The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-11-19
Constitutional Convention,
THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
Three Mills for the Public
Schools.
THE POLL TAX ONE DOLLAR.
Tillman and Evans Opposed Each
tee on Education Goes Through.
THE POLL TAX ONE DOLLAR.
THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

Senator Tillman said he wanted t
start on the matter of districts, becaus
many members were willing TO vote ,
good levy, IL they knew how it was t
be distributed, and on his motion th'
debate was adjourned. He offered 1
substitute as follows.
Section 8. The General Assembly
shall provide for q liberal system o
free public schools for children between
the ages of 6 and 81 years. not mentally
disabled, and for the division of the
counties into suitable school districts
as compact In form as practicable, hav
ing regard to natural boundaries US
large creeks, etc, and not to exceed
forty-nine nor be less than nine square
miles in area: Provided, that In cities
OF ten thousand inhabitants and over
this limit sh all not apply: Provided,
further, that IL any school district laid
out under this section shall embrace
cities or towns already organized into
special school districts in which graded
school buildings have been erected by
the issuance of bonds, or by special
taxation or by donation, all the terri
tory included in said school district
shall bear its just proportion of any
tax that may be levied to liquidate
such bonds or support the public schools
therein: Provided, further, that moth
w
construed as q repeal of the laws under
which the several school districts OF
the State are organized.
Congressman Wilson said this amend
ment would never do. In his county
the people were satisfied with the pres
ent arrangement of the districts. Chill
dren would be confused and sent to new
schools. The Legislature ought to be
allowed to manage this question. What
49,. Il,
or. This suddel change will involve
q charge and an expenditure that is
not wanted. We want to be let alone
and let us manage our affairs in our
own way. These words, las practica-
ble," cannot save us. The provision is
mandatory, and it will take very
great excuse to save us. 1t would cost
'~ris county not less than 80, 600 to carry
out this provision. What he advocated
was to protect the country districts.
Senator TillmaE said it looked as il
Mr.. Wilson could not look beyond
Spartanburg in considering public
lestion.
Mr.. Wilson: "My friend is alone
and, although surveyor, does not
know the public wants."
Senator Tillman: "What we want
is to keep the people from fritterng
away our school fund. We must start
out with reasonable school districts and
not leave children in mo mans land
We have to begin right and the only
way is to have the schools as near the
centre, of the township as possible;
Why should you not have them square?
Leave it to the Legislature and it will
do nothing. You want to leave 1t to
the Legislature whenever you get in
hole. We are compelled here now to
lay the foundations. Unless we do this
we will not have the hearty support
that this article should receive when
adopted. Senator Tillman was deeply
in earnest in advocacy of his district
provision"
Mr.. Clayton wanted to know what
about the graded schools.
Mr.. Tillmanl: elf your schools are
noSrnn as YOU want then God knows
you have enough poor men In Florence
TO take them by the collar and get men
in Office who will run your schools as
you want :aem."
Mr.. Cooper: "What are you going
Z to do with district that has no white
child in it and sparsely settled with
negroes ?"
Senator Tillman: "Give it to the
negroes II they are there, and il they
are not there, to the alligators."
S(Laughter.)
An Mr.. Parrott, of Darlington, thought
vS'6he people could take care themselves.
ttGp his district, which was poor, there
A we're three schools.
N Mr.. Parler, of Colleton, was opposed
An the amendment. If we were forced
Ao lay off districts as provided for we
I'D not lind single white in some
Y riots. The Legislature has acted
n ely and this can be left to that
y. AS soon as we are we will
tie o school district and put a
Tte and colored school in it.
AR. Johnson, of Spartanburg, ia
vored small districts, as the children
would not have to go so far to attend
school. He thought 1t better to amend
b. saying sin as compact q form as
possible"
Mr.. Otis, of Union, said the plan was
for the future. What was wanted was
the location of schools in the future.
right now.
Mr.. Howell, of Colleton, thought the
present statute law now in force ample
and sufficient. In his county the ma.
iority of the school districts are town
ships. Under the present law smaller
>thistricts can be organized when they
RE wanted.
Senator Tillman: of you want tt
Dc exempted why not, say 80. W.
rt WAnJ bll6 lOT VIC WnOlS oJdJo.
II Mr.. Howell: 1.-THE statute books
4 give every county all the rights WI
n have under the statutes and all coun
ties can get school districts when they
want it,"
- y Senator Tillman: "We want t,
start over anew. We want to brusl
aside all the farce and nonsense W,
gotfrom the Republicans. We wan
y o new order OF things. You simpl.
make your. people go ahead and d
something"
n Mr.. Howell: "They are doing al
I. they can. They are not asleep and ar
spending all they can. Our peopl
are aroused to the needs Of education
land are building school houses an
bupporting schools"
~ Mr., Johnstone, OF Newberry: "Ou
= aehool districts have been recently re
surveyed and the average 10 at leas
four miles square. Three miles woui
anti his people better"
Whe convention had agreed to take
vojte on Senator Tillman's propositio
atI twenty-five minutes OF o'clocl
when that hour arrived Mr.. Bartol
ot otCsreenyille, wanted to make speecl
huf, President Evans announced thi
the hour for voting had arrived an
that the convention had fixed the no,
and he could only carry out its ma
dates. This made Mr.. Barton litt
yexed and he said that some membe
could speak when they wanted az