Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-11-23
SUPERINTENDENT swEARINeEN

SUPERINTENDENT sWEARINeEN
Beautiful Tribute to One Who is Doing
Much for South Carolina.
Away up near the top Of skyscrap-
er building in Columbia, South Caro-
lima, Is an office whose windows over
look the country for miles around.
On a clear day-and clear days in
that gentle climate are many-the
vista from these windows is a delight
and Joy. Beyond the quaint old homes
and gardens Of the beautiful little
southern city lie the mingled white
and gold patches Of cotton and grain,
interlaced by winding ribbons Of green
where purling, tree-lined streams me-
ander idly through the farm lands;
and in the far distance the purple
hazed outline Of the Piedmont rises
gently to meet the fleecy sun -flecked
clouds overhead.
At huge, document -strewn desk
near one Of these broad windows with
its charming view sits a man in whose
hands, more than any other, rests the
future welfare and prosperity Of the
old Palmetto state Other officials,
from the governor to the holder of the
humblest office in the gift Of the peo-
pie, come and go with the political
tides; but in the many upheavals that
have torn the state politically since
this mans installation seven years
ago no candidate has ever entered the
lists against him. So day after day
he sits in his high, sunny Office, guild
ing with patience and skill the desti-
nies Of the four hundred thousand
children intrusted to his care.
But Of the sunlit fields. the blooming |
gardens and the misty range OF
hills rising to meet the everchanging |
clouds, John swearingen may only
vaguely dream. He Is stone blind.
1t was the century-old tragedy Of the
small boy and his first gun. Twenty
six years ago, when DR.. Swearingen
was thirteen years old, he pleaded so
persistently for shotgun that his
father, a well-to-do planter, reluctant
ly gave him the coveted weapon with
many an admonition on the accidental
shooting Of other people.
Almost Immediately the accident
happened. The gun, carelessly hand
led, wrought It's terrible havoc; but
on the lad himself, manning his right
hand and destroyed his sight.
A year later, when all efforts to re-
store the boys sight had proved fruit
less, he was sent to the state school
for the blind, near Spartanburg, South |
Carolina.
Graduating from this institution. |
young Swearingen returned home to |
continue his studies under his mother,
a woman Of more than ordinary talent |
and culture, who kept his courage and
ambition alive, and by her efforts fit
ted him for entrance to South Carolina
college, now the state university.
The faculty were somewhat dubious
over admitting a blind youth to the
college work; though they were keenly |
sympathetic with the unusual ambition
that inspired him. Young Swearingen
determined to enter, finally overcame |
their opposition. He had brought his
cousin with him, and eventually the
boys were permitted to matriculate.
This was in 1895. For the succeeding |
four years the blind student worked
INCREASINGLY, suprred on by his set de-
termination to complete his education |
despite the handicap. State Superin-
tendent Of Education Swearingen be-
gan his fight against poverty ignor-
miliar with the splendid work being
done in many other states he fear
lessly attacked conditions in his own.
There was scarcely a branch Of the
existing system that did not need
heroic treatment, and to accomplish
anything he must have money.
It was an uphill struggle; but
Swearingen's blood was up, and the
result, as shown in hundreds Of mod
ern schools, extended terms, equip
ment, ETC., forming too lengthy a
statement to be given in detail here,
may at least be expressed in the most
congent Of all terms. money.
During his first year in office the ex
ira appropriation allowed him was a
little over six thousand dollars. Con-
tinuously waging his war for more
money, Swearingen forced an increase
each year, until last year the extra ap-
preparations was two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. This year he Is
demanding nearly four hundred thou
sand dollars in extra appropriations-
and he will get it, too.
South Carolina Is yet far from a
model in educational work. There are
scores Of things to be done, and done
thoroughly before she can rank among
the leaders. But dollar for dollar
and without these self-same dollars
the greatest educational genius in the
world would fail dismally-the i'm
provement in the educational stand
ards and equipment in South Carolina
during the last six years will rank with
any state in the Union.
Perhaps it is just as we'll for the
public veal that John Swearingen is
blind. He cannot see the charming
vista beyond the windows Of his lofty,
sunny Office, nor the faces Of the
thousands who love and respect him
for the work he Is doing. But back
of those sightless eyes, undisturbed by
the thousand daily trivialities that dis
tract us from our tasks, lies q vision
far more real than is given us to
dream. Legions Of healthy, happy
children people it, and the land is
dotted with schools where health and
happiness may thrive. And behind
thA ct