The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-07-20
"Appointive Members" Reply
To Book Adoption Criticisms
Explain and Defend Their Votes and Method of
Voting.-The "So-called Secret Ballot"
The Individual Preferences.

concerning the dQOptiOu VI IeAI
books:
In view of the misunderstanding
and erroneous statements that have
grown out of the recent protest is
sued by State Superintendent Swear
ingen in reference to the late adop-
ton of text books, the undersigned
appointive members of the State
board of education submit to the
people of South Carolina the follow
ing statement Of the fact involved:
Fitness of the members to judge
and select text books:
The undersigned members Of the
board have all of. them been for
many years intimately connected
with the schools. Most of them are
teachers of many years experience,
ranging through nearly every grade
and nearly every kind of school.
Special Preparation for the Adoption
For something over two years,
they have had this adoption in view
and have in consequence been ac-
quainting themselves with the
usableness, suitableness, and merits
of the books in actual use in the
schools. This has been done not
only by examination of the books
themselves but by the questioning of
teachers all over the State.
For some six months prior to the
adoption, books to be. offered began
to come in and expert representatives
of the book companies began their
visits to the several members of the
board. The coming of these books
and agents increased in frequency, so
that for some three months before
the adoption, the members were call
ed upon to spend most of their time,
not given to their regular work, in
, the examination of books and the
discussion of them with agents.
This prolonged and searching ex-
animation of text books to be sub
mitted was supplemented by informal
discussions and comparisons among
the members themselves while in at
tendance upon board meeting in CO.
Iumbia. Hence the several members
entered the adoption with clearly de-
fined views as to the relative merits
and suitability of the various books,
Including these now in use, and had,
in many cases, their minds made up
on their first choice, or on the books
which they would be willing to accept
in place of the first choice, and with
definite. ideas as to the opinions OF
their fellow members. Consequently
when the time came for adoption, the
members were virtually ready to vote
iptelligently without the necessity OF
much discussion, though despite this
preparation there was full discussion
on all important books.
The undersigned members submit,
therefore, that with this experience
and this study of the books it is
reasonable to conclude that their in
dividual judgment as to the merits
of the books submitted deserves the
same consideration, and is just as
likely to be correct, as that of Mr..
Swearingen, and that where a ma
jority of them were agreed upon a
particular book, it is just and ra-
tional, as we'll as democratic, to as
sumo that this majority opinion was
more likely correct than that of Mr..
Swearingen or that of any minority
which included Mr.. Swearingen.
The So-called Secret Ballot.
It is unthinkable that Superintend-
ent Swearingen intended in the slight
est degree to impugn or make insin-
uation against the integrity of the
members of the board, either individ-
ually or collectively. Indeed we have
his assurance that he did not; yet
that construction has been put upon
his protest and especially upon his
reference to a secret ballot. Hence
we are at loss to understand why,
when he perceived that The newspa-
pers so construed his protest, he did
not, in justice to himself and in JUS
tice to the board, Immediately publish
a disclaimer Of any such intention.
This ballot, it is due to say, was not
secret in the sense that any members s
vote was concealed. 1t is due to say,
further, that not only was the method
based upon the precedent of the
adoption of five years ago, but, in the
agreement to adopt the impersonal
vote, it was distinctly stated that, if
in the voting any member desired to
put on record anything about the vote
or adoption, he had the right to do
so.
r, +bo ooeo of pooct of tho ho0kS