The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-06-20
DO WE NEED A MAN?

In our laSC ISSUE We Hau q s"SSS'
ton for the employment of a man as
principal of the present high school
who might also serve in the capacity
of director of athletics in the city
schools.
The suggestion was not wholly
original. 1t is fact that coincident
with the suggestion, which was first
made to the Superintendent of the
schools, the editor of The Press and
Banner learned that the trustees of
the schools in Clinton had employed
a man for this purpose.
We have since learned that the
Rock Hill schools are to have a man
for a like purpose. Perhaps there
are other schools WHICH have taken
-
the same action.
The idea is either a good one or
a bad one. The superintendent of the
schools in Abbeville says that he con-
siders it indispensable that man be
secured for the principalship of the
the present high school and as a
teacher for the seventh grade. He
also believes that man as director
of athletics would have good effect
on the boys as well as have great
influence in getting the boys to at
tend the high school, and in keeping
them ther after they once entered.
What say the trustees? None of
them so far as we have heard has
expressed himself. We say none of
them, when we should say perhaps
that none except one. One member
of the Board of Trustees seems to
think that maybe the idea is not a
bad one, but then he has no boys go
ing to school, and there are plenty
of men sending boys there to do the
paying" Yes, that is the Grub" in
Abbeville. Everybody is for self. We
have not yet imbibed the community
spirit and we are too prone to con-
sider, whenever anything is suggest.
ed, just what individual benefits are
to accrue to US, and We are so
afraid that we will spend a dollar
or two that will help some other fell
low that whenever any kind of a
movement is mentioned all of US with
draw ourselves into our selfish holes.
Nobody wants to press any mat
ter of the Board of Trustees which
is not for the good of the schools.
Every man should be content that a
sugg lion made by him receive con-
sideration, but every suggestion
made, which is approved by the head
of the schools, is worthy at least of
consideration. The people who should
consider the suggestion, after the
superintendent, are the members of
the Board of Trustees of the public
schools. In Abbeville most of them
are mea of property. They should
consider any suggestion made look
iag to this end: and if found to be-
wise they should encourage it by
lending a helpful hand; if the sug-
gestion does not appeal to them they
should say so. It is no excuse for al
trustee to say that he will have moth
ing to do with movement for the
up-buildlng " the schools Of the
.rty because he has no children at.
tending the schools. If that Is the in
terest which he manifests in public
matters, perhaps it were better that
somebody else who has children be
given the position of trustee. The
trustees will find that the offices
which they hold should be held by
men who do not consider themselves
first, but the public. So long as they
are guided in their efforts only by
what they are to receive out of this
or the other movement, they do not
serve the public.
It seems to US that the time has ar
rived in Abbeville for some frank
discussion in public matters, and that
the people be advised just who. stands
for tho nuhlic veal and who stands