The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-03-04
THE PETITION SHOULD BE SIGNED.

sign the petition being circulated for
the submitting to q vote the question
Of issuing bonds to the amount Of
$4,000 to build and equip the new
school building on the lot which has
been bought for that purpose. If the
failure to obtain the signatures Of a
sufficient number Of frechclders up to
this time is due to dissatisfaction with
the location Of the lot, the trustees,
who unIucstionably have had and
still have the best interests Of all at
heart, arc being badly treated and at
the expense Of the progress Of the
children Of the town. These trustees
were elected as the representatives Of
the people. They arc from among
the leading citizens and they are hon
est. They have selected the lot with
special reference to center Of popu-
%lation, after honestly considering the
advantages and disadvantages Of many
lots offered to them. This much Of
the matter is settled and the people
should 80 regard it. Many Of us would
have been better pleased with some
other location, this writer among
others, but the decision Of the trustees
outweighs individual opinion.
The necessities for bringing this
matter promptly to a vote are great.
The central school, for example, was
designed originally for u soating ca
pacity Of only 400. The enrolment
Of pupils has for some time been over
600, with an average attendance Of 50
per cent. Every grade is crowded and
several are divided into sections in
order that they may be taught. ~
visit to this school will develop tho
fact that faithful and efficient work is
being done, but under many Difficult
ties. The teachers are forcing pro-
gross, moulding humanity, aiding des-
tiny, but it is slow and laboriousfo for both
teachers and pupils.
The parents should see that there
are fewer stones in the roadway that
leads to success. 1t is we'll enough to
be active in business, investing and
accommodating, but there is a higher
duty due our children than the mere
accumulation ofmoncy for their benefit.
If rich they may get through life, but
what Of humanity, Of good, Of harm in
such a life without wisdom or knowl.
edge. There is but little honor in an
Inherited career, The little tots and
barefoot boys Of today should be given
every opportunity possible, under the
most favorable conditions possible, to
rise by the aid Of their brains, and
taught th.t no power on earth can
keep those down who want TO be an
honor to themselves and an aid to
humanity.
Pleasant and healthful surroundings
for children mean better brains and
stronger bodies. No more satisfac-
tory returns should be wanted on dol
lars invested than these. The child
best equipped with health and a good
store of knowledge has the best chance
to win in life in any vocation. Riches
too often take wings. "How much
better is it to get wisdom than gold"
To issue bonds Tor this school build.
ing does not mean 8 b~urdensome in.
crease Of taxation. It means, at most,
q reasonable advantage to the children
to facilitate the training Of their
minds. They will pay the bonds.
One-half Of one mill additional tax to
pay the interest and create a small
sinking fund is all the parents are
asked to pay. The training we the
children will be we'll equipped to take
care Of the bonds.
Anderson should BIO proud Of her
splendid public school system. 1t is
not cqualled BY any in the State.
Interest in these schools should be
MaHiAColC0 Wy AlCIuCuI NiSito ny cscfS
parent and indeed by every taxpayer.
This would enable them to see and
appreciate the progress being made by
their educators, and how they arc ham
pered and how the children are ham
pered and their health menaccd by
crowded rooms. They would find in
every grade an educator whose quali6-
cations and temperament fit him-or
her-for the grade. They would be
brought to realize, too, that while in
dustrial development and fertile soil
are making Anderson famous, far more
than all these is the power Of the
public schools.