Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-03-27
School Reform--It Cannot Come
too Soon.

DEAR ADVERTISER: While an
article of some time since on
"School Libraries" was not writ
ten as surmised by oul lend
"Pedagog,e," TO provoke olscus-
sion, yet if it does act as weak
stimulus even in calling forth ex-
pressions from brother teachers
on the creates question of to-day,
viz: the Importance, the vital i'm
portance of more general educa-
ton, of competent instructors, of
better school buildings, and the
introduction of improved methods
of teaching, we shall feel ourself
more than fully repaid and here
and now pledge our humble SER
vices as an aid in battling for
these ends so greatly needed but
so long disregarded.
Most heartily do we agree with
"Pedagogue" in reference to the
absolute need for better school
buildings. AS surely as tree is
known by it's fruit just SO surely
is it true that the interest mani
tested in education by any given
community is known by the char
acter of its school building. This
is true from the simple fact that
wherever a wave of educational
enthusiasm has struck commu-
nifty the log-hut Immediately gave
place to a large and comfortable
and modernly equipped structure.
1t is too true that some people are
willing for their children to spend
the cold winter days in building
they would not suffer their stock
to remain in; they seem to have
an idea that because it is public
building anything in the share of
a house will answer every purpose
and that any stock they may take
in nicely erected building is of a
gratuitous nature. A greater mis-
take was never made. The school
building ought to be the best, the
most attractive, the most comfort
able, and the most thoroughly
equipped one in the community.
1t ought to be such a one that the
whole community could feel just
ly proud of it. A good school
and by that is meant first an ac-
tive interest on the part of the
whole community; secondly a
nicely finished building; third a
live and thoroughly competent
teacher and the necessary number
of assistants, is the finest adver-
tising medium any section of
country can have and will do more
to enhance the value of land and
add to its progress than any other
agency under the sun. 1t draws
the people together; furnishes a
community of common interest
and promotes social and intellec-
tual activity.
We are glad to see an awaken
ing of the people along this line
within the past few years. This
we attribute to the adoption of the
excellent system Of school dis
tricts--a system "Pedagogue" very
unwjsely, we think, deplores.
While it nay, as ali systems must,
have its imperfections yet in view
of the vast Improvement of thecom-
mon schools since it's introduction
every observant and unpreju'liced
mind must be forced to admit its
superiority over the time honor
ed (?) unsystemalical "nld field"
school plan. We think "Peda-
gogue's" objections to special
districts are as grou, dless as his
reasoning is illogical. His objec-
ton is that a "favorite" of the
Trustees or mayhap a ''relation"
will be Employed! Some of the
patrons will not be pleased with
the selection!! All of this is pure
ly hypothetical, highly imaginary.
He further argues(?)that sre-
cial districts may suit "thickly