The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-04-10
Mr.. WigsinS Again.

US you dlIcl 81 StCouo Si"hNS WV '">
rare statistics. If you were better ac-
quainted with the demand of this district
and the continued struggle we have gone
through during the past seven years, with
a closer and deeper sympathy for pro
gressive spirit in the educational affairs
of this people, you could say with good
discretion that we are morally right in
our dispensations as we'll as legally tri-
umphant in every effort. Indeed, it is
poor policy to attempt to defend a point
of character against one who Will draw
conclusions from erroneous premises. III
YOU have not done this, you have made
conclusions without knowing the pre-
misses Therefore, the fatal mistakes made
by YOU. An unstained truth and integrity
need no special defence. A man can not
build up character on false principles
much less can he build up school by
means of deception or trickery. The
world demands today a higher tone OF
citizenship, and | am glad Denmark is ac
complished in such; ;hnd with equal pleas
ure I grant the same to your town.
A hostile attitude of one community
toward another has always brought forth
sad results. 1t will not help Bamberg to
look upon Denmark with jealous susplc'
ion, or store up her motive power, fol
the purpose of crushing life, landable in
scope, that emanates from the applied ef'
forts of her neighbors. | presume the
Herald is representing the sentiment OF
the Bamberg people, and if we should be-
come cognizant of the fact that the writer
of the previous editorial has been pattcd
on the shoulder by any intelligent Bam'
berg citizens, giving approval and credit
to his opinions, so unhesitatingly advanc'
ed hy him, toO-then the correspondence
would appear to us as having most serl'
Gus Interpretation, both as to the quality
of Bamberg's citizenship and the true pur,
pose of the editor l prefer giving you the
benefit of the most plausible phase of your
argument, which may be summed up in
the statement that you have stamped us
as being a most malicious people, know
ing but little about US, and our manage
ment of public schools as stealthy rogucry
without having sufficient light to guide
YOU safely. Both of your editorials made
sweeping condemnations, supported by
quoted matter from the pages of the Ed
ucational report and from the pamphlet OF
information written by the colOred prin.
cipal, but none of these things effect the
truth of the specific terms under which
the school in question is run.
The Industrial school during the past
six years has been nothing more than a
public school, which has been placed in
the hands of this Tuskegee graduate, who
accepted it under terms of contract, the
trustees paying her $50 per month for five
consecutive months. The two other
colored schools are run four months each
at salary of $40 per month, making a
total expenditure for colored schools
1910. 1t seems that the annual report to
the State Supt. shows only $3.50. This is
a mistake. These figures seem to perpleX
the Herald. 1t must be borne in mind
that this is entirely local question con
cerning which my grieved friend evident
" felt called upon to administer rebuke
Assuredly, this is as much his business rs
the management of the Herald is mine
Jumping, as he did, headlong into non
partisan affair, about which he had but
little knowledge, it is in harmony to see
him impugning the character and moral
Judgment of our honest officials with
seeming good grace.
have in my mind an incident which
brings into active consideration the adj
visibility of divulging an affair, which
would shock some of your fellow-towns
men, yet it would be truth undefled; but
I refrain, because will never allow black
deeds of few men to overshadow the
pure manhood which they are supposed
to represent. Then too, the conditions
are so changed today from what they
were then, draw the conclusion that the
power of honest men have buried these
horrible realities along with their polite
al dead, and the day of resurrection is not
at all close at hand.
Our trustees have done faithful work
for all schools. What they are today is
the climax of growth from almost moth
ing. The white teachers have been poor
ly paid and the colored teachers will have
to share the same patience until our board
can safely increase their pay, as they re-
spectively deserve. We pay the Indus
trial school about twice as much as we
paw either of the other colored schools
1t deserves this, because twice the number
of pupils are enrolled.
Lizzie Wright, having accepted the
school for the amount mentioned above
when she unthoughtedly withheld the en-
rollment, a demand, her obligation of con
tract, was made plain to her and she me,
the issue with sincere, honest compli
ance. She has always given our board 8
most respectful support and her abiding
here has always carried with it strong
life, fine character Everything must
have a beginning, and the beginning ol
the Industrial school was simply 4 change
of names with the personal support of tho
Booker Washington graduate. She has
used the enrolment of this school as tht
basis of her appeals to Northern friends
The public school has been the bud of hel
hopes, the VOORHEES, school is the blossom
and fruit of same How grateful she ought
to be to this District Board for the ad
yantages accorded her. Taking the schOo
as she did, we have never interfered Will
her plans. She has managed the schoo
as she wished, giving it name anC
choosinga board Of trustees; but her doors
were wide open to all, as per agreement
when the district trustees announced the
opening of free term. Upto this time the
school has been known as the DenmarE
Industrial school. The enrolment last
term was 900 for the free term and the
length of term was five months. The
crysalis state of the Industrial school has
been passed. The real Industrial school
has been established, VOORHEES,, by name
The enterprise is an accomplished thing
lasting credit to the untiring principal
The VOORHEES, Industrial school is about
completed, new school, and will here
after have nothing to do with the public
schools. The VOORHEES, school will take
up it's specific work, but the public schoo
will still be under the management of it:
present principal, in an entirely separate
building.
thrust theHerald can get ample light, from
which he can readily deduce 4 complete
eXonoration in behalfofDenmark schools
We appreciate your candor and while yol
have pounded Us hard with the liberty o
your position, still we desire your goo(
wishes. We want your friendship and wt
want Bamberg to feel that Denmark is hel
equal in tone Of character and far beyont
her in public school advantages. Our SUI
periority is to your diScredit. You coull
have q hetter school if Won would realize