The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-02-20

"N'"'i ~t'cHudncc uurlnB l9pV fOl
these States are: Louisiana, 37.9 per
cent; South Carolina, 41.2 per cent.
North Carolina, 45.9 per cent; New
York, $3.50 per cent; Iowa, GAP Der
cent. For negro children: Louisiana,
1871 per cent; South Carolina, 25.5
per cent; North Carolina, S5 per
cent; New York, 41.5 per cent; Iowa,
53.5 per cent.
These figures show the relative DO
sition of South Carolina among some
of her sister States. The State shows
the second largest percentage of IL
literacy. The best evidence that this
status will remain unchanged is seen
in the percentage Of school attend
ance- In this respect the State ranks
second lowest OF the white children
eligible to the schools ALP per cent is
In attendance; of the negro children
25.5 per cent. Louisiana shows the
highest illiteracy. with 37.s per cent.
and 1877 per cent white and negro
children respectively in school.
The cause Of South Carolina g
illiteracy is evident. TO my mind the
only absolutely certain and perma-
nent remedy is compulsory education
South Carolina has done we'll by her
citizens. She deserves much consid-
Grafton. Her struggle has been a diff
ficult, but noble one. Her progress
has been remarkable, but 1t may be
greater. To attain this let the State
enact a compulsory education law
Her children have been offered an ed
ucation. For various reasons this, by
many, has been refused. The next
step should be compulsion. Objec-
tion Is raised that compulsion is un-
fair. unjust. unconstitutional, etc. We
do not wish to impugn the motives OF
anyone making objections. These OBJ
jections may be valid from "a present
short-time economic view, but take q
broader view, the good in the Ions
run. the permanent contribution tc
the general well-Oeing. Fear in mind
that what Is a hardship for the pres.
ent will. in the future. be permanent
good. A State, as an individual
should at all times be unselfish, but
not always kind. "An injudicious
kindness is often the greatest unkind
ness"
A personal observation of this I.
not untimely. While in the office o
clerk of court and register of Mesnt
Conveyance Of my native State ant
county recently a stout, robust farm.
er applied for a renewal of his GER
ti1cate of registration. He was una,
BILE to present his old certificate. HI
evidently had regarded his enrollmen
on his precinct club as equivalent t.
registration. The applicant was en-
titled to register anew, under either
the educational or the property quail
fication clause. He was unable t.
do either. A man of perfect physique
and yet disfranchised because h,
was ignorant! The greatest kindnes,
to this man would have been an un
kindness.-so say some objectors t
compulsory education.-had he beer
forced to obtain at least a grammar
school education during his boyhood
few years. in youth, under ths
bonds of an educational training, 1.
compensated manifold times in afte,
years. Unkind compulsion in thi.
case is the greatest kindness.
Another objection commonly offer
ed is that the widowed mother need,
the aid of the boy or girl in suppor
Of the family.
1t Is unfortunate for the income
earning member of the family to bt
taken. The children often are the
great sufferers. To these children So
ciety owes protection. Efficient chill
dren develop into efficient men ant
women. To permit them to go to the
factories early in life, thus neglectins
their education. is laying the ground
work for dependents, detectives, ant
delinquents. Without education theil
income-earning capacity is limited
their usefulness as citizens is narrow
ed. If not totally destroyed. Let mt
~ lie this suggestion as the wise rem
edy in the widowed mother" case
Put the child in school until his in
come-earning capacity is increased
and support the mother, or supple
ment her income with q sum equal t.
that earned by the child during thi
period. Results from this will be ar
educated boy. greater capacity o.
self-development, larger income, s