The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-01-08
TWENTY PER CENT IN SOUTH
CAROLINA OF VOTING
AGE is STARTLING ES-
INNATE MADE FROM
LITERACY FIGURES
AN INCREASE
OF 100 PER CENT
Figures Compiled by Superinten.
dent Swearingen From 80 of
80 Counties in State.
Special to Tho Intellipcnccr.

| iuoiA, Jan. 1.-Ihat 20 pcr
cent. OF the white men of South Car.
oilna or voting age are illiterate is the
starting estimate made from literaoy
hgufes complied by State Superintend-
ehe John e. Swearingen from 33 Of
the "A counties in South Carolina.
pased on the returns OF the Demo-
cratic club rolls. This is an increase
OF iOU per cent. in illiteracy among
White voters in four years, for the
Eeaeral census Of 1910 showed that
lo.S OF the white voters of the State
were liilterate. "publiv school or
ganization and efficiency are chal-
iehged IN clarion tones by these fig
| ures." says State Superintendent Of
Education John e. Swearingen in his
| annual report to the general assem-
bly, "''ein-
Cherokee County occupies the un-
ehVlapie position OF showing the
greatest per centage Of illiteracy
among the white voters of tho State
IN the figures Of 33 out OF the "A conn
ties reported to State Superintendent
OF Education John E. Swearineen
Inc percentage Of Democratic voters
IN cherokee County who are unable
10 sign their own names is 1913. Marl-
Doro comes next with 27.5, Pickens
Inlrd with 26.4, Lancaster fourth with
2o.2 ana Spartanburg close fifth
with 25 per cent. Figures were NOT
Obtained from the counties OF Barn
Weii, Berkeley, Charleston, Chester
neid' Coleton. Greenville, Greenwood.
Horry, Lee and Orangehurg.
beaufort carries or first honors Tin.
the small percentage of illiteracv
only seven per cent. Of her white vof,
erS being unable to sign their names
70 the Democratic club rolls. EDGE
held, the home county of United
states Senator B. r. TilIman and of
superintendent Swearingen, stands
second with 81, and Calhoun In third
with 10 per cent. These figures were
obtained from the Democratic club
rolls.
THE census Of 1910," says Super-
intendent Swearingen in his report to
the general assembly, Showed I'VE
white males of native parentnee who
were unable to read and write. The
census further shows that 1913 per
cent. Of our white voters were Hitter
ate. These figures were questioned
by many, but the Democratic rolls os
1914 disclosed some interesting facts
IN this connection. Doubtless hun
dreds OF names were marked with a
cross on these rolls for reasons tina.
might be easily enumerated. How
much would 1t mean for the cause or
education if every voter unable to
write his name would feel humiIitated
and ashamcd to make his mark. Tho
need OF such sentiment is plainly
seen In the literacy figures complied
from the. Democratic enrolment Lists
or the several counties" So,
Commenting further on the literacy
figures Mr.. Swearingan says: these
figures show that the Confederate vet
Grams OF so years are perhaps better
educated than their grandsons OF 81.
The State awRs redeemed from Garnet
bag rule In 1876. The reform move
ment OF 1890 originated In the demand
fors an agricultural. college. Never
| theless, 20 per cent, of the men born
within the last 38 years are either ~
literate or not unwilling to sign their
names with a mark. Public school
organization and efficiency are chal-
lenged in clarion tones by these ffgss
ures ~ e - - AZ d si ? =.
Tho totals from the 33 counties
present an interesting study and az
ford room for serious thought, as
pointed out by an educator here to-
day. OF the 30,834 voters between
the ages Of 81 to 20 years reported,
1888 made their marks, OF the 28, ,494
between 80 and SO years OF age, 5.172
made their mark: 1929 between tho
ages of 40 and 40 egistered and OF the
plumber ,6G5 made their marks; OF
the 13 .a94 between the ages Of so to