The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-11-28

the constitution, ana that tho above
general provisions be used. The Con
oral Assembly would thon be ut liberty
to pass on the subject and establish
such rules as may be thought best and
to change them from timo to timc as
the public good may require. The rcu-
son for having tho fund a county
school fund is that by this course none
of tho well-equipped splendid schools
OF tho State, which arc tho results Of
years Of most earnest effort and patti
cnco on the part Of those who have
struggled SO manfully and SO long
against old customs and great oppusi-
tiOn to establish them, would not be in
the slightest degroc injured or crippled,
but would on the other hand be helped
in common With all the other schools
OF the county by increasing their funds
and leaving their special school funds
undisturbcd. BY this course tho busis
on which these excellent schools have
been founded would remain untouched
except to give it strength, and there
would be no tearing down Of one school
for anathcr's gain, but would broaden
the basis on which to build other good
schools.
On account OF the inability Of the
poorer school districts to lcvy suili.
cicnt extra tax to make for themselves
good schools as have already explain
ed, | would recommend to the cOnven-
tiOn, in addition to increasing the
county school levy ono mill, to provide
for the levy and collection of an addi.
tiOnal tax OF one mill on tho dollar
on all OF tho taxable property Of the
State as an equalization fund, to be
levied and collected us othcr State
taxes, and to be expended through the
State Board of Education, under such
as the General Assembly
may prescribe, leaving much to the
discretion Of that board, bringing up
the poorer schools OF the several coun-
ties Of tho State to II plane now 0ccu-
pied by tho good aud well established
In other words, tear down
none, but build up all and make IL pos
siblc TO bring all up to agiven standard.
Such Il provision would easily operated
and could be made to produce most sat
isfactury results. Until something OF
this kind Is done we can never hope to
have the schools Of the State upon an
equal footing. The wealthy and we'll
to-do counties will gradually improve
their schools while tho less Fortunate
counties continue to fail TO provide suf
liciUnt schools for their people. IN,
same is true Of school districts The
strong counties and the strong districts
will continue to sap the weaker coun.
tics and weaker districts by drawing
from them many Of their citizens be
cause of their schools. 1t is childish
and foolish to expect good schools while
the money necessary TO run them is
withheld.
Governor Atkinson, OF Georgia. in his
message just sent to tho General AS.
.ll1o h nt h,lt tnf oh 1,nt Ia,
school fund OF that State is over ST.
$4,000 OF this $l5, 900 was net earn.
ings Of the penitcntiary, $lU2, 900 from
licenses for the sale of liquors, $2OI,-
600 tho States Onc-half OF tho income
from the Georgia Railroad, while the
residue was from other incomes and
large direct State appropriation of
5000, 900.
If Il sufficient equalization fund can
be raised in this State in any other way
than by direct tHX of mill on prop
rrty the Same general good results to
the schools would follow, and that
course should be taken. Georgia gives
tho profits Of the penitcntiary and the
income Of the sale Of liquors to he,
schools. Why should South ca, olina
not do likewise?
No one acquainted with tho wants OF
the people can for moment question
the fact that the people want and arc
their schools to be improved,
and are willing to pay an extra tax for
this purpose. All experience proves
that whore they arc able they never
hesitate to vote an extra tax for school
purposes. lii proof of this statement.
| beg to call your attention to the fol-
lowing list lcvying the special tax:
Winnsboro mills, Chester 2, Kcr.
shaw 3, Monticello =, Union 3, Johnston
2, Columbia 2, Ridge Spring 3, Warm
vile 2, Lccsvillc q Sandy River .,
Blackstock =, Orangoburg 3, Walter.
boro 2, ISidgoway 3, Little River =,
Spartanburg 2, Martin 3, Blacksburg H.
River 3. Continental 3, Darlington 5,
IIollcy 3, Rutherford 3, Williston q,
Bishopvillc t, Blackvillc 3, Camden 3
lIdgmoor i, Elko 5, Lancaster 5, Ora 3,
Bculah ), Salem 3. Princeton 3, Whocl-
and B. Denmark 3.
These are not half Of the districts
lcvying the special tax, but thoy are
enough to prove the truth OF the prop
ositiOn that where the people are able
they are providing themselves with
good schools by lcvying an extra tax
Then why not holp out the poorer dis
tricts that arc not able to levy it on
themselves
The report from tho State colleges,
in tho body OF this report,
to which reference is made, shows them
to be in good condition.
The Cedar Springs Institute for the
education Of the deaf and dumb and
blind has done most cxccllont work
during the year and deserves your fos-
tcring care.
The faculty has been enlarged and
the course extended without material
ly increasing tho expenses OF the insti-
tuition.
Your special attention is directed to
the separate report made to your body
by superintendent n. II. Walker. as to
tho condition and needs OF this insti-
tuition.
DR.. f. S. Joyncs spcnt tho past sum
mcr in France and Germany and made
observation Of normal and industrial
work thore, and have the privilege Of
Incorporating in this report his inter
osting report to Governor Evans on
these subjects.
For full statistical information as to
tho general condition and working Of
the schools, the expenditure of school
money, the cxpcnditur, OF the appro-