The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-12-14
UNION COUNTY TEACHERS
ASSOCIATION.
Purpose, the Improvement of Rural
SChOOlS-Meeting Held in Central
School BuiIding-Deep Interest,"
Full Attendance of TedCherS--A
Number of Visitors Present.

The meeting was called to or
der by Prof. S. NJ. Rice for the
president, Mrs. Cora \. Murphy.
The assembly joined in singing,
"America." after which the asso-
citation was led in PRAYER by Rev.
l.. Nj. Rice.
Prof. Jetferies delivered wei
come address to the association
The speaker showed that the
part OF woman in past and pres
ent i'll helping every good cause,
was one of the greatest factors.
The hope OF the future depends
upon our children. The teachers
for the rural schools should be
improved, and they are being i'm
proved. The teachers now
promptly receive their pay. The
teachers and friends were cor
daily welcome.
Hon. ID. b. lant was next in
troduced. He spoke upon the
financial status of the school sit
uation. There is not one out
standing claim unpaid. This out
of funds collected last year. I'm
ion county was, when he took
charge. one year behind Be
sides. the school houses and their
equipment have been vastly I'M
proved. Teachers should be
paid more. Their salary is too
small. Then. too. it is unfortu-
nate that SO many Young girls arc
teaching. The Legislature should
make it a law that teachers
should be twenty-onc years OF
age. Every school district i'll the
county has money to run on a
cash basis.
State Superintendent of Edu-
cation, Hon. O. B. Martin. was
introduced and addressed the
meeting. The meeting here to-
day may seem small in numbers.
but there are enough people
to change the history of Union
county" said Mr.. Martin. "Therc
is no work that affords better op-
portunity to do good in than the
work of teaching. This county
is especially ripe for the work OF
the association for the improve
ment of the rural schools. The
question of money is settled
that makes it easy to go forward
with the improvements" \ pic
ture of school before and after
community was drawn. The
picture greatly complimented
the women of that community.
The work of the church is some
thing that we all desire to see
carried on. Training the chill
dren in the rural schools produc-
es the material to do just that
thing. There are in the State
something like 1000 schools.
There should be not more than
200 or 1000. These very weak
schools should be consolidated :
better equipment and better re-
suits could thus be secured. \
certain Judge in this State was
heard to say that he taught
school for years and had prac-
ticed law IS years. and felt that
he had done more i'll the years
than he had in the IS. Let
us not. then. feel that this work
is insignificant. Bcautify the
school house and grounds. One
of the first things to do is to get
la library. There should also be
pictures on the walls: the bare
walls are SO dreary. There should
be improved desks. If | were
back i'll the country again teach
ing. ! think would put $50 in a
kit OF tools and a work bench.
This outfit. put, off in a side
room. could be used to put some
Iof the great. big. over-grown
boys in there to work off the sur
plus energy. and through this
means [ might get hold of him
and be able to do him good"
Let me close by saying that
your work is one that is worthy
of your best effort. 1t is an op-