The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-01-22

! far the public schools i'm 1920 Tho,
prosperity of last y@nr made q pro
SrCSs!ve and forward looking prowr.n,
! easy The depression of the nresent
time will compel economy and curtai,-
mcnt along many lines. Abbreviatiou
of the seven months law, however
should not he contemplated for a mo-
ment. Economy. so-callcd, al the OK
pense and sacrifice Of boys and girls.
would be little less than criminal neg
ligence. Rural South Carolina must
not be condemned to ignorance and il
lteracy.
The enactment Of the compulsory
attendance law was great step for
ward. But we cannot stop with mere
| ~ passing the law. Forcing childl en-
into school rooms carries with it the
responsibility TO supply adequate ply
sical equipment and a sufficient num-
Der OF competent teachers. More
school buildings are required. The
building art of 1920 will require $780,
600 in 1921.
Seven appropriations have been
granted heretofore for special needs
not covered by statute. These are the
appropriations for the removal of il
literacy, for the betterment of negro
schools. for the salaries and operation
Of the state superintendent's office,
public school printing. rural school
supervision. mill school inspection and
small sum for per diem and expense
Of the state board Of education. These
minor items are also important. The
administration Of state funds is 1920
cost less than two per cent, of the
| amount provided. Outsiders are now
con- ributing more for the mainten-
once Of the State superinterdent's Of
flee than the state itself contributes.
To cripple this office by withholding
'ocnssary funds would be most un-
wise.
have not recounted all of the items
recommended for appropriation this
year. but have selected few SO as to
rive you an idea of what the increase
are needed for. The total for elemen-
'ary and secondary education. as
have said must be approximately two
million dollars. If the program au-
thorized by law is to be carried tor
ward. as it unouestionably should be,
and as sincerely hope 1t will be. Re-
trogrcssion now should be unthink-
able.
A quarter Of century ago it was
thought that the constitutional three
mill tax would be sufficient. Now that
AK. though it's results have increased
with advancing assessments. supplies
only fifteen per cent. OF the public
school revenue. We have grown rap
idly. my friends, and must continue as
we have started. The amount recon-
rlended this year for common schools
can be raised by n State tax Of four
and one-half or four and three-quar-
'"rs mills. Remembering the impor:-
ance of the cause. this statemen
ahould alarm. no one. The tax would
ne amply justified by the results.
Without 1t. the state. and particular
ly the children Of the poor and but
Moderately well-to.do, will suffer ir-
"cparable injury. .ta
wish 10 suggest to you that the
office of County Superintendent of
'ducation should be put on a profess
sional. full time basis. The educa-
'ional leadership Of the county de-
bends upon the personality and equip
Tent Of the county superintendent
Every increase in school support, from
whatever source, adds to the work and
responsibility Of the county superin-
tendent. School statistics are compil-
d by him. Students of education,
both in and out Of the state, base their
conclusions on his data. 1t is widely
published that South Carolina stands
1t the bottom in the list of states In
educational efficiency. This standing
"an scarcely be improved until the
facts are properly collected and col
ated. This matter Of reputation is
the least argument for the improve
?lent OF the status Of the county sup
erintendency. 1t is, however, one tha'
must appeal TO men who love the good
name Of South Carolina. The county
superintendent should be able to su-
rervise intclligently and direct the
caching in all the schools Of the coun-
~, and no person should be allowed
% hold this office unless he or she
possesses the qualifications necessary
or the efficient administra ton of the
Office. Ny own view is that there
should be county board Of education,
elected by the electors of the county,
md that this board should employ the
county superintendent, just as the
Boards Of Education do in our city
schools. My chief concern is not,
however, in the method of selection
but rather in the qualifications Of the
superintendent.
So far have said nothing about the
g ate institutions for higher learning.
except as they are included under the
general discussion Of educational
needs. My neglect to mention them
specifically does not imply in the
least that their valu" is not recognized.
They are essential part of the educa-
tional system. Without them our