The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-07-15
SHearinger Ioes Net Meet Comparisons
Hade by he Beard
PEOPLE MUST DECIDE.
Claims That he Was Ignored by 9th
er Memters of the Board, by Not
Having Chance to EA2ress Bis
Opinion When Adoption of the
Books Were Made.

AJOV1A9 VsSAS S'~~~S-~s t..r :
State Superintendent of Education
Swearinger returned to Columbia
Tuesday night from Rock Hill, where
ne had gone Friday to attend the
Conference Of County Superinten-
OF Education. He declared that he
had no intention or desire to prolens
the controversy regarding the text
book adoptions made by the State
board of education. -.,
seIf tie people of south Carolina
are willing to believe he said, "that
they can now exchange old text books
for new ones at an additional cost or
only 2-3 cents per child each year,
they will be undeceived when the
time comes to buy new books.
ST have not counted the words in
the primer or in any other book, but
the new basal reader contain l59
pages and sells FOR 35 cents. The
new basal fifth reader contains 1858
pages and sells for S5 cents. The
difference Is interesting
"Of the old basal first reader, 49,
900 copies were sold from 1906 to
1911, and this book has been dis"
placed. Twelve Thousand copies OF
the physical biographies were sold,
and this book has been retained. AS
far as the titles on the list are con-
cerned these two books are equal,
but as as far las the pupils and pa
irons Of the State are concerned,
there is a difference Of nearly IL to
1. or more than 1000 per cent. II
lrstrations might be multiplied in
definitely, for readers, arithmetics,
and biographies form the most i'd
po,-tant part Of text book adoption,
and these three series show that Is
per cent Of the mere titles even were
thrown out. "
.If the members had made up
their minds as to the best and most
desirable books, am at q loss to un-
derstand why they were unwilling to
point out the poor books now IN use.
It is claimed that ample preliminary
discussion of text books was had IN
ple books had been made. This ad-
mission is highly gratifying TO me-
because the absence of sucb---asn''s- i-6--'l-
sion and comparison at tht
meetings led me to suppose and nvpe
for this condition. They, therefore
seem to admit the fact that the real
discussion of textbooks was hat Inc
Jerome Hotel. I do not presume to
set my opinion against the opinion OF
seven distinguished educators, but
being the secretary of the board and
member directly responsible to me
people, T thought there should be a
frank, full and open discussion in the
meetings Of the board itself.
This admission proves that the
adoption was decided on before the
State Superintendent of Education
was given a chance to express an
opinion. It must not be forgotten,
also, that my request for a record or
these changes was promptly refused.
I was prepared to recommend sever
al CHANCES and to support these rec
concentrations with argument. Ihe
board made sweeping changes, but
declined to indicate the necessity for
these chanes, by pointing out the IN
ferior and undesirable books now in
use. The assertion that better books
have been adopted does not suffice,
but should be supported by evidence
Every change of text books is unnec-
essary unless logical reason can be
assigned therefor.
"I have not questioned the integ-
rity or impugned the motives OF a
majority of the board, because posi-
tive proof of improper Influence can
not be adduced. The private charac-
ter of every man belongs to himself,
alone, but his public acts belong to
his constituents. The new policies OF
the board were expensive, unexplain-
ed. and without record, and against
these three characteristics I protest
ed.
"There are other points inviting
interesting comment, but I leave this
to be made by others. The determi-
nation of the issue rests with the peo-
ple."
False Story Denounced.
.a !. ,,.a+;oo ~ eovoro1 ronfodor-