The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-12-18
SUPERINTENDENT MARTIN
ON COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

ON COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
State Superintendent of Education
o. B. Martin has completed the third
Of his articles which are to go in
his annual report to the general as
sembly. This chapter deals with COM
pulsory education and the proposed
law on that subject by South Caro-
lima. While no direct stand is taken
against the general good effects Of
the law, Mr.. Martin argues that there
should be better conditions than now
exist. He quotes report from West
Virginia, where the law is we'll en-
forced, which is Of general interest.
The article is as follows:
Compulsory attendance laws have
accomplished much desired results in
many states. The success of such
laws depends largely upon facilities
for enforcement. An ineffective, in
adequate, helpless law tends to bring
all law into disrepute. The provisions
for the enforcement Of the child labor
law in this state are meager and i'm
potent. Our school system is not
strong enough to endure the ridicule
and opprobrium that would come from
the non-enforcement or the ineffi-
cheney of a compulsory attendance act.
There is some logic in the argu-
ment that we should ego out into the
highways and hedges and compel them
to come in. Such an argument, how
ever, presupposes great preparation
ia great supper" If the state of
South Carolina has good sum of
money at this time which she can de-
vote to the education Of her children
she should certainly place such an
appropriation where it will do the
most good. Will that be in paying for
the enforcement Of a compulsory at
tendance law2 In some Of our coun-
ties the average salary Of teachers
(white) is but little more than
500. The buildings and equipment in
majority of such cases are in keep
ing with the salaries paid the teach
crs. The average salary OF teach
ers Of negro schools in some coun-
ties is higher than the average salary
Of the white teachers in others. |
mention this to show the extreme need
of thousands Of our children Of the
opportunities Of an education. 1t
would be folly to take any Of the
funds from a school which gets only
$l00 a year and use such part to en-
force compulsory education.
Of course there are wealthy coun-
ties and wealthy districts where a
compulsory attendance law might be
enforced successfully. I do not be-
licvc, however,, that a great state
should so manipulate its law Of its
finances as to have poverty and ig-
norancc to tax and educate themscl-
yes. If so, what advantagcth it them
to be citizens Of such state7 10 them
1t is not commonwealth.
The experiences Of other states
clearly establish some points in this
connection.
First. A compulsory attendance law
IS neither automatic nor self-enforc'
/, ing. LILY.
Second. Such a law has never been
3 successfully enforced by teachers OF
(. magistrates.
Third. 1t takes funds to provide
facilities and agencies for the en-
torcement Of such laws. .....
Fourth. 1t requires a we'll appoint
# 4 ed system Of truancy officers to dc
this work.
Compulsory attendance laws pre-
S% vail in all Of the states as far south as
~ Maryland and Kentucky. Macor
# county, In North Caroline, has . spe