The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-12-17
EDUCATIONAL REPORT.
State Superintendent Martin Gives
Out Interesting Figures.

the hands Of the State printer and will
be issued at an early date. The report
this year is unusually lengthy but is
full of useful information and statis-
ties.
Mr.. Martin. in his Introductory re-
marks along the line of school develop
ment in South Carolina, says that lin
some districts the schools run only a
short while, the houses are i'll adapted
and inadequate, the furniture and
equipment rude and incomplete. some
OF the children are not in school at all,
and yet these districts have surplus
i'll the treasury. Manifestly these peo-
pie need to be aroused. They need more
and better sentiment. In other dis
tricts," says Mr.. Martin, ''the cond!-
tions are almost as bad but the people
realize the need and are trying to i'm
prove. They need money. To equalize
the desired results the conferences in
the spring planned a systematic agita-
ton through public speeches and the
press
Mr.. Martin calls attention to the
work of the Southern Educational
beard AMI to the model school that
they have established at Heath Springs,
and adds, "the Southern States have
rot received their proper share of the
great gifts for education. Twenty-Five
per cent. Of the population OF our
country should receive farger proper
ton than 8 per cent. of the general
contributions to education" The death
OF the late DR.. ]. l.. NJ. Curry, general
agent Of the Peabody fund, is touched
upon, and the fact that with the dis
continuation of the scholarships at the
Peabody college in Nashville South
Carolina will lose great benefits.
The summer schools for teachers
showed enrolment as follows: State
schools, enrolment 312, average 231;
county schools, enrolment 1,2l4, aver
age 9l9; district schools, enrolment
S,727, average 542. The district schools
were for negro teachers and were II in
number, while the schools for white
teachers numbered Al. The income for
summer schools was reduced $500, as
tie Peabody fund amounted to S1,4OO
instead of $1,000 as heretofore. Much
credit" says Mr.. Martin, for the sue
cess OF the summer school work is due
NY distinguished predecessor, for the
present plan and organization are
largely due to his zeal and ability"
The superintendent Of education be-
lieves that the general assembly should
pass a general act as to the issuance OF
bonds for school purposes, and thus
avoid the trouble Of special acts when
such need arises in district. Mr.. Mar
tin also remarked on the fact that
when a district wishes 10 levy a special
tax it must be done practically be-
tween January / and June l, and sug-
gests that the limit be extended to
September l.
Numerous requests" says Mr.. Mar
tin, "haye come to this department.
from Citadel beneficaries asking to
be released from their bonds on the
grounds that they are unable to secure
positions to teach for two years, as Is
required by law. The act seems to
leave some discretion with this depart
ment, but | have construed it to mean
that the beneficiary is really expected
TO perform the service Indicated or
otherwise redeem his bond. The State
has the right to expect some return for
her investment along this line."
One Of the most interesting subjects
dealt with by Mr.. Martin is the dispen-
sary law as applicable to the schooi
revenue. He says:
Section 1885 Of the code provides:
All net income derived by the State
from the sale Of liquors in this State,
under the dispensary law, shall be ap-
portioned among the various counties
Of this State, for the benefit OF the
common schools, in proportion to the
deficiencies existing in the various
countries Of this State, after the ap-
plication of the mills tax and the poll
tax, to run the public schools Tor the
item fixed in section 1898 (three
months): and il there shall be sur
plus of such net income after such de-
fciencies have been equalized, it shall
be devoted to public school purposes
and be apportioned among the coun-
ties in proportion to the enrolment IN
the public schools.
while the intent and purpose OF
this statute are no doubt good, yet IN
its effect really believe it Is injurious.
|. encourages small schools and puts
a premium on poverty. This fund IS &c,
tually the only real State school funo
we have except the small income from
the permanent school fund, as the
3-miils tax and the poll tax are really
district funds, and therefore 1t seems
to me that the State ought to use part
of this fund for the purpose OF stimu-
lating effort and encouraging Forward
movements. / learn from reports sent
to the comptroller general that Is
counties scattered throughout the state
do not get any funds whatever on ac-
count of deficiencies. get less than
$500, - more than 500 but less than
$500 5 get more than $4,000 and less
tban 81, 900, 4 get more than $1,000 and
less than 1000 and l gets more tnan
5000.
"This is evidently not equitable. and
my observation convinces me that it
is not best for many Of the districts
which receive the help, because 1t leads
to formation Of more schools chiefly |
to get the additional funds.
AS to rural school libraries Mr.. Mar |
tin says that an appropriation OF So |
900 would start II new Libraries in each
county. He believes that it would be |
wise to allow trustees to spend per
cent. of their funds in the purchase OF |