The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-11-04

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interest Of economy to expend $1,000
a wear in each county to insure the
proper supervision and direction Of all
the money that is now being expended
in schools. This advanced step to
bring the country schools into system
cannot be taken except through State
action-the result of the combined
financial and intellectual power Of the
! State. I commend to the general as
senbly the plan Of county boards Of ed
ucation and expert superintendent Of
education set forth in the annual re-
ucation and expert superintendent of
education. .
We have long felt the need Of bet
for methods in agriculture in our State.
Farming is still the chief basis Of Our
: prosperity, and any expenditure that
can make the farms more productive
and farm life more attractive to the
masses Of the white people in South
! Carolina would be a blessing to the
present and future generations. There
is an alarming exodus from the
trv to the town. The lands are in
some sections being deserted to the
negroes. The sturdy yeomanry who
have Deer the strength and pride of
South Carolina must be preserved or
! the Clldl dSlCl VI Jul SkolS llCy w A"3
icallv changed for the worse. We
need to make the farms not only more
productive, but in every way possible
more attractive to the women and
children, if we are to check this migra-
ton to town. Better educational IA
cilities in the country are the great
need, and not merely better common
schools, but high schools giving train
ing for the duties of life in the
trv and developing a taste and love
for rural surroundings and labors. I
commend the plan for home schools
for girls and farm schools for boys
recommended by the State s~uperinten-
lent Of education in his annual re-
port. This offers a practical solution
of the problem. These schools would
be inexpensive and could be easily
provided. There is no public expen-
diture that would bring such large re-
turns for the small outlay. If this
legislature will seriously take up the
matter, it may inaugurate a new epoch
in the industrial and social life Of
South Carolina. I urge legislation
permitting each county to vote upon
itself a tax not exceeding 2 mills for
such schools and providing the proper
machinery for the management, to-
gether with q legislative %appropria-
ton to provide the plant for the first
county voting the extra tax for the
support.
The professor of pedagogy in South
Carolina college has addressed a COM
munication to the board expressing
his dissatisfaction with the present
attendance in that department, and
urging that the scholarships be made
OF some financial value so as to en-
able men teachers to pursue the
there as contemplated in the act pro-
viding these scholarships two to a
county. 1t is in line with the urgent
recommendation of the State superin-
tendent Of education in his report that
the legislature provide supporting
scholarships for some women teachers
in Winthrop college and men teachers
in South Carolina college, I commend
this to the general assembly.
The conference Of trustees Of the
State colleges has recommended an
appropriation Of $1,000 annually to
provide postgraduate scholarships in
the South Carolina college, the bene-
f~ciaries to be selected by the several
State colleges and other colleges in
the State Of approved standing from
among their respective graduates
one from each co~llege-making about
WA pANNSN ~ polo AitS3iN
studies in Columbia. This would be
the beginning of a policy to coordinate
the work of the several colleges in
the State, and must result in better
understanding and more effective CO.
operation. The provision Of these
scholarships would be a stimulus to
higher learning. I can hardly think
OF a direction in which SO small an
expenditure would be so fruitful Of
benefits. The executive committee Of
the conference will memorabilia the
legislature giving the plan more in
detail. I commend the policy to the
approval of your honorable body.
The average number Of weeks Of
the school term in 50 out Of 40 counties,
was p for the whites and 1927 for
colored schools.
SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE.
This honored institution continues to
measure up to the high standard Of
efficiency which it has maintained dur
ing the past hundred years. It's affairs
are wisely administered. and the emf
nently successful, useful and honor
able careers Of its graduates empha-
size the wisdom Of the State in con-
tlnulng its maintenance. The college
now has 203 students, who are work.
ing earnestly and tremendously with
their professors. and there is good rea-
son to hope that this year may add
an emlnently successful one to it's his
tory. An appropriation of at least
$4,000 will be asked. For further and
detailed information I refer you to the
report Of the board Of trustees.
WINTHROP NORMAL AND INDUS
TRIAL COLLEGE.
There is no more important institu-
ton in the State than Winthrop col
g It's vital Importance consists in
the fact that it educates and rains the
future mothers and teachers Of the
state. 1t is now universally recognized
tnat II a people are to be educated and.
therefore. great and influential, the
women Of that people must be edu-
Gated. An educated mother means edu-
Gated children. Women are the natu-
raj teachers Of children and Winthrop
college is doing a great service to the
state by giving a professional train
ing to these natural teachers. The col
lege has sent out 416 graduates in its
snort ~life-earnest, devoted women,
most Of whom are teaching in this
state and by their work and example
are elevating the tone end standard or
the common schools. The college has
reached and benefited a great many
more girls than this. however. Dur
ring the past sever and a half years
there have been enrolled in the depart
ment Of sewing. dressmaking and mil
merry a56 students. through whom the
a IuisslrSIs reached at least 300 homes