The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-15
BETHEL SCHOOL SITUATION
MI. d. vi. kOlb Makes Some Enlight.
ening Remarks as to Use OF Trans.
fer Wagons.

"i'o" hie space through the
columns Of your paper to vindicata
myself and to explain some of acts
relative to school matters in this dis.
trict referring to an article from
your correspondent Of May 81, which
reflects very grossly upon some Of
the school trustees of this district As
you and your many readers are well
aware OF the fact that our State and
county authorities have been urging
upon the school trustees of the va
rious school districts the consoilda-
ton of schools and upon these sug-
gestions the trustees of this district
attempted and succeeded in building.
on as near central ground as could
be had, school building to be used
as graded school. With the priviI.
ege, and earnest request of the trus-
tees, that each and every school in
the district patronize this school
either sending their advanced pupils
the local school and to be transferred
to this central school. The first wear
a number Of the patrons took adva.n-
tage and sent their advanced pupils,
some sending five miles ,and all were
so delighted with the work of the
school that the second year one of the
schools, known as the Mellette school,
decided to close and have it's pupils
transferred to the central school, the
third year, which was the year just
closed. the Red Oak school asked to
be transferred, which was done with
great success.
| Now. dear readers, let me make
this point clear to your mind. this
central graded school, as mentioned
above, was established on the
grounds Of original Bethel school and,
with the Mellette and Red Oak
schools with the Bethel, made three
in one. Now, Mr. Editor. and dear
readers. those three schools repre-
sent at least One-half of this district
both in number of pupils and in tax
ible property, having two railroads
one in the northern, the other in
central and western portions Of dis
tricts. with the best improved farms.
which all pay their full share of tax
es.
Now, to your correspondent at
Ilndals, signed as Reader" and to
his friends who are blowing up the
old Goals. would that they would
kindle the flame that would light
them to a sense Of their duty as the
people OF the Bethel school have been.
The Bethel school, Mr.. Reader" as
you are Well aware was built with
the public school funds for the en-
tire district and not for any individ-
ual and 1t appears to me that any
man with good common sense. and
with a considerate view. would be
able to see the matter and not be
bringing such gross charges against
the trustees for only doing their
duty. T.. :. ...
II | am rightly informed. the au-
thor of the article from Tindal, is a
man that should be better up on the
school movement. and he is fully
aware Of the plan that the Bethel
school was established upon. And he
knows full we'll that any white school
IN this district has the same right to
come into the Bethel school and en-
JOY the great things provided by the
trustees there. As to the transfer
wagons. Mr.. Reader, he is fully aware
Of the fact that any other school
desiring to consolidate within them
selves or with the Bethel school. will
be provided for under the above plan.
and it seems to me that any well
read, good thinking man who desires
To bring about Il kindly feeling and
good will among his fellow men could
ana would have taken up this matter
| with the trustees. or with someone
capable of giving advice. without
making Such false statements against
| trustees. and saying things so miSlead-
ing To the public | wish to say fur
thcr t" Mr. Reader and his chunk
throWcrs that the transfer wagons are
only run whore the schools have con
s"lldatcd ana not for any special COM
muuitH. nor will they ever bc py my
consent. either while am on the
hoard Of trustees or at any other time.
These wagons were bought and are
owned 10y the private iudiNiduals opcr-
ating them ana not one cent of Sol oI
| funds ia them Th- pa'"us that arc
operating th"n are dom. II al I'd great