The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-08-11
EDUCATIONAL MEETING.
MANNING HAS ENTHUSIASTIC
AND HELPFUL RALLY.
Much Interest Displaycd-PcOplc
From Nearly Every Section of
County listen to Speakers Pleas
For Schools.

Manning. Aug. 6.-AThe educational
rally meeting was held here today in
the auditorium of the new graded
school building and was fairly well
attended. Great interest was mani
tested. Nearly all sections of the
county were represented.
The meeting was called to order by
Prof E. j. Browne. superintendent of
education of Clarendon County. who
made short talk on the condition Of
the schools under his jurisdiction. He
then troduced Mr.. w. C. Davis. a
member of the Board of Trustees of
the local school.
Mr.. Davis said that It was no long,
er necessary to use argument to con-
vince people Of the need Of education
and that II was one of those good
things to be had only by being paid
eor and that II had been proved that
the most practical way Of paying was
by taxation. His idea is that to get
the best result from these taxes that
there should be only one school in
each district, that 1t should be In the
centre and the districts should be
small. comprising not more than q
radius Of four miles. He also made
some valuable and equitable collec-
ton of school taxes.
=, Superintendent Browne next intro
duced Mr.. A. H. Gasaue. County su-
perintendent Of Education OF Flor
ence County. Mr.. Gasque spoke
briefly of the progress made in i'm
rroving educational facilities and sug-
gested means by which further i'm
provements might be made. Also
talked on the many problems con-
fronting the educational boards,
thinks that one Of the creates. OF
these Is the selection Of proper teach
ers. Told of the great influence q
teacher might have in q community
and the results that may be obtained
Thinks that the act of the legislature
In making appropriation for the aid
OF rural schools was a good one and
to be commended.
Mr.. s. III. Edmunds. superintend-
ent of city schools of Sumter. was
next introduced. Mr.. Edmunds spoke
briefly Of the great work Of the teach
Ing force OF the State and of the
credit due them. Of the economic
value to government OF an educated
population.
Mr.. II. Il. Smith. trustee Of Candy
Grows township. next made a short
talk on the difficulties to be met In
the management Of rural schools.
Also mentioned the great Importance
of electing competent county superin-
tendents of education. Advocating
forming rural districts by combining
schools and building larger and bet
ter school houses.
Mr. Charlton DuRant, member of
the County Board of Education. next
made brief address on the boys ag-
ricultural clubs. saying that all pos
sible encouragement should be given
them as agricultural knowledge and
development II Of the utmost impor-
tance to any State.
Col. A. r.. Banks. Of Columbia, was
'he last speaker. Said that the ground
had been about covered BY the pre-
ceding speakers. that ne wanted ia
vihdicate South Carolina OF some nj
the things said about her by people
Of other States: compared the school
levy Of this State with that of New
York and stated that considering
sparse population and low property
values this State was doing about at
much as any other for education. He
then talked Of the aim OF education
That 1t enables one not only to dc
more work but to do II In a better
WAY