The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-11-21
Constitutional Convention,
THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
Three Mills for the Public
Schools.
THE POLL TAX ONE DOLLAR.
Tiilman and Evans Opposed Each
Other--The Report Of the Commit
tee on Education Goes Through.
THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

Senator Tillman said he wanted to
start on the matter of districts, because
many members were willing to vote q
good levy, If they know how it was to
be distributed, and on his motion the
debate was adjourned. He offered Il
substitute as follows.
Section s. The General Assembly
shall provide for liboral system Of
free public schools for children between
the ages of and 81 years. not mentally
disabled, and for the division Of tho
counties into suitable school DISTRICTS
as compact In form as practicable, hay
ing regard to natural boundaries as
large creeks, etc, and not to exceed
forty-nine nor be less thau nine square
mile 8 in area: Provided, that in cities
OF ten thousand Inhabitants and over
this limit sh all not apply. Provided,
further, that if any school district laid
out un'1er this section shall embrace
cities or towns already organized into
special school districts in which graded
schOO' hpildings 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 it's just proportion of any
tax that may be levied to liquidate
such bonds or support the public schools
therein: Provided, further, that moth
ing in this article contained shall be
construed Us q repeal Of the laws under
which the several school districts OF
the State are organized.
Congressman Wiisnn said thi- amend
ment would never do. In his county
the people were satisfied with the pres
enC arrangement IF the districts. Chill.
dren would be confused and sent to now
schools. The Legislature ought to be
allowed to manage this question. What
will suit one county will not suit anoth-
er. This sudden change will involve
q charge and an expenditure that is
not wanted. We want to be let alone
own way. These words, las practica.
ble," cannot save us. The provision is
mandatory, and it will take a very
great excuse to save us. It would cost
his county not less than so, 900 to carry
out this provision. What he advocated
was to ojorotect the country districts.
Senator Tillmar said it looked as il
Mr.. Wilson could not look beyond
Spartanburg in considering public
question.
Mr.. Wilson: "My friend is alone
and, although surveyor, does not
know tho public wants"
Senator Tillman: "What wo want
Is to keep the people from frittering
away our school fund. Wo must start
out with reasonable school districts and
not leave children in mo mans lanl.'
We have to begin right and the only
way Ia 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 it to
the Legislature whenever you get in IL
hole. We are compelled here now to
In h. fr,,s1 N1ts I'll, a.. :
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.. Tillman: elf your schools are
not run as you want then God knows
you E&ee enough poor mon in Florence
TO take them by the collar and get men
in office who will run your schools as
you want Them"
Mr.. Cooper: "What are you going
to do with q district that has no whit3
child In it and sparsely settled with
negroes ?"
Senator Tillman: "Givo it to tho
negroes If they are there, and if they
are not there, to the alligators."
Laughter.)
Mr.. Parrott OF Darlington, thou rht
the people could take care them selves.
In his district, which was poor, there
were three schools.
Mr.. Parler, of Colleton, was oppossl
to tho amendment. If we were forced
to lay Off districts as provided for we
would not find single white in some
districts. The Legislature has act.u
wisely and this can be left to th VI
mil
create q school district and put ~
white and cOlOrod school in it.
Mr.. johnson, Of Spartanburg, IA
vorod small districts, as the children
would not have to go 50 far to attend
school. He thought it better to amend
by saying "in as compact q form as
poaNiDle.'
Mr.. Otis, Of Union, said the plan was
ior the future. What was wanted was
ene location of schools in the future.
right now. W.
Mr.. Howell, of Colleton. thought the
present statute law now in force amuio
ana suliictent. In his county the ma
Jorlty OF the school districts arc to,vn-
ships. Under the present Law smoi,,,
districts can be organized when thou
are wanted. 0'ioy
Senator Tillman: eff you want %
oe eHetiPCeu why not say so, Wa
want this for the whole State"
Mr.. Howell: The statute books
give every county all the rights We
have under the statutes and all com.
ties can get school districts when thew
want it,"
Senator Tillman "We want to
start over anew. We want to brush
aside all the farce and nonsense we
got from the Republicans. We want
new order of things. You simply
make your. people 60 ahead and do
some hing"
Mr.. lowell: ."Thcy are doing all
they can. They are not asleep and are
spending all they can. Our people
are tlgoused to the needs OF education
and are building school houses and
supporting schools"
Mr.. Johnstone, OF Newberry: "Our