The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1911-09-13

President Kneeee Urges
All to Join.

To the School Trustees of Lexington
County:
On Monday, September 3rd, over
100 of our scnool trustees met at Lex
lngton Court House, at the call Of
Prof. Chalmers E. Wessinger to per-
manently organize 1.-The School Trus-
tees Association of Lexington Coun-
ty." Prof. Wessinger did his part
we'll. The success OF this first meet
ing is due to his credit.
We had with US Prof. W. 81. Hand,
supervisor of high schools, and Prof.
w. K. Tate, holding the same posi-
ton with the rural schools of our
State. These gentlemen made enthu-
siastic addresses and were highly
pleased with the outlook of the associ-
alton, this being the largest gathering
of it's kind that they had had the pleas
ure Of attending. They urged all
trustees to join the association, point
ing out the many advantages Of such
organizations and what can be accom-
plished through them.
Such addresses by men standing at
the head of our educational system
who have already made a complete
success in their work, will certainly
have a lasting influence for good, with
those so fortunate to hear them.
As this meeting gathered at a later
hour than intended, and the speeches
referred to being delivered before or.
ganization together with a downpour
of rain. caused many trustees to leave
for their homes before their names
were enrolled. AS q consequence OF
this we enrolled less than 100 mem-
bers in this meeting. I therefore re-
quest every trustee in the county, de
string to do 80 to send their names to
thu secretary, Prof. D. A. Quattle-
baum, Leesviile, s. O., instructing
him to enroll same. If you cannot do
this, then meet with US at our, next
meeting to be held at Lexington on
the first Monday in October 1t II
O'Clock g. m.
The intention of this organization
is not for the purpose Of attempting
to change our laws governing the edu.
cational system of our county. Max 4
ing or changing such laws is with our
legislator. and not with trustees. We,
only desire to improve. our present
system. I believe we have the best,
common school system on earth. If
We could only realize this fuct. We
are aware that schools are the most
important business claiming our atten.
ton today. Yet we have In everyIsec-
tion Of our county white children not
in school for no cause, other than lack
ofinterest ON the part of their parents.
We, as trustees and citizens, deplore
such conditions, yet we are doing but
little to improve it. If this organiza-
tion cam increase interest its work
will not be in vain. Interest and en-
thusiasm, like other things, are conta- 4
geous; therefore, If we have the inter-
est we should, parents and children
will also be Interested in whst we do,
and will give us their support.
The agitation over compulsory edu-
cation is because little interest is
shown among the masses concerning
schools always thought the best
compulsion will be to get such inter-
est with parents that they will compel
their children to attend school and
prepare their lessons for the following
day before they sleep at night. Such
interest with trustees that they will
compel teachers to do their duty or
compel them to get out and put anoth-
er in their places. If we canuot in
crease interest by organization, then
how can we increase it?
we are in position at present to do
something for our schools, whether
located in city, town or rural dis
tricts. We have enthusiastic county
and stat, boards Of education, supple
mented with supervisors of high and
rural schools. If we will occasionally
meet to ether, ak improvements of
our schools and work with this aim in