The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-06-28
THE IDLER.
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ton on which the people Of NeWberry
would agree. I have been watching
the school situation in this town for
some time and have baen reading the
various articles On the question in
the local papers and it is really
amusing, if it were not such a Sc
rious and such an important ques-
ton. to an old man or woman who
can look at it in an impartial way
and without prejudice, partisanship
or self-interest.
T suppose it is all right for the peo-
pie to disagree, but when thing
is decided it is not decided Did you
ever notice that? It may seem para
doxical, but it is true. There was
a mild kick at the action of the trus-
tees a year ago because some Of the
selections did not suit some people.
And then there was kick when you
voted too much money and when the
trustees gave up an option on IL
acres Of land and the Pope building
at $4,000 and Immediately gave S12,-
500 for the same building and 2 3-4
acres of land. That did look like
queer business. But it was done.
Then when the building was over
hauled everybody thought there
would be room enough for all pres
ent purposes and for years to come,
and it was so stated, but before any
one knew anything about it another
lot had been bought in new street
that had recently been opened and
the contract given for little high
school building which is not needed
at this time, after a contract for a
building had been cancelled.
Then there was a petition sent or
carried around by the ladies and
mothers Of the city protesting against
the election of teachers, or rather the
failure to elect a teacher who has
been in the school since the school
was established, and the reply of one
Of the trustees defying ga set of wo-
men" and wishing them much pleas
ure. That was all>yery funny, con-
sidering the fact that it is serious
question, and got calculated to
build up a strong and vigorous sys-
TEN of schools, such as Newberry
should have.
Now, here comes Taxpayer, who
claims that it was all wrong to elect
an Ohioan who was educated under
environments which sanction the
education of the races in the same
school and with the same teachers.
In other words Taxpayer thinks this
new principal should decline to ac-
cept because the people do not want
him to come for fear his teaching
may tend towards social equality.
And Taxpayer mildly suggests that
the trustees should resign.
Then there is America, who quotes
the constitution and says that several
colleges send North for teachers and
all that sort of thing. But old man
Higgins puts the "sockdologer'' on
the whole business and shows that
there has been no election because
the trustees did not conform to the
act of the legislature creating them
. and the whole thing is illegal. And
he knows because he was there when
the law was made. 1t is all a pretty
mess, now, isn't it? And you see
am right, thing is not done when it
is done, because it is not done right.
There is only one way and that is
the right way.
; Now, I have ref erred to these
things to say, not to advise or die
tate, but simply to say, that an eff
cient and thorough system of
schools, we'll and ably managed, is
the best asset any community can Sc
cure. And further that buildings and
Fairgrounds and money do not make
such a system Of themselves, though
they are imnortant, if properly used.
You need men and women in the
schools room andin charge, who have
character and ability and the conf
dence of the community. You may
have all these. I don't know. I am
not criticising. am only giving
some necessaries. Then you need
cooperation OH the part of fethe trus-