The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-07-24
OUR FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

ten by Prof. G. ". Moore, Of the Fendle.
ton Male Academy, and read at the late
meeting Of the Teachers Institute:
Members Of tile Teachers Association :
Having been asked by the County School
Commissioned to writs composition, on
some subject of my own selection, fol
this occasion, I have chosen as subject,
"Some Of the disadvantages of our free
school system, and how the system may
be improved"
Teachers afe ee{y ssa5onably supposed
to be conversant with our school system,
and it is one of their duties to use their
influence in obtaining such legislative
measures and such co operation on the
part of The people as will render our
schools most efficient. While the
teacher is not expected to take an active
part in political discussions, it is GER
tainly his duty, in great political storms,
to stand by the school hoise, and when
the elements have subsided, see that his
school is safely anchored, right side up,
in a good locality.
Among the disadvantages Of our sys-
TEN may be named the size and form of
Our school districts. At one time I was
compelled to 60 ten miles to have my
monthly reports signed by Trustee;
then had to go fifteen miles to draw my
pay. name this because I suppose that
many other teachers are now laboring
under similar disadvantages. J,
The question is now under discussion,
in the political field, of dividing the
Counties into school districts of such size
that only one auhite school and one negro
school may be located In each district.
Some of the advantages of this plan are !:
1st. The teachers will not have to 60 80
far to get papers signed, or to consult
Trustees. 2od. The Trustees will gener-
ally be- patrons Of the school and directly
interested in it. 3rd. The Trustees will
not be called on to locate little schools
all over the County for the accommoda-
ton of friends and kinfolks.
Again, the teacher is now required to
make out an elaborate report at the end
of each month, and have the same ap=
proved by the Trustees. If the same
amount of work we're done by lawyer
in drawing up deed or a will, it would
be worth at least I've dollars if this
monthly report could he cut up into ply
sicians' prescriptions, at one dollar
apiece, it would be worth about ten dolA
lars, yet the teacher is expected to do
this for nothing. after having earned in
the school room twice the value of his
wages. The teacher ought to be re.
quired to make one general report at the
end of his school. He also ought to be
allowed to draw his pay withoutso much
''red tape" Tt is time for teachers to
begin waging war on "red tape." The
money belonging to each school district
should be turned over to the Trustees for
disbursement, or should be paid out by
the Treasurer, on the order of the Trus-
tees, withou. further ceremony. The
teachers, Trustees aud School Commis-
siouers are about the only persons who
are treated as if they had appropriated
anothel's property, before being found
guilty. They are required to make afi-
dayits, sign and countersign papers, and
checkmate one smother as if they ali had
been convicted of forgery, yet il they
were disposed to steal, not one of them is
allowed 10 handle dollar Of the public
money.
If our school system is to be brought
up to anything like perfection, more
money is absolutely necessary both for
paying teachers better salaries and run.
ming the schools for longer terms,
Money will not create talent, but it is
certainly an inducement for men OF abil,
ity in any legitimate employment. But
the people are already complaining Of
taxes, and however anxious they may be
for good schools, they are no! willing for
their taxes to be increased in any con-
siderable degree. Now, how can more
money be given to the schools without
increasing the taxes? There is some
justice in the cry of unnecessary offices
and extravagant salaries. If few Offices
can be abolished and salaries in some
cases lowered, there can be saving to
each County of perhaps two hundred
dollars, which should be given to the
schools. 1t is not our desire, on this
occasion, to say what Offices should be
abolished, or whose salaries should be
lowered, but you can find out for your
selves where retrenchments can be made,
If there is any doubt about the utility Of
an Office, have some lady appointed to
fill it, ard the men will soon decide
when such an Office is nuisance.
think that something can be. saved
out of the money paid for the education
of the negro. Judging from the attend
ance at school, that race must receive
more from the school fund than they pay
to it. The public schools have been or.
ganized and maintained by the white
people for more than twenty years. The
negro is fully aware of The Importance o!
education, and having received che aid
of the white man SO long, he should now
receive only what he pays for the support
of the public schools--not dollar more
then, if he cannot plod his way up the
hill of science, let him fall.
Under our present school system
teachers salaries are insufficient, yet if s
man chooses to send to public school
and refuses to pay anything extra, the
teacher is compelled to receive his chill
dren. This is often the occasion of great
injustice to those who maintain schools
partly by assessment and subscription.