The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-01-09

war. We haya contemplated with
horror the accompaniments Of war.
with its daily devastation: With lis
suffering and tortured women; with
its slaughter Of men by the thousands,
and with economic ruin, Will: our
country has been at peace with the
world. For these and all othe: Bless
ings, we thank God.
Expressing thus our gratitude to
Him whose benefcent providence mas
anerringly guided US, we turn now
to a consideration of those specific
duties that derolVe upon US as ser
wants of our commonwealth
1t is not my purpose at this tlnla
to repeat the findings and recommen-
aations of the different departments
of the State government, but BRET
ly to indicate those subjects which,
in my judgment, demand your early
and earnest attention.
Education.
commend to your special consld-
Grafton the report Of the State Su-
perinteod of Education. That re-
port is highly interesting and instruc-
tive, aud exceedingly encouraging. L
cannot too strongly stress the lm-
sortance Of the work in the common
schools, because the education Of the
vast majority Of our boys and girls
is limited to that education which
they obtain in the common schools.
and only a small minority of them can
obtain the advantages of college edu-
cation.
The DUTY of the State to educate
its citizens is clear. Our education
al system is growing in efficiency and
support beyond the highest expecta-
tions OF its advocates. The scholastic
year shows that the public school rev.
eaue amounted to over four millions
OF dollars. The school fund has more
than doubled within the past eisfN.
years. A local tax has been secured
in over 1900 school districts. This
result is due to the interest which
the public is now taking in educa-
tien, and the wise policy adopted BY
THE general assembly, which bases
the State aid upon local taxation, and
demonstrates the wisdom of a policy
of self-help.
Liberal appropriations to the schools.
for securing longer terms, better
buildings and stronger teaching
corps.
The enrolment for the year ex-
ceeds 100000, and gain of over 49,
goo pupils in IL months was better
than could have been expected. This
result has been obtained chiefly
through increased efficiency Of the
schools, and the local option com
pulsory attendance law. Nearly 10
per cent. of the school districts of
the Stateih have come under the opera
ton of this law and have shown the
desirability and practicabiiity of COM
pulsory education. Over one-half of
the districts of the State now have
adequate and comfortable school
houses. If every such community
would accept compulsory attendance,
over 900 districts should be operat-
ing. under this law before July 1.
1917. The boys and girls out of
school cannot be helped by taxation
for public education. In my opinion, !
the time has come when the statute
for compulsory attendance should be |!
made Statewide, but should allow !
districts that are unprepared or un-
willing to enforce compulsory atten-
dance, to petition for exemption.
The need for compulsory attendance
is emphasized by the fact that on Jan
uary 1st, instant, under tie provision
of State law regulating child labor. !
about 2,400 children were discharged
from work in the cotton mills. These