Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-01-26
THE TUITION QUESTION.

The Columbia State, Of Thursday, has
the following that is Of interest
throughout the state just now and OF
special interest in this section:
Yesterday an interesting question;
and to a large class OF people vital
one, was presented to the supreme
court, involving the right to charge
tuition fees in the common schools OF
the state. In two cases the appeal
came up; one from Florence, the other
from Rock Hill. The question was
raised in suits by taxpayers OF the
school districts of Florence and ROCK
Hill to prohibit the collection Of tuition
fees in the graded schools OF SAID
school districts, on the ground that
such collections were unnecessary ana
unlawful, violating the provisions OF
the constitutions of 1868 and 1895, Wh1ch
require a liberal system of free pubic
schools for all children between the
ages of and 21 years.
The Florence case was decldeo on
the circuit in favor of the constltu-
tionality of tuition fees, while In the
Rock Hill case the decision was In ia
vor Of the taxpayers, and the collec-
ton of tuition fees from persons resid-
ing in the school district was prohibit
ed.
In Florence, Rock Hill and few othS
er school districts, it seems, the char-
ters of their graded schools undertake
to authorize the collection. of tuition
fees il they are deemed necessary; and
in the Rock Hill graded school there is
a high school department as we'll as
the usual common school grades. The
salaries of the teachers in both depart
ments is paid out of the funds derived
from the constitutional three mills, poll
tax and a special two mill tax. The
taxpayers contend that the funds are
sufficient to maintain the common
grades, Furthermore, that special as
SeSSment necessary to MAINTAIN poth
departments is forcing the patrons or
the lower grades to assist in the sup
port of the higher grades.
During the month of September last
the board of trustees adopted regula-
tions for the collection Of tuition fees
as follows:
All tuition fees must be paid within
the first five days of each school month.
All patrons furnishing satisfactory evil
dence of their inability to pay the tut.
tion may receive from the secretary of
the board, upon application, permits
for their children to be entered upon
the free list" and by thus only, be ex-
cused from the payment Of tuition fees
during the session.
All pupils whose tuition is not paid
within the time specified, or whose pa
rents have not shown satisfactorily
their inability to pay, shall be denied
the privilege of attending school.
A number of patrons believing this
demand unconstitutional, refused to
pay the small assessment When the
five days limit expired, the superin-
tendent sent all the children whose par
ents had not complied with his regula-
tions. away from the school. Then fol-
lowed the suit of Geo. p. Holler ct al.
vs. Rock Hill Graded School District ct
al. The complaint for injunction and
relief resulted in decree for the plain
tiffs.
In this case the attorneys represent
ing the appellants are Messrs. Wither-
spoon & Spencers. and the attorney for
the respondents is VIM. J. Cherry. The
attorneys in the Florence case are
Messrs. w. F. Clayton and VIM. J..
Cherry for appellants and Messrs. S.
w. G.. Shipp and P. A. Wilcox for the
respondents.