Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-07-10
A Taxpayer Wants Better Light, Better
Streets and Municipal Ownership Of q
Graded School Building.

Streets and Municipal Ownership Of a
Graded School Building.
EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER, with
your permission, 1 desire TO present
matter of great Importance for the
consideration of the citizens of York
vile, and especially the property own
ers. 1t is something in which every
body is interested and is entitled to
careful consideration.
A few day ago, in company with
four other citizens of the town, paid
a visit to the building now being used
by the white graded school. The OBJ
ject of this selfappointed committee
was to ascertain the condition of the
building and inspect the furnishings of
the class rooms. l had not been in
the house for more than 10 years, and
as q result of my visit was a revelation.
I will speak first of what we saw in
the class rooms, and next of the condi-
ton of the building itself. The grad
ed school proper occupies three medi-
um sized rooms on the second floor
each being about 20x20 feet, possibly
a little larger; and these rooms are
supplied Q'll not use the word furnish
ed) with a variety of what the children
call "desks," but no we'll informed per-
son would think of using the word in
this connection. shall not attempt to
describe them; but will suggest that
any who are in any way interested
and that should be everybody-go and
see for themselves. Ten years ago
these makeshifts might have been con-
sidered endurable, but they are posi-
lively painful to gaze on now and con-
template the purpose for which they
are used. The other appliances in the
rooms are entirely in keeping with the
"desks," and there is little wonder
that the children are inclined to rejoice
when the school is closed.
In regard to the building the same
suggestion, viz personal visit, would
be more apt give the visitor correct
idea of its condition. will, however,
mention q few repairs that are needed
1t needs new steps in front, new floor
in the portico, new roof, and a gen.
eral overhauling inside, including new
plastering in some of the rooms. The
building is rapidly going to decay, al
though it has not yet reached that
point at which it would be past re-
demption.
Now, Mr.. Editor, 1 will make sug-
gestion to the good people of York
ville-one which l think should meet
with their hearty approval and prompt
adoption and it is for them to buy
the graded school building, put it in
first class repair and furnish the class
rooms with an adequate number of
modern desks and other modern appli-
ances. 1t can be done for a compare
lively small cost and the benefits are
sure to be great.
/ have no idea that the property
originally cost less than $4,000 to
s15, 900, and I am informed that the
present owners have signifed will
ingness to sell it for $4,000. Add
81, 500 to $4,000 for repairs, and the
town would own building that
would be equal to any in the up-coun-
try for the purpose intended, and
would not have cost us half as much
as those of some of our neighbors, or
one fourth as much as others.
"Before the war;" the principal
streets of the town are represented by
the older inhabitants to have been in
horrid condition-almost impassable-
during the winter season and in Or
der to cure the difficulty, were macad-
amized in accordance with the knowl-
edge of road making of that day and
time, and for q number of years after
were source of pride to the natives
but now like the desks at the graded
school the macadam is out Of date.
Visits to Rock Hill, Chester, Spartan
burg, Greenville, Charlotte and other
nearby towns and seeing their streets
has convinced US that we need to take