The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-07-19
SWElRINGEA HAS NOT CHANGED
STANDS BY HIS GUNS IN TEXT
BOOK CONTROVERSY
Referring to Recent Statement of
Elective Members State Board of
Education, Superintendent Declares
/, DETERMINATION OF Issue Rests with
= People.

Columbia. July 12.-State SUI
perintendent OF Education Swearingen
returned to Columbia last night from
Rock Hill. where he had gone Friday
To attend the Conference of County
lSuperintendants OF Education. He de-
ciared that he had no intention or de-
sire to prolong the controversy regar-
ding the text book adoptions made by
the state board Of education.
IF the people of South Carolina
kere willing to believe" he said. that
Whey can now exchange old text books
for new ones at an additional cost of
only 2-3 cents per child each year.
they Will be undeceived when the
time comes to- buy new books.
II have not counted the words in
f{he primer or In any other book. but
Sthe new basal second reader contains
fse pages and sells for 35 cents. the
new basal NTH reader contains S6S
pages and sells for s5 cents. The diff
ference is interesting.
''of the old basal first reader, 49,
900 copies were sold from 1906 TO
&sif. and this book has been displac-
ed. Twelve thousand copies OF the
physical Biographies were sold and
this book has been retained. As far
IA the titles on the list are concerned.
these two books are equal. but as far
las the pupils and patrons of the
~state are concerned. there IL a diff
iorence OF nearly IL TO 1. or more
than 1000 per cent. Illustrations
might be multiplied indefinitely. for
readers. arithmetics and geog-
raphies form the most important part
LOT n text book adoption. and these
sahree series show that rs per cent of
the mere titles even were thrown out.
III the members had made up their
minds 20 the best and most desir-
able books. am at loss to under
stand why they were unwiliing TO
point out the poor books now In use.
~ Is claimed that ample preliminary
= discussion and comparison of sample
books had been made. This adms-
sion Is highly gratifying to me. be-
cause the absence OF such discussion
and comparison at the board meet
|. ings led me to suppose and hope for
Sthis condition. They. therefore seem
20 admit the fact that the real discus
sion OF textbooks was had I'm the Je-
rome Hotel. 1 do not presume to set
my opinion against the opinion of
seven distinguished educators. but be-
ing the secretary Of the board and
Isnember directly responsible to the
people. thought there should be
frank. full and open discussion In
the meetings OF the board itself.
This admission proves that the ad-
option was decided on before the
State Superintendent of Education
hwas given a chance to express AN
voplnion. IL must not be forgotten.
also. that my request for a record OF
these changes was promptly refused.
I was prepared 10 recommend sever
al changes and 20 support these rec
concentrations with argument. The
8board made sweeping changes. but
declined TO indicate the necessity for
these changes, by pointing out the in
ferior and undesirable books now In
use. The assertion that better
kbooks have been adopted does not suf-
fee, but should be supported by evil
dence. Every change of textbooks is
unnecessary. unless logical reason
can be assigned threfor.
Il have not questioned the integri-
" or impunged the motives OF a ma
jority OF the board. because positive
proof OF improper influence cannot
be adduced. The private character
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 charactSrlstics pro-
tested.
There are other points inviting in
teresting comment. but leave this To
be made by others. The determina-
tlon OF the issue rests with the peo-
Pile"