The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-04-28
Mr. Cooper Replies to "Voter."

l dislike newspaper CouIlo 'eisy
since | have reached maturer years,
but as the official head of the pub
lie educational interest of my county
and feeling that under ''Voter's"
charges l owe a courteous official
explanation to the fair minded peo-
pie of the county and a respectful
consideration for the opinion of
"Voter", who has charged Inc with
dereliction of duty in the school
book matter, / most sincerely and
respectfully beg to say that | have
used my best efforts at all times to
supply the demand for books, but
have not at times had all of the
books just when called for, ON ac-
count of the rapid sale of some
copies, yet l plead not guilty to the
charge of intentional dereliction.
Aud just here if "Voter" will get a
copy of the school law which / shall
be glad to give him, as 1 en- not
Say that l especially admire this
way of throwing bricks and hiding
your hand but prefer an open polit-
zeal antagonist to pretended sfriend)
and if he will read the whole Of Sec.
1889 think he will find that aul
not required to supply unusual de-
mands with the means allowed but
the law requires ME to keep Office
open each day of the week prior to
the time appointed for schools to
open, and one week Immediately
thereafter, and (and the time for
opening and closing schools is fixed
by the county board of education;
see Sec. 1928 page 2O) for at least
one day in each week during the
remainder of the school term for the
convenience of those wishing to pu'-
chase books. But l have done more.
1 have had Mr. H O Britton, who
lives in Kingstree, to furnish books
every day of the week save Sunday,
for which help had to pay him,
"Voter" says he has applied three
different times for some of the books,
which / regret; but if "Voter" will
allow ME l beg to inform him that
the line of text books have to be
purchased from several different
book houses located in Richmond,
Va, Chicago, New York, Boston and
Philadelphia and it takes from five
to seventeen days for books 10 reach
here, if not side tlacted. And just
here / beg to say that if the State
board of education had to have re-
quired the numerous book houses to
establish two or three general depos-
itories in the State, say one in
Charleston, one in Columbia, and
one in Greenville, where the entire
line could be secured. then this un-
necessary delay IN transit would
have been overcome and / would
have been spared this communica-
ton. If "Voter's" attack upon my
unfaithfullness of duty in the book
matter was prompted by political
significance either for himself or
some one that he prefers to see Sill.
perintendent of education rather
than myself, why l am perfectly will
ling that the justice-loving people of
the county whom l have honestly serv
ed decide. and rest assured # they Sc
lect some one else, l will with all
the grace of a gentleman submit
aud not prove ungrateful for past
confidence bestowed in me. | con-
slider that ''Voter" has done me an
injustice in resorting to news paper
attack upon me, before giving me
an opportunity to satisfy him in this
matter, but l am a public servant
and my public work is their prop
erty and it is open and. ready for
inspection and | am proud of it.
In, conclusion l beg to say that it
is the opinion of Assistant Attorney
general Townsend the dog tax will
be collected the coming year, and
after July 1st l can estimate on the
dog tax for the benefit Of the school
children, eh?' WILLIAM COOPER.
Kingstree, S. c., April rs, 1904.