The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1906-10-31
IS IT CORRUPTION OR IGNORANCE ,

IsiT CORRUPTION OR IGNORANCE
Not long since we had occa-
sion to have something to say
about the frequent change in the
school books, which is the source
of much complaint on the part
Of parents, besides a heavy tax.
Several of our contemporaries
have taken notice of our com.
ments, and concede the same
complaints exist With them, out
thev do not believe there Is any
corruption. The Laurens Ao-
yertiser says that We must nave
some GOOD ground for our sus,
nicion of graft, OF we would not
7ntjmate it. Our position is sim
NV this: The law provides for a
State adoption of school books
for the pubic schools, several
adoptions have been made, and
each adoption has brought about
so many changes that those who
are forced to purchase these
books cannot understand the
necessity for so many changes;
it frequently happens that books
adopted by the State Board are
discarded and other books re-
ouired instead. The conclusion
is. one Of two things, either the
State Boards have been lncom-
pe!ent and permitted the book
publishers to palm off worthless
books on them, or an unlawful
influence is exercised-lncom-
potency or corruption, the effect
is the same upon the masses.
1t does not take much ooser.
walton to note the number OF
representatives the publishing
houses have looking after the
sale Of their school books, and
it frequently happens that these
representatives are men OF poll,
tical influence. We recollect per-
fectly well, at one time just be-
fore a new adoption how the
representatives of publishing
houses lavishly entertained IN
Columbia prominent politicians,
they also retained lawyers, mem
hers of the general assembly,
who would advocate the books
they represented. It was these
incidents which created the sus-
picion of graft-somebody was
being influenced, and the pur-
chasers of school books were
made to dance to the music.
We would not cast a reflection
upon any member of the State
Board, they are all men of high
regulations, and we believe they
would be glad to have their
transactions investigated, not
only the present board, but the
acts of ali Of the boards should
be looked into. The fact Of men
having high regulations should
not make them Immune from in
vestigation; men Of high reputa-
tions can only reach positions OF
great trust, and how frequent IS
il that we learn of such men be-
traving the trusts reposed IN
them: for example, take the
great insurance frauds, men OF
high regulations were found to
be pilfering the policy-holders.
Mitchell and Burton, members
of the United States Senate, one
died a convict, the other now IN
jail serving sentence-high rep
utations. Look into conditions
in this State, the dispensary in
vestigating committee found
strong evidence of graft, not
only among the officials of the
institution, but allied with them
men of high regulations inter
ested in glass works, and rail-
roads.
We would not favor an ordi-
nary investigation of our school
book adoptlons, the investlga-
tors made up of members Of the
legislature, but if an investiga-
ton is to be gone into, the At
torney General should be en-
powered to employ men com:
petent for the task, and then II
it turns out there is no corrupt
ion, but the expensive blunders
in selecting the books is the re-
suit O. ignorance, the investiga-
ton will be a good investment,
as it points out a remedy for the
future.
Whether or not there will be
an investigation we know not,
nor have we any evidence to de-
mand one, other than the circum,
stance of frequent changes which
we regard unnecessary, ana
from the circumstances we think
there is strong evidence Of cor
,,,,,tion or Ignorance.