The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-03
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COMPULSORY rDUUATIOH.
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COMPULSORY rDUOATIOH.
South Carolina needs compulsory
sducation law, and for many good and
sufficient reasons it should come Just as
soon as possible.
No one who loves his State, and has
her welfare at heart, will dispute the
fact that every white child within the
bounds of the State should receive a
common school education. 1t was with
this end in view that our free common
school system was established. No one
can dispute the fact that there are
white children growing up in all parts
of the State who can neither read nor
write, who have never attended school
for single day. Only the other day
q case was brought to light in one Of
our upper counties. In a preliminary
trial white girl nine years of age was
put upon the witness stand. Upon ex-
animation she made the statement that
she could neither read nor write, nor
had she ever heard of the existence of
\ God. Three school houses and num-
ber of churches were within easy walk
ing distance from her home.
The greatest objection that has
hitherto been urged against the passage
OF compulsory education law in this
State is that the negroes will be forced
to school, and from school they will go
to the ballot box, and when they go to
the ballot box negro supremacy will be
the inevitable result. The fallacy OF
this argument is patent to every
thoughtful man who is in touch with
the true conditions. 1t is fact that
can be proved by statistics that the ne
groes are at present being educated
faster than the whites, that during the
decade from 1890 to 1900 the decrease
in the percentage of their illiteracy in
this State was nearly three times as
great as the decrease in the illitcracy
of the whites. The negroes are taking
advantage of every opportunity to get
an education. They prefer it to food
and raiment, and they are making re,
markable strides.
II these facts are true, and they arc
true, what would be the u ult of com.
pulsory education? The egroes al
present are taking all the education
they can get. They would receive nc
more. The white people who sec the
incalculably great advantages of ar
education, and who are already sending
their children to school would not bc
affected in the least. Only, those per.
sons would be reached, who by dep,@v-
ing their children of an education, ar,
daily committing crime against theil
State and against society.
Let it be supposed, however. that the
negroes would receive additional adj
vantages. Shall we let the white chill
dren remain in ignorance for fear the
negroes will receive an education? Tho
TACT can not be too strongly impressed
upon our people that it were better that
a Thousand negroes should be educated
with negro supremacy staring us in the
face, than that one white child should
remain in ignorance.
We plead for the education of the
'N'' iSC VIC consequences be what
they may. No one doubts that it is
right. From the white mans stand.
point, we believe that it is expedient.
IN connection with the question OF
compulsory education comes that of
child labor. There is little doubt there
is going to be child labor legislation ir
TINS State, and that it is coming at the
next session Of the legislature. Tn,
children will be kept out of the mills.
When this is done, they must be re-
quired to attend school. Compulsory
education will result.
The best solution of the whole matte,
is wise and just compulsory education
law. Give us this, and we will need no
child labor legislation. The children of
the mills, and all the children of the
State between certain ages, will be re-
qulred to attend school. Then, and
then only, will South Carolina have
taken the position she should occupv
among the galaxy Of States.