The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-07-01
THACKSTON'S REPLY
TO HIS NEWSPAPER CRITICS WHO
CHARGE HIM WITH JOBBERY.

His Action in Seeking Contributors
Among School Trustees Intended to
Promote the Efficiency OF those officers
docs Not Fear Any Investigation.
COLUMBIA, S. c., June 23.-The fol-
lowing article from Mr.. w. J. Thacks-
ton OF the State Superi. ,teudent of Edu.
cations Office will appear in the next
number Of the Palmetto School Journal.
The publication Of this number has been
delayed because Of the fact that Profes-
sor Thackston was waiting the arrival
a circular giving information about the
Teachers Association which meets II
Chattanooga next month:
The editor and owner Of the Palmetto
School Journal has been made the. target
for some sharp shooting by number of
newspapers, many Of whom have
attempted to attribute to him the lowest
and meanest ofmotives, and have labor
ed painfully to show that not only this
journal and its editor, but also others,
have attempted a high-handed game Of
treason and robbery, and are guilty OF
jobbery and incipient rottenness.
The acts of the publication and Its
owner and editor are always amenable
to just and fair public sentiment.
Nothing has been done In the dark.
There has never been any attempt 20
conceal anything.
The Journal came into possession of
its present 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 becoming interested in its
publicationin order to advertise his goods
to teachers. No agreement was reach
ed. 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 orindlrectIy, to become
interested financially or otherwise.
1t was with profound conviction
that such publication could be. made
great power for good in the improve
ment Of the administration OF the af-
fairs of the public schools Of the State
that induced me to assume the publica-
ton Of this same Journal. This belief
was strengthened by the experience of
other States. The Pennsylvania School
Journal, now about 60 years old, is the
most notable instance, and is the official :
means of communication between the
department Of education and school Off
GERS.
At one time in Virginia the State,su.
perintendent Of education made direct
contribution from State funds to the
support Of the school publication Of that
State. am not positive, but think that
the amount was something like one-third
Of the total expenses.
The State superintendent OF education
of Arkansas is associate editor Of the
Journal Of Education of that State.
A former State superintendent of ed
ucation Of Alabama was joint editor of
the educational Exchange and con-
Quoted an official department in the.
same. He still. retains his interest and
edits the publication in question, while
an official department is conducted by
the present superintendent of education
ofthat State.
A careful study of the schools and
school system Of the State as well as an
experience OF six Or more years has led
to the belief that better administration
of the affairs Of the common schools,
under present circumstances, can only
be had by giving the trustees more light
and more assistance in the discharge of
their duties.
The only question was how to reach
them. Some 2,l00, 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 by me,
and proposition to that effect was
made to the State Board of Examiners.
The result Of this was announced in
double-leaded page in the April number
of the Journal (p. 263l which was pub
lished about the last Of April or first OF
May. This announcement was followed
later by circular letter which has been
published. That plan was one I con-
ceived to be the best to effect the ends
desired. 1t was not in any manner con-
cealeG or hidden. -
There was no scheme to filch money
from the taxpayers, to get something :
for nothing. In no way were trustees
forced to take the Journal. The mat.
ter was entirely voluntary, first with
the commissioners, then with the trus-
tees. Ifany person or newspapers de-
sire to impugn the authority OF the State
Board of Examiners, the courts are open.
The Jourdal has never contained one
item that could in any manner be con-
strued as political or partisan. Nothing
has been printed that could be construed
to be an attempt to ''boom" politically
or otherwise any person. The aim Is
openly and avowedly for the promotion
OF the educational interest OF the State.
The most searching investigation is
cordially invited. The results will show
that in no thought or acts have any but
the purest motives for the best interests
Of the common schools of the State
my action as an individual or
otherwise.
The above is plain, simple statement
Of the facts, and, with these noted. am
quite willing to be Judged by fair
minded and discriminating public.
w. J. THACKsToN.
Dashed to Death.
ST. PETERSBURG, June 22.-While
4 large balloon belonging to Count
Apraxine was being inflated with gas
yesterday, it escaped from the attend
ants who were holding it to the ground
and carried upward four workmen who
were in the car when the balloon broke
away. After it had ascended to great
neinht the onloOkers were horri6ed to