tuition annually by the school
patrons of the city. Now, the Graded
School can be run for s., GOO. The taxable
valuation of the City of Anderson is in
round numbers about $780, 600. Now, a
levy Of five mills will produce the amount
needed, but we do not want the five mills
additional, for the reason that We already
have the constitutional two mill tax,
which yields revenue Of 81 ,538 and 236
polls, making s1774 Of the $4,000 needed,
and leaving $2226 to be raised, which will
be fully met by an additional levy OF
three mills. Now building can be put
up at cost of from $1,000 to $4,000,
which will be amply sufficient for the
needs of the city for years to come, and
can be constructed with reference 70 addi-
tions to be made as necessity demands.
Bonds can be issued to run twenty-five
years, and can be floated, we think, at q
rate not to exceed five per cent, and q
sinking fund established to meet them at
maturity. Take the case of man who
pays tax on 5000 worth Of fproperty, and
who has three children to send to school.
He is now paying not less than $50 for his
tuition, while with the Graded School he
would get the same for SIS.
Now, let US COME to the consideration
of this matter In no fractious or captious
spirit, but with an earnest desire for the
public good, and for the promotion OF
the best inter rests Of the city. If it is
good thing let rs have it. 1fitis not, let's
haye none of it. CITIZEN.