The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-10-11

SlODCo, LldIS' vi .IISoo p0DSL NbI0
ting and folding, etc.
If any school wishes to contribute to
the exhibit, the teacher is requested
to communicate with me at once.
Very truly yours.
JOHN J. McMAHAN,
State Supt. Education.
The esxhibitS that are assured are
drawings made under Prof. J. Wm.
Pattison of the Chicago Art institute;
drawings made in the county summer
schools of the following counties: An
derson, Fairfield, Florence. Green
vile, Laurens, Newberry, Orangeburg,
Richland, Sumter and York; physical
apparatus and specimens OF manual
work made at the State summer school
under the direction OF Prof. Vim. c.
A. Hammel of the Maryland State
Normal, Baltimore; maps and globes
made at the State summer school by
the pupils under Supt. E. l.. Hughes Of
Greenyille. 1t is expected that Supt.
Hughes will make very full exhibit
of this kind of work done by the pu-
pills in the Greenville city schools.
Mr.. McMahan has also been endeay-
oring to bring about the attendance
of college students and school chill
dren upon the fair. on a day 10 De
known as school and college day"
He has lately returned from visit to
Greenville and Spartanburg where the
plan met with encouragement. The
purpose of this gathering will appear
in the circular following. which was
sent to the members of the State
board Of education. The plan may
not, however, materialize, as the au-
thorities Of the State fair association
have not yet consented to the free ad-
mission:
Columbia. S. c.. Sept. IS, 1900.
Dear Sir: | have been thinking that
popular interest in education may be
stimulated, and the average mans
knowledge of the work CT the school
system enlarged, if We should have at
the State fair an exhibit Of work done
in the schools drawings, compost
tions, etc.-and should also have
School and College Day" when there
would be parade OF faculties and STU.
dents of colleges, and teachers and
pupils OF schools, in bodies.
This college Day" was suggested
to my mind some years ago, in con-
| nection with the visits of Clemson.
Winthrop, and the Citadel to the fair
(although not all at the same time).
Suppose all of the State colleges should
come at the same time-suppose all Of
the private colleges, for women as
! well as for men, should also come,
what a grand and inspiring sight for
the crowds that gather here for the
fair! Add to these some leading city
schools and some country schools, and
the display would set before the eyes
Of the people in most impressive
manner the greatness OF the eduCa-
t!onal work that rests upOr the peo-
pie OF the State. / think this kind OF
spectacular effect, although it may IN
one sense seen cheap and without
direct bearing upon the betterment o:
the schools, will be of special value at
this time, just as country school cele-
brations and other school and college
commencement have been iEstrumen-
Ia, il awakening the interest OF the
people Of the communities and direct
ing attention 70 educational matters,
which the average man is likely 70
give no thought to. We wish the leg
islature to make an appropriation 20
the public schools to supplement the
constitutional taxes. This is a ueces-
sity, now that the last legislature has
diverted the dispensary profits from
the schools-unless We are to let the
school tenn be shortened and the
schools fall in other respects below the
standard of recent years. Let us then
concentrate public thought upon the
school question.
School children can iii afford the
expense OF attending the fair. Yet with
an excursion train 10 return the same
day. there would be a very low rate.
and a majority Of pupils-from nearby
towns az ledst-wOuldSeiZ the Oppor-
tunity to attend. There would doubt
less be a good representation from al
most every large school, even as far
off as Anderson, Greenville and Char
lestCn. | feel. however. that the fair
association should admit these bodies
free. thus affording an additional en-
cou~agement to attend. The fair will
be the gamer by the success Of this
plan. The presence CT so many STU
dents and pupils will bring relatives
and friends from far and near, thus
largely increasing the general attend
ance on the fair, and the revenues.
Winthrop college gives no Christmas
holiday, and parents will come to the
fair to see their daughters. Moreover,