The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-01-12

promptly sent to me, and the tho
rough manner in which this most
important subject has been treated
includes some very gratifying state
ments. 1t cannot be urged too Of
ten that We have no more RESPONSE
bic duty than is involved in the full
and complete development Of our
educational system. Not only does
{ this mean the proper training for
highest citizenship, but it means al
SO that South Carolina must and
shall keep pace with the advance
made throughout our country in ed
ucational matters.
Better schools, more Of them and
school Improvement generally from
! the smallest old field schoolhouse to
the last detail of Our largest insti-
tutions, these should command Our
time, Our personal attention and our
money.
l. shall only call your attention
briefly to some of the salient feat
ures of this subject, such as are i'll
cluded in Superindent Martins re-
port.
: From the small appropriation
made for free rural libraries have
grown results that are forcible and
striking. More than 600 libraries
have been established, and $4,000
represents the amount expended.
This not only means much in the
real value of good to be accom-
plished, but it shows willingness
on the part of the people to aid
themselves when you give them a
good beginning.
More than 100 new schoolhouses
were erected during the last scho-
lastic year, and your Act for this
purpose did not become fully effec-
tive until near the close of the
term. Even better results can be
safely relied upon from this. source
d,1rinor the present school year.
! The Superintendent's report
shows a scarcity Of high schools in
our public school system, a fact
which this interested worker most
naturally regrets. Strong figure:
are presented in this connection
and 7 commend to your most care
ful consideration the figures ane
reasons which are shown to bea1
upon this department. OF pubht
school work.
I Join heartily in the reconamen
dations made by Superintendent
Martin for the purpose Of remedy
ing this defect, and beg to cal
them specifically to your attention
In the establishment of free rura
libraries, the people have show1
what wisdom prompted your ac'
tons in making even a small appro'
priation. In voting to tax them
selves for the establishment O:
school districts, this same spirit fa:
been shown and | believe that it viii
be again manifested with strong
practical results, should this mat
!; ter receive from you the recognl'
ton asked for.
It was most gratifying to me tt
: note an increase in the average sal
: ; ary paid to teacfers-my only re-
, gret is that this was not very rnvtcf
larger than. the amount recorded
These are not only faithful work
ers, with grave responsibilities. bu
they must needs be trained, cultl
! vated and intelligent. and 1t Woule
be most gratifying to me to SCI
, them paid such salaries as woul<
to some appreciable extent be com
,, mensurate with the value OF tn
services rendered. Superintendent
Martins report shows that tn
, years has had good results, and ;
= study of its details will clearly re
: veal increased interest in the grea
l cause of education throughout ou
State, and this interest among on
people may certainly be classeF
: among the greatest resources o
thic GREAT work.