The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-06-30
BLEASE On BOOK MATTER.
Governor Makes Reply to Statement Of
Superintendent :Swearingen-
Pleased With List.


the State superintendent of education,
Mr.. J. E. Swearingen, published Mon
day:
+ "I have seen Superintendent Swear
ingen's statement
''I have no comment to make. He
is entitled to his opinion, and I have
the highest regard for him; and, if
he is a candidate for reelection, he
has my best wishes for his success;
for I think he is conscientious and
trying to do what he believes is right.
However, after most careful and
thorough investigation, I am satisfied
that the seven gentlemen who rep
resented the State by appointment on
this board (and who are appointed by
my predecessor are equally as con-
scientious and as honorable gentle
men, and did what they believed was
for the best interest Of the children of
South Carolina.
''I considered the changing of this
board. Certain newspapers were very
loud in their denunciation of me in
contemplation of such action and
spoke in the very highest and laud-
able terms of these geneltmen, and it
appeared from their rawlings that had
removed these gentlemen I would
have been subjected to the most se-
were censure.
"Now, that the adoption is over,
some Of these same papers are criti-
cising these gentlemen. If they can
make their position consistent after
publishing these contradictory state
ments, all right, for it will only be in
keeping with the easing of their con-
science for their other falsehoods and
7ituperation in which they have en-
gagged.
stOn the morning of the beginning
Of the book adoption, T was called
away from Columbia, and, therefore,
was not present at the adoption of the
books on the morning of the first day.
Neither was I present when the vote
was taken on the question raised by
Superintendent Swearingen, that each,
man record his vote or each book. If
I had been present would have voted
for Mr.. Swearingen's plan; and, if
any one is interested enough to know,
will be delighted to state how vot-
ed on each book that was adopted
during my presence. I think my rec
ord in the house of representatives,
and in the State senate and in the
governors Office will justify me in
saying that I have always been free
and open in any act that nave ever
committed and I have no apologies to
make to any man or set of men. I
recognize no "boss" but the people,
and when I go before them, to them
alone will I give an account.
"I refused On several occasions to
see book men. Notably in this class
were the agents Of the American Book
company, and I have been informed
that Mr.. Fair, one of their representa-
tives, was rather severe in his criti-
cism of my not allowing him to see
me and discuss his books with him.
When book men called, I declined to
see them stating to some to see Mr..
Swearingen; that me was State super
intendent of education, and that the
people had elected him to perform
that duty and not me. AS to CHM &,
Co., guess Mr.. Walker will hardly say
that had any faTors for them. The
only agents with whom I did have any
conversation of consequence did not
got even a book, except Prof. White.
Gas I have said before, my fight
was for Southern books, and we adopt
ed Whites, Thompson's, Kinards,
Wallace's, Simms' and other South
Carolina authors. AS to the Wheeler
readers, while I was not present when
they were adopted they are by a Ken
tuckian and many Of the other books
adopted we're by Southern authors;
and in ny opinion our people would
rather pay little more and have their
children taught the truth in Southern
books than to pay less and be taught
books by Yankee authors, and taught
to believe that their grandfathers, and
! their great-grandfathers, were trail
! tors to their State.
81 regret that Superintendent
Swearingen looks at the matter as he
does.