The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-06-28
STATE NEEDS BETTER SCHOOLS
Improvement Made, But Much Re-
mains to be Done ne-Educational
/ Campaign Committee Issues
= .@ an Address. -.

"Review and Outlook,'' which is to
be soon distributed in pamphlet form
in the interest Of the work that is
being done under the direction Of this
committee. AS recently reorganized,
under the administration Of Cover
nor Ansel, this committee consists OF
Governor Ansel, Superintendent o.
B. Martin, President D. B. Johnson,
Of Winthrop college; President T. N.
Snyder, Of Wofford College, and Prof.
w. H. Hand, of the University Of
South Carolina.
The address is as follows:
Review and Outlook.
On April II, 1908, conference was
held in the Senate chamber Of South
Cardinals Capitol. This conference
was composed of sixty-five earnest
men, who have devoted much of their
time and lives to educational endeav-
or. It was declared that better schools
in the rural districts are Of "supreme
Importance to the Commonwealth. -
A committee was appointed to con-
duct campaign to arouse popular
interest in education, and certain
Wines Of work were indicated. This
conference has been enlarged, and it
/, now asks the interest and co-opera-
!, ton Of the people, in order that the
Swork already begun may be pushed
with greater vigor, and also that et-
fective efforts may be made In new
fields.
The objects outlined in 1908 were:
More local taxation, better training
and payment Of teachers, expert su-
pervision, longer school terms, better
schools and the improvement OF school
houses and grounds. While there is
much to be done, yet we have some
cause for qualification because OF
what has been accomplished thus Tar.
At that time about 25O districts
levied local tax; now the number ap-
proaches 500, which is nearly one
third of the districts in the state.
The average annual salary of white
teachers has increased from T203 TO
$253, O. gain Of $50. Our colleges,
summer schools, reading circles and
teachers' associations have done much
to make our teachers more efficient.
The average salary Of county sup
erintendents has increased from $574
40 to $694.40. Several county super
intendents have their salaries raised
in recognition of their earnestness
and efficiency in their work.
The average length Of the school
term has increased nearly a month.
Consolidation of schools has been
tried with excellent results IN many
parts Of the state.
Nearly a thousand school houses
have been built during the past four
years. Many Of these houses are very
Valuable. At least half million dol
lars have been spent in this way. This
does not take into account the nun
,lreds of improvements which have
been made in repairs, equipment, IL
braries, pictures and other essentials
of better school houses.
It is worthy of note, also, that near
ly 1000 libraries have been establish
ed in rural schools during the past
four years. This means at least lO0,-
600 we'll selected books in places
where few opportunities existed be-
fore. There has also been a library
movement in the cities and towns.
One of the most helpful agencies
for South Cardinals good is the
School Improvement Association.
This is an organization mainly Of wo-
men, which has as its object the beau
tifying Of school houses and grounds.
This is noble work, and it is being
well DONE There are more than
thousand members, and the Associa-
ton is growing. Many schools are
more attractive because of the labors
of these devoted women, and yet their
work is but fairly begun.
This committee rcjoices in the i'm
provements which our people have
made, and it also desires to make
few suggestions in regard to the
continuation and enlargement OF this
entire work. There are yet more than
a thousand school districts where
local tax would mean better school
facilities and more interest on the
part Of the people. There are many
districts in which it is impossible to
maintain good schools with only the
,o,,t;4,,t;ono] Q mill TOW Such dis