Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1913-04-16
Educational Rally a Success.

County Superintendent OF Educa-
tion w. w. Fuller has been hearth
ly congratulated upon the success
of the third annual educational raj
ly, which was held last Wednesday.
He was particularly fortunate in the
selection of speakers for the occa-
sion, each ono presenting a differ
ent phase of the great subject of
education which was peculiarly ap-
plicable to our local situation. 1t
was generally regretted that a great
er number of teachers and patrons
from the country were not present.
But Mr.. Fuller and the people here,
while regretting their absence, un-
derstood that pressing duties on the
farm made it impossible for them
to attend as on former occasions.
Practically all Of the time was oon-
sumed at the meeting in the court
by Hon. John E. Swearingen and
Prof. w. H. Hand, as they could
not attend the night session in the
college auditorium. Mr. Carleton B.
Gibson, president of the Mechanics
Institute of Rochester, n. Y, spoke
briefly, but of sufficient length to com
pletely win those present, causing
the people of the town to attend the
night session in large numbers.
Prof. Hand. the state High School
inspector, congratulated tie people
upon voting an extra levy for
school purposes, stating that it is
impossible to build up a strong
school of any kind without suffi-
cient funds. He then urged the peo-
pie of the school district to give the
trustees and teachers their loyal
support and hearty cooperation.
Prof. Hand next pointed out som e
of the dangers incident to establish
ing a High School, emphasizin., the
fact that the education Of the post
is not suited to present day condi-
tions and demands. Mr.. Swearin-
gen stated that as he was among
the people of his home he preferred
to listen rather than fill a place on
the programme. He congratulated
the people of EdgeGeld upon having
the privilege of hearing Mr.. Gibson,
whom he regards as the foremost
industrial educator Of the country.
Mr.. Swearingen said be- feels a per
sonal interest in the educational
affairs of Edgefeld county and de-
plored the fact that in some Sec
tions tie white people are moving
to the towns and leaving the rural
districts to the negroes. That is why
it is difficult to maintain good,
strong schools in many of the rural
districts.
The only speaker at the night
session, which was held in the col
lege auditorium, was the Hon. Car
Teton B. Gibson. He began by re-
ferring to South Carolina's achieve
ments educationally during the past
six years, quoting facts and figures
from Prof. Hands report. He re-
ferred briefly to the progress that
has been made in the fields of sci
ence and invention during the past
two or three decades. In this con-
nection he stressed the need of me-
chanical training in public schools
citing what many towns Lave ac-
oomplished in vocational training,
but Mr.. Gibson also stated that
academic training should not be
neglected. The speaker also urged
the building Of strong moral char.
acter along with training the hands
Mr.. Gibson referred very effect
lively and at some length to the ma
tional ideals of Rome, Greece. as
being athletics and warfare, re-
pectively. He said the industrial
idea is paramount in this country.
He produced statistics to show that
that we are rapidly becoming an
urban people; tide of population
being from the country to the cities.
1t has been long long, time
since an address as interesting
and instructive as that of Mr.. Glib
son has been heard in Edgefield.
Our regret is that we are unable 10
give 1t at length to The Advertisers
readers. After Mr.. Gibson had TAX
en- his seat, Gov. Sheppard thanked
him in behalf Of our people for
coming 80 great distance to be
present and also extended sincere
thanks to Mr.. d. A. Tompkins for
his efforts in bringing MIR. Gibson
to Edgefeld.