The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-14
DOES EDUCATION PAY?
Every Mother and Father Should
Read the Statistics Below.

Every Mother and Father Should
Read the Statistics Below
The following article was published
in a recent number Of the Southern
Cultivator. We hope every mother
and father will read it.
With all reasonable people, especial
| ~ those who have given the subject Of
education any thought, the caption OF
this article has long since ceased to be
question. The fewest number of peo-
pie there are who really believe, or
pretend to believe education does not
pay: and they are what are commonly
called cranks, (using the word in no
offensive sense, nr slaves to prejudice
ignorance.
But while the intellectual assent,
that education does pay, is almost uni
versal. there is large class OF people
who, by their actions and spirit Of
indifference, manifest a decided lack
Of faith in it's utility. This is shown
in the small enrolment, and still
smaller attendance, in our schools. 1t
is shown in the general poor educa-
tional facilities we are satisfied to give
our children. It is shown in the
stolid opposition to every step toward
improvement, especially if money is
required or any personal sacrifice de-
maDded. It is shown in thousand
ways in lack of sympathy and CO.
operation on the part OF some patrons
towards those who are striving, even
against mighty odds, to better the edu,
caGional advantages Of the children.
And this lack Of interest, sad to re-
late, is found almost wholly in the
rural districts In the towns and
cities, where the schools are largely
supported by local taxpayers, the work
is not so badly hampered. The peo-
pie here are exempt from thousand
and one disadvantages that confront
people of the country, and their chill
dren attend school more regularly.
But these obstacles, apparently SC
great, are by no means, impregnable.
II moved by an intense interest in the
cause; if inspired by an intelligent
comprehension Of the true value OF
education: and if drawn on by an
abiding and growing desire to have
their children properly prepared for
life, the people could and would easily
overcome these difficulties.
Bishop Caniler having been asked
if be thought education would benefit
a certain class Of people, replied, Yes
education will help an old hound dog"
Then, let US not despair, my country
men. Let US labor on. We give be-
low a few statistics illustrating the
practical value OF education:
According to an estimate made from
the latest census returns there are in
the United States 40, 1920 people
over twenty-one years old. These are
divided educationally about as follows
Glass l. Without school training,
1862, 1913.
Class ?. With only common school
training, 81, S62, o9l.
Glass 3. With common and high
school training, 2,165,357.
Class 4. With college or higher
education added, 1,091, POI.
Who's Who in America gives a list
Of 5000 persons now living in the
United. States who have become
famous for some work Of Importance
to the people of the country at large
or of some considerable portion OF it:
and an effort has been made to de-
mine how many Of these 5000 dis
tinguished citizens belong to each Of
these classes.
The 4,6S2, 1913 of class furnish 81.
The 32,S62,591 of class 2 furnish
sos.
The 2,155,357 of class 8 furnish
1,245.
The 1,o71, POI Of class 4 furnish
5,76S.
1t thus appears:
1st. That an uneducated child
has one chance in 100000 Of attaining
distinction as a FACTOR IN the progress
Of the age.
2nd. That common school educa-
tion will increase his chances nearly 4
times.
Sd. That a high school training
will increase the chances Of the COM
mon school boy % times, giving him
81 times the chance Of the uneducated.
4th. That a college education in
creases the chances Of the high school
boy nine times, giving bim 2l9 times
the chances of the common school boy
and more than 500 times the chance
Of the unframed.
1t is a surprising fact that Of 1852
"notables" thus gathered together
4,s1O proved to be full graduates OF
colleges? n. B. DENNIS.