Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-01-25
SENATOR j. II. EARLE REPORTS.
800 Bills lntrOduccd--IIcadw Is
SlOw---SChOOl Laws.

General Assembly seems more tcdi-
GUS chan usual and makes a rather
poor showing for the first twelve
days. There are q large number Of
billS-mOrc than heretofore that
will nccessitate Il very busy session.
Every bill that IS offered is the
conccnsus OF some public opinion
tnat is entitled to respect and con-
sideration. The number now reaches
about 500 and will probably run
over 1000. There are some men so
anxious TO introduce bills that they
do so without knowing what they
cont ain.
But one bill has received the final
touches and become law, and it only
applies to some tax assessments in
Georgetown county.
Many or the reports Of the differ
ent departments Of government have
been placed upon our desks, and
combined make nearly 5000 pages.
There is no question that so vital
~ concerns every person than our
school system. The commission to
revise the school law has made a
number OF radical suggestions for
changes in the present law. One rec
0mmendatlOn is that the constitution
be so changed as to allow school
trustee TO hold any other office. 1t
is proposed to raise the salary Of
state Superintendent of Education
from $1,000 to $500. and to give
him authority to appoint division SUI
prrvisorS TO visit and advise the diff
fcrcnt county boards. In other
words, ii is Il step towards having
the entire educational system run
from central office in Columbia.
DO not favor such change. as | be-
lteNe that the people arc capable Of
running their own schools TO better
advantage than an expert who Knows
| little or nothing OF their conditions.
| The schools in the country cannot be
| made 10 run just as those in the
| cities and towns are. where the chill
| drcn have nothing to do but so to
school. These division supervisors
| Will prescribe Il system OF eXamna-
| ton and certificates for teachers and
| pass upon their fitness. This is new
| and cumbersome machinery and may
| compel teachers to go to some cen
| tral city to stand examinations. No
| diploma or certificate cXcmDtS the
| teacher from these examinations
| lncSc supervisors are to receive a
| salary OF l.50O, with $500 for tray
| oilng expenses. The county board
| (thrcc membcrS) is to be appointed
| by tho State board, who are to select
| an expert as county superintendent
| for four years. This takes it out OF
| the power Of the people to elect any
| school officer. 1t prohibits the elcc-
| ton Of teachers by the patrons of
| the schools. The change in enroll
ment will affect many Of the country
| districts. 1t is proposed to aDpor-
| ton according to the average at
| tendance instead Of the ten day rule
| that has been in force for many
| years.
These are the principal changes
| proposed, most OF which have here
tofore been defeated by the Lcgisla-
ture. do not see that these changes
| Will make the system more efficient
or Will give better results for the
advancement of education.
There remains a balance Of $780,
600 Of the State dispcnsary fund,
but it is not yet certain how this
will be distributed
| ! am glad to receive letters from
any one, and though | may not be
| able to answer all promptly you may
be assured that the matters will have
prompt and careful attention. The
work here is very heavy, but will
do my best to keep the people in
formed on matters Of interest to
them. Respectfully.
J. r. Earle.
From Representatives Harris
Columbia, Jan. 23.-EditOr Cou-
| rier: The first message sent to the
| House by GovcrnOr Blcasc was a pro-
| clamatiOn rcvOkiltg the commissions
OF all notaricS public. to take effect
| February l0th. His last proclama-
ton provides that all State and coun-
| ~ dispcnSary conStables lose their
| iS, l.
| whether he will appoint others, or
whether the enforcement OF the
| whiskcy law will be in the hands Of
| IN" police and Shcrifs.
We think after the elections are
out o! the way that the House will
get down to business. The 25lh Of
January has been set for the election
OF Circuit Judge and the trustees
| that arc to be elected for the various
colleges Of the state.
The amendment to the cOnstitu-
tion providing for the election OF an
other Associate Justice has not been
ratified yet in the House. but there
is no doubt that it will be.
There is a bill in the House to
| make the term of Office Of County
| Auditors and County Trcasurers four
| years.
The marriage license bill is be-
fore the House again this session,
| but | hardly think that it will pass,
| though similar bill has passed the
| Senate.
We have not heard anything ON
| the liquor question so far
II is not likely that there will be
any attempt made 10 pass a c0mpuI-
sorry education law this session, the
Governor having given notice that
any such law would be vetoed.
Respectfully. j. b. Harris,