The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-25
A CARD FROM CLERK THACKsToN.
He Defends the Methods Adopted to Sc
cure the Circulation Of his Palmetto
School journal Among the School
Trustees.
ESPECIAL to the News and Courier. ]

Especial to the News and Courier.]
COLUMBIA, S. c., June 22.-Prof.
ThacksJon, clerk to Superintendent of
Education Mayfeld, will publish the
following in the Palmetto Journal IN
reply to the statements criticising his
methods of soliciting subscription to
the Journal:
"The editor and owner of the Pal
metto School Journal has been made
the target for some sharp shooting by
a number of newspapers, many OF
which have attempted to attribute to
him the lowest and meapest of mo-
tives, and have labored painfully to
show that not only this Journal and
it's editor, but also others, have tried a
high-handed game of treason and rob-
hery, and are guilty of robbery and IN
cipient rottenness.
1.-The acts of the publication and its
owner aud editor are always amenaole
to just and fair public sentiment.
Nothing has been done in the dark.
There has never been any ATTEMPT to
conceal anything. The Journal came
into possession Of its owner some time
last March. Some negotiations were
made with a gentleman, who IS
printer in Columbia, looking towards
the printing of the Journal, and be-
coming interested in It's publication IN
order to advertise his goods to teachers.
No agreement was reached.
"Since that time no one but myself
has in any manner been interested IN
the Journal, financially or otherwise;
no one has ever been solicited IN any
manner, directly or indirectly, to be-
come interested, financially or other
wise. II was with a profound convlc-
ton that such a publication could be
made great power for good in the I'M
provement of the administration of the
affairs of the public schools Of the State
that induced me toassume the publlca-
ton of this same Journal.
"The belief was strengthened by the
experience of other States. The Penn
svlvania School Journal, now about
sixty years old, is the most notable in
stance, and is the official means Of COM
munication between the department of
education and the school officers. AT
one time in Virginia the State Super
intendeut of Education made direct
contribution from the State funds to
the support of the school publication OF
that State. I am not positive, but
think that the amount was something
like one third of the total expenses.
The State Superintendent Of Edu-
cation of Arkansas is associate editor
of the Journal of Education of that
State. A former State Superintendent
of Education of Alabama was editor OF
the Educational Exchange and con-
Quoted an official department Of the
same. He still retains his interest and
edits the publication in question, while
an official department is conducted by
the present Superintendent of Educa-
ton of that State.
"a careful study of the schools and
school system of the State, as vel! as
an experience Of six or more years, has
led to the belief that better admins
tration of the affairs of the common
schools under the present circumstances
can only be had by giving the trustees
more rights and more assistance IN the
discharge of their duties. The only
question was how to reach them-some
twenty-one hundred according to the
report of the Superintendent for 1890.
"After good deal of thought the
plan which has brought so much wrath
upon my head was deemed feasible oy
me, and a proposition to that effect was
made to the State board Of examiners.
The result of this was announced IN
double loaded page in the April num-
Der of the Journal, page 263, which was
published about the last of April or the
first of May. This announcement was
followed later by circular letter,
which has been published.
"That plan was one conceived 70
be the best to effect the ends desired.
1t was not in any manner concealed or
hidden. There was no scheme to fl!ch
money from the taxpayers to get some
thing for nothing. In no way were
trustees forced to take the Journal.
The matter was entirely voluntary,
first with the commissioners, then with
the trustees. If any person or neWspa-
per desires to inpugn the authority OF
the State board Of examiners the Courts
are open. :,
The Journal has never contained
one item that could in any manner be
constructed as political or partisan;
Nothing has been printed that coulo
be construed to be an attempt to
"'boom" politically or otherwise any
person. The aim is openly and avowed-
Iy for the promotion of the educational
interest of the State. The most search
ing investigation is cordially invited.
"The result will show that III no
thought or acts have any but the purest
motives for the best interest of the
common schools of the State prompted
my action as an Individual or other
wise.
The above is plain, simple state,
ment of the facts, and with these noted
l am quite willing to be judged by
f;.ir-minded and discriminating public.
'W. J. THACKSTON."
STATEMENT IN BEHALF OF THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION.