The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1907-11-13
MISS MARY N
In CHARLESTON,
President of the State School Improve.
ment Association Makes Strong
Address to Large Gathering,

"Sht h''VSiauoh makes ouOnS
Address to Large Gathering.
A large and cultured audience Assem-
bled in the auditorium of the Memmin-
ger School yesterday and listened for
an hour and a half to an interesting ad-
dress by Miss Mary T. Nance, the
president of the State School Improve
ment Association, who described the
conditions that existed in this State in
educational matters, and made various
suggestions az to how these conditions
could be corrected, if there should be
concerted action by parents generally
along this line. Although the object
of the Association is principally for the
betterment Of the schools in the rural
districts, reference was made to the
city schools, which, iU was explained,
were also in need of improvement, es-
pecially in the matter of -accommoda-
tions for the children. Three things
were suggested for the Improvement
of the schools, viz, better school build
ings. better equipment and more
trained teachers, and these can Only be
accomplished, explained Miss Nance,
by increased taxation for school pur-
poses. The matter of consolidation of
schools was only mentioned casually, as
such a plan is not practicable in Charles
ton county. Miss Nance spoke from
personal experiences, she having tray
eled over most parts of the State and
having made a study Of conditions.
The address was much enjoyed, and
was listened to with undivided atten-
ton.
Miss Nance enumerated some of the
improvements that were needed in rural
schools, and suggested that libraries
were very important. cup to recent
years." said Miss Nance, ''no effort
was made to improve our rural schools.
In the matter of consolidation, which is
favored by State Superintendent Mar
tin, where there are a dozen arguments
in favor of it there is one against it.
Consolidation means better school
buildings, better equipment and longer
terms. If children in the city have
long terms, why not the children in the
country? Every child should have a
chance.
"1n the county Of Laurens, in which
/ was raised, and which / was taught
was n of thesmost cultured counties
in the State, ! recently had occasion to
travel, and had occasion to interview
five mothers, and they all met me bare
footed. There is no need to send mis-
sionaries to China when there is so
much missionary work needed at home.
You will find all over the State men
and women who never went to school,
and are unable to write. We must inn
prove our country schools. The best
teachers are needed in the country
schools, because it is harder to teach
in the country schools than in the city
schools" Miss Nance then described
some of the beauties of country life,
and said that the country was the most
delightful place to live in, and the best
place in which to raise children.
Miss Nance then asked If there were
any in the audience, other than teach
ers, who had eve visited the schools.
Several ladies Immediately arose, and
Miss Nance said that it was the first
time she had ever in all her travels
over the State come across any patrons
who had visited the schools, and that
she was bound to refer to the fact in
her future lectures .-Ncws and Courier.