The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1911-07-12
ANSWER OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

to the criticism recently heaped upon
them on account of the change made
in the school books of the state in the
last contract. The Board was widely
criticized for making such radical
change IN the books, Supt. Swearin-
gen being especially loud in opposi-
tion to the selection Special men
tion was made of the fact that the bal
lots made for the occasion by Mr..
Swearingen were disregarded and no
account was made of the way i'm which
the different members voted This
was, in sense, an expression of sus-
picion as to the motives Of the Board
in making the selection.
| AS The Advertiser had not discuss
ed the matter, preferring to hear both
sides of the question first, it does not
feel called upon to publish the en-
tire letter. Those parts that are left
out are not considered material to the
argument.
| In view of the misunderstanding
and erroneous statements that have
grown out of the recent protest issued
by State superintendent Swearingen in
reference to the late adoption of text
books, the undersigned appointive
members of the State Board of Educa-
tion submit to the people of South
Carolina the following statement of
the facts 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 ev-
cry kind of school.
Special Preparation for the Adoption.
For something over two years, they
have had this adoption i'm view and
have, in consequence, been acquaint-
ing 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 called up
on to spend most of their time, not
given TO their regular work, in the
examination of books and the discus
sion of them with agents.
This prolonged and searching ex-
animation of text books to be sub
mitted was supplemented by inform
al discussions and comparisons among
the members themselves while In at
tendance upon Board meetings in CO.
lumbia. Hence the several members
entered the adoption with clearly de-
fined views as to the relative merits
and suitability of the various books,
including those 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 ac-
ceDt in place of this first choice, and
with definite ideas as to the opinions
of their fellow members. Consequent
ly when the time came for adoption,
the members were virtually ready to
vote intelligently without the neces-
sity of much discussion though de-
spite 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 rea-
sonable to conclude that their indi-
vidual judgment as to the merits of
the books submitted deserves the
same consideration, and is just as
likely to be correct, as that of MIR.
Swearingen, and that where a ma
jority of them We're agreed upon
particular book, il is just and rational.
as we'll as democratic, TO assume that
this majority opinion was more like
ly correct than that of Mr. Swearingen
or that of any minority which incud-
ed Mr.. Swearingen.
The SO.Called Secret Ballot.
1t is unthinkable that Superintend-
ent Swearingen intended in the slight
est degree to impugn or make insin-
nation 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 newspapers so
construed his protest, .e did not, in
Justice to himself and in justice to
the Board. Immediately publish dis
claimer of any such intention.
This ballot. it is due to say, was not
secret in the sense that any members
vote was concealed. 1t Is due to say
further, that not only was the method
based upon the precedent of the adop-
tion of five years ago, but, in the
agreement to adopt the impersonal
vote, 1t was distinctly stated that II
In the voting any member desired to
put on record anything about the vote
OR anOnflnn hn had ho Iorh u, Dc,