The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-02-12
REPLY TO A CRITIC,
Who Entirely Misunderstaids the
Position of e'Press and Banner.

A writer from the Aboeville Cotton Mil 10
per for recent editorials on the election OF
school trustees We are sorry that he entirely
misunderstood our article. He says:
."Our distinguished editor Of the Press and
Banner comes out in his editorials about non
qualified voters at cotton mills. Especially
when we elect men we wont bar school trus-
tees and they are not of bis GLASS. but we care
put good use In what Is the choice OF the ma
jority Of the people OF our town."
We had no thought Of ''non.qualified vo.
ters," and certainly said nothing Of them:
What we commented on was the fact that
the mill elected not only the represen tatives
on the school board from Its own ward, but
elected trustees or representatives for other
wards.
We made no reflection whatever upon any
voter, or any trustee, or any teacher, but we
stated facts, as we believe they exist. II the
voters from the mill do not elect trustees from
other wards than their own we would be glad
to be corrected.
The trustees are most excellent gentlemen,
against whom not one word OF disrespect has
The Superintendent is also q most excellent
young gentleman, against whose character
not word has been said. and we disclaim
any intention to be disagreeable to him or TO
them. Their official capacity is only an in
odent, and no part Of the injustice which the
| mill exercises toward the other wards OF the
town.
In reply to the correspondent who espouses
| the cause OF the mill people as against this
| newspaper, we ask his attention 10 these
| facts, Without comment II we err, we shall
thank him to correct US:
/. The Superintendent Of the graded school
is q kinsman OF the president OF the mill.
And no objection is made to him on that ac-
conpt.
posed to the reelection OF the Superintendent
| were removed from the board or trustees as
their terms expired, (mainly by the vote OF
the min operatives) and others were put In
8. The board OF trustees spend perhaps
| 81 900 on the town graded school, which Is
taught In splendid building.
| wooden shack, which is neith er ornam tai
nor comfortable. On the mill school perhaps
$500 is spent for teachers.
5. The school tax Of the mill, Its operatives
and It's officers amounts to perhaps $1,000 q
year.
8. The mill has felt such interest In the
election Of trustees, that the machinery was
der TO give the operatives an opportunity to
cast their ballots almost as q unit for trustees.
Some OF them. 1t is said. had type written
| tickets. or this. we do not know.
7. In other elections there is evidence of
Individuality OF ex preston and independence
OF thought, as Is shown by the divided vote,
instead Of solid vote.
s. The mill people elect the trustees, but
the town gets three-fourths OF the school
tax which is paid by the mill and Its depend
ents.
.. 1uc grievance vi lu0 Inlll people ID, LQ8L
they get so little OF the school money.
TO- The grievance OF the people of the town
is, that the mill, and not themselves, elect the
trustees from the different wards.
The above, we believe, are facts, but II We
have erred In single particular we will
hasten 70 make amends, II error Is pointed
out.
COMMENT.
The law. we believe, is defective, In that IL
gives the people of any ward the right to elect
representatives from another ward.
The spirit OF local self government is one Of
the cardinal doctrines OF our system of gov.
ernment