The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-07-02

THACKSTON'S REPLY
TO HIS NEWSPAPER CRITICS WHO
CHARGE HIM WITH JOBBERY.


Promote the Efficiency ofthose Officers
does Not Fear ANY Investigation.
COLUMBIA, S. c., June 23.-Thc fol-
lowing article from Mr.. w. J. Thacks-
ton OF the State Siupcri: tcndcnt Of Edu.
catiou's Office will appear in the next
number Of the Palmetto School Journal.
The publication Of this mum Der has been
delayed because Of the fact that Profess
sor ThackstOn was waiting the arrival
circular giving information about the
Teachers Association which meets IN
Chattanooga next month:
The editor and owner of the Palmetto
School Journal has been made the TARGET
Tor some sharp shooting by n number of
newspapers, many OF whom have
attempted to attribute to him the lowest
and meancst OrmOtivcs, and have labor.
cd painfully to show that not only this
Journal and its editor, but also others.
ave attempted a high-handed game of
treason and robbery, and are guilty Of
iobbcry and incipicnt rottenness.
The acts OF the publication and It's
owner and editor arc always amcnable
to a Just and fair public sentiment.
Nothing has been done IN the dark.
There has never been any attempt 20
conceal anything.
Inc Journal came into possession Of
lis present owner some time last March,
Some negotiations were made with a
gentleman who is a printer in Columbia
looking towards the printing OF the
Journal and becoming interested in its
publication in 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 orinllrcctly, to become
Interested financially or otherwise.
1t was with profound conviction
that such publication could be made a
great power Tor good in the improve
ment Of the administration Of the al
lalrs OF the public schools of the State
That induced me to assume the ;1ubica-
ton OF this same Journal. This belief
was strengthened by the experience of
other States. The Pennsylvania School
Journal, now about GO years Old, is the
most notable instance, and is the official
means OF communication between the
department OF education and school oni-
GERS.
At one time in Virginia the State su.
perintcndent OF cdu"atlOn 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 onc-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.
ucatlon OF Alabama was Joint editor of
| the educational Exchange and con-
ducted an official department in the
same. lie still. retains his interest and
edits the publication in question, while
an Official department is conducted by
the present superintendent Of education
Of that State.
~ careful study of the schools and
school sA stem of the State us well as an
experience OF six or more wears has led
to the belief that better administration
Of the affairs Of the common schools.
under present circumSt tanccs, can only
be had by giving the trustees more light
and more assistance in the DISCHARGE Of
their duties.
The only question Wa, how TO reach
them. Some 2,lUO, 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,
ana proposition to that effect was
made to the State Board of Examiners.
The result Of this was announced in Il
doublc-lcad2d page in the April number
OF the Journal p. 2G3) which was pub
lshcd about the last of pll or first of
May. This announcement was followed
later by a circular letter which has been
published. That plan was one con-
M l,f,E,t 80 a,
desired. 1t was not in any manner con-
ccalcG or hidden.
There was no scheme to ilch 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 impu4n the authority of the State
Board OF Examiners, the courts are open.
The Jourdal has never contained one
Item that could in any manncr be con-
strued rs political or PARTISAN. Nothing
has been printed that could be construed
to be an attempt to "bOOmn politically
or otherwise any person. The aim Is
openly and avOwcdly 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 purcst motives lor the best interests
OF the common schools OF the state
prompted my action rs an individual or
otherwise.
The above is plain, simple statement
OF the tacts, 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 222.-Whllc
a large balloon belonging to Count
ApraNinc was being inflated with gas
yesterday, it escaped from the attcnd-
ants who were holding it TO the ground
and carried upward four workmcn who