The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1894-04-18

Mr.: EDITOR: Kindly give US space
In your paper to reply to an article BY
Rev. ] E. Covington in your issue o.
11th instant.
We regret very much that Mr.. Gov
ington has forced US into this contro-
versy. There is seldom any benefit te
either party from such controversies
and they often cause hard feelings
We are forced, in justice to ourselves
and the Wexford Academy, to deny
certain charges brought against Us in
Mr.. Covington's communication,
We deny that the Pierian School has
any lawful claim whatever to any part
OF the public school fund of the Well
ford School District. That school is q
UNCONVENTIONAL institution. This fact
Mr.. Covington does not, and can not,
deny. We are told by q member Of the
County Board-himself Baptist-that
Mr.. Covington came to him and said:
"The Baptists of Wexford have decided
to withdraw from the Wexford School
and organize a Baptist school, and
asked him to recommend a good Bap-
tist teacher"
1t was generally understood in the
community that the "Pierian" was to
to be a Baptist school.
Mr.. Covington refers to an effort to
establish q non-dsnominational school
in the center OF the town. At that time
Trustees were chosen. Plans were
formed. Subscriptions were taken.
A suitable lot was bought, and the
titles drawn and delivered to the Trus-
tees. Lumber was laid down on the
lot. About this time at meeting Of the
Trustees, the chairman-a Baptist-in-
formed the Board that he was instruc
ted to say that unless the Baptist con-
trolled the school they would have
nothing more to do with it. Thus failed
the enterprise. and no. because, as Mr..
Covington asserts, sufficient funds could
not be raised. Then as Mr.. Coving ton
states the Baptists chose five Trustees,
four members of their church, all Ii ing
outside OF the school District; who erec-
ted q suitable building and elected
teachers, the Principal being q Baptist.
We thought, until recently. our friends
were perfectly satisfied. A short time
since we were called to appear before
the County Board OF Examiners, the
Pierian school having petitioned for a
part Of the public fands Of our school
district. After full and impartial in
vestigation, each side being represented
by good legal talent, the County Bosrd
unanimously offered this resolutions:
"Whereas, it appears to the Board Of
Examiners that the Pierian school is
under the management OF Board Of
Trustees not elected by the free halders
OF Wellford.school district, as provided
by law; and that the teachers employ
ed in said school we're not chosen by
the Public School Board the appeal
from the decision Of the Public School
Board OF Wexford School District in
relation to the division Of public school
funds is not sustained"
We have no ill will whatever towards
the Pierian school. We wish it great
success, but have always considered 1t
a private enterprise, with which, We as
trustees, have nothing whatever to do.
Mr.. Covington states: "That the local
school authorities have persistently
set themselves against any improve
ment Of the school, claiming that Il
must be devoted to instruction in pri-
mary branches alone" '1n this state!
pent he contradicts hiIself, saying
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