The herald and news. (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, February 21, 1922, Image 1

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VOLUME LVIH, NUMBER 14. NEWBERRY, S. C., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1922. TWICE A WEEK, $2.00 A YEAR GOVERNOR PLEADS j FOR SCHOOL Alii SPECIAL MESSAGE TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY j 1' Chief Executive Urges Legislature to Provide for Advancement of Work The State, 17. Governor Cooper last night sent a sneeial message to both houses of the general assembly in which he said he was gravely concerned in the proposed appropriations for the public schools. The governor called atten ? ?j-? ? fnn Sflino] ; noil to ine auvauccmcia ui system and how the appropriations i recommended in the ways and means ' committee bill would seriously cripple the work . He urged the legislature j' not to reduce the common school j work as a sacrifice for the institutions ' of higher learning. In the senate the messaage, upon motion of Senator Goodwin, was re- : ferred to the finance committee. The j: it as information. j; 11KS x vw. . The message follows: j< Gentlemen of the General Assembly: I have not annoyed you with special communications. It has been my pol- j i icy to submit to you my views as to : needed legislation, in my annual mes- , sage. At the beginning of the present session, I presented recommendations covering what I conceived t - be : matters of pressing importance. I congratulate you on the progress al- ' ready made towards a modern revenue system. If the bills now pending be- ; fore the senate, which have already J: passed the house, are enacted,.we have j! ' 1?nf nn ud to date and}; equitable system of taxation. In the j: nature of things, it will require sev-1; eral years to perfect any plan on this | difficult and complex subject. j j I am constrained to address you on j ] another matter. A careful study of j 1 annual appropriation bill sub- J, mitted by the committee on ways and means causes me grave concern. I refer especially to the provision for , public schools. I appreciate the difficulties with which the committee has to contend, and what I shall say is not in a spirit of unfriendly criticism, j but is due to my conviction as to the j best policy to pursue at this time. 1 I would be unfaithful to my trust did j I not state my position to you. Wants Adequate System j It has been my purpose in having j the state definitely committed to a program of education which will, in ' ^ v-? a few years, provide tor every secuu? of the state adequate educational facilities. The general assembly has' driven its approval to a number of j measures carrying out this idea. I refer to acts giving state aid to high schools, the inspection of rural i x:? schools, vocational eaucauoii, and night schools, term extension, rural graded schools, guaranteeing seven months' term and the erection of school buildings. In the budget submitted to you I recommended for these purposes appropriations which will enable the state to meet its obli~r,+;n-n,c a? pvnressed in these various ?r act?, to the various school districts which have complied, and which are now ready to comply with these various legislative enactments. It is proposed by the appropriation bill as sub- j mittcd, to reduce the appropriation j l^rrt-i Connie f? 1 :">D.200. If this is 1U1 11 ic, 11 -r - , carried out it means that the high ! schools of the state will be crippled and unable to function, and the people in the various high school districts deprived of the service which they have a right to expect and which they /-><a-r+iin1 v ripprl. The inspection of rural schools and j mill schools for which no appropria- j tion is made, is a matter of very se- j rious importance. Failure to provide . fur this work will be a serious handi- | cap in these fields. Without adequate I supervision and inspection progress is J impossible and the usefulness of any j expenu lure aimmisiifu. The item of $90,200 recommended in the budget for vocational educa-j tion and eliminated from the appro-! priation bill, is to match an appropri- i ation by the federal government for - this particular class of work. Wittii this apapropriation we have now established in various schools of the state about 100 classes in agriculture. 3Iv information is that the work is i satisfactory and growing in favor and efficiency. It is the policy of the state to provide, as a part of its educational system, special training in the professions, and for this purpose we have a law department in the state university and a medical college. We train teachers at both the university and Winthrop college, especial emphasis is given at Clemson and dorpcs IIC scieilirt; ut >? mom uy. nuw 13 jc possible for this particular work at Clemson and Winthrop college to reach the masses "who can never hope to attend either of the colleges unless it be through the local schools? The farmer's son, who must be denied the benefit of a college education, ought not to be denied by the state the special training which can be given him through these various classes in agriculture. The importance of this work is recognized by the federal government and congress has provided liberal appropriations for it. In the various mill districts we have established 105 textile evening classes for mill operatives. These classes are for the especial benefit of adult operatives and this work has the approval of the mill executives as well as the operatives. Gratifying Progress We have made gratifying progress in the operation of our adult and night schools. This, as you know, is an effort on the part of the state to do something for that class of citizens who have reached manhood and womanhood without the rudiments of an education. The response of the people in need of this work has been encouraging and to reduce the appropriation requested not only means a failure to go forward, but is a positive uniustice to those who are ready and willing' to make the personal sacrifice involved in this eff(frt to rid the state of adult illiteracy. The appropriation provided for by the bureau of examiners will seriously nandicap this work. The work of this bureau is fundamental if the standard of instruction in our schools is to bo improved. It is absolutely impossible to do the work required in n reasonable, satisfactory manner with the reduction in appropriation provided in the bill. This subject is discussed in the report of the state superintendent of education on pages 17 and 18, and l(w to 213, inclusive. The chief criticism of this bureua has been the delay in gradation of papers and the failure to provide come additional clerical assistance means to aggravate this condition. I come now to what I regard the most important state appropriation for our public schools to wit, guaran teeing- a seven months' term. The state took a step forward wnen the legislature enacted this 'a v. For :ne first time we fixed a definite standard for our country schools; it is true the standard is low, but it is nevertheless a decided improvement over th.? absolute lack of any standard. The requirements of the law are logical and simple, any district in order to part!c ipate m xms guarantee: ma: a local school tax of eight mills for teachers' salaries. A great many of our people did nor, believe that such a local elvy would be favore 1 i:i rural communities and for about 3 years the country patrons and taxpayers could not be persuaded to take advantage of this provision to aid their schools. But during the scholastic vcar 1920-21. 607 districts qualified for equalizing1 aid. ivlr.le appii.'T.lrris from 73 other districts could net be approved. These districts haw voted a local tax levy of eiu'ht mills in order to meet the state standard and secure state aid. The voting of these levies continues, notwithstanding1 the tiepressed condition, and n grest many people are determined to educate their children even if it requires a personal sacrifice to do so. There are about 800 localities almost entirely rural now in position to receive the ben -fits of th'.s appropriation during1 the scholastic year of 1921-22. The farmers or the> districts have a right to expect a s'.ven months' school term fo,- thc:" boys and girls. They would be gl.id to hr.ve eight months or nine, if fo>iible, r.nd to disappoint them is norhiig shovt of a repudiation ot tne solemn oonjrition of the* ccmmonweakh. I ca-i not remain silent when I a:n convinced that there is dsnjrer of injury to :f?lic education in communing vhevo \i is most needed. 11 you wui HOUSE DEBATING APPROPRIATION! 1 3LEASE FKOPERLY DEFEND. ! GOV. COCFER i Official Prpcr on Education Cause Warm Discussion Early This Moriiiiig The State, 17. At 2 o'clock this morning the hous of representatives aciioarneJ debat on the annual appropuat.c.i bill, hav ing agreed to 17 of the 00 urovision tho bill* and made only oit? cut i the measure as presented to the kous Tuesday by the ways an ! means com mittee. This lone reduction was a the expense of rhe University o South Carolina, the appropriation o $2,500 for the holding of a sumrne oiViiutu. f-nn'-hini? school bein^* elim mated upon the motion of Kepreser tatives R. J. Wade of Aiken and C A. Hydrick of Orangeburg. The bi was under fire six hours last night an this morning. The majority of the sixteen section passed without amendment were eac advanced only after considerable de bates and action on the bill was ir terrupted frequently by efforts of va mnmlioTO cnr>nr"P nn adioUlT l iiius mciiictio t-v w. u ment and postpone action on the bil The house clock had bjen stopped a 11:44 o'clock and it was the purpos of the ways and means committee t extend the legislative day so as t permit the passage of the bill to sec ond reading and then th? reconver in? of the house immediately tu giv % " ' " ' - ? 1 the report of the state supernii&uueu of education, pages 399 and 409, ir elusive, you will see in detail ho^ this fund was distributed during th year 1920-21. It is principally limil ed to rural communities. Cities an towns with corporate wealth, railroad banks and mercantile establishment 1 ?Tf chmil CIO IIOL Ilt'fU itujiT -l \j o??wv?. be borne in mind also that pr ictic ill every city and town in the stafe run its schools for nine months. Tr,o pec pie of these urban communities w: net tolerate anything cl?3. Most c the towns and cities also have stal aided high schools. The bull: of ou population is rural. Can the stat afford to neglect the country childre on the plea that their education cost monev and requires taxes? Wherove white population is dense and tax va uation low, this law is most benefit It taxes the wealth of the statr- whei ever it finds it and uses t!:e proceed to educate the children wher#? the are. The property of The svate i thus made responsible for the educs tion of our children. Any other star dard or policy is incompatible with th true spirit of Americanism, dcmocrac and Christianity. For Community School I am appealing 'o you, geniYmei in behalf of that portion of our popi lation whose community school is th only university they can ever en.:oj If you must reduce the appropriatio necessary to support our education? activities why is it that the reductio must be made against the run school and the high schools rathe than the institutions? Do not mi: understand me. I would prote; against any reduction in approprk tions to our higher institutions. I making my budget recommendatior fcr this year I was as liberal wit the institutions as with the publi schools, but if it. is absolutely nece: sarv in the opinion of the legislatur that the recommendations be reduce* I suggest in all fairness that all th reductions should not be made fror the high schools and the rural school By what principle of ethics or state: manship can South Casolina claim t have a public school system for th training of all her children, if th discrimination against the farmer child be tolerated for a moment? I am sure you will not misunde: .stand what I have raid. I am in favc of and stand ready to defend ever appropriation n?ked for our educ: tional work, including the institution but our fundamental need is to in prove the rural school. No patriot: taxpayer will comp'a'n against an reasonable appropriation for the in orovement of the educational facil tics of all the people throughout th y.-;te. an.! especially tnose who hen tofore have had practically none o its 'oenelits. t I ! ; it its third reading and send i: u> the i senate. 5 At 10:30 o'clock, just when the1 house was in the midst of its consid-1 5 eration of the measure, a special message from Gov. Robert A. Cooper was governor urged upon the trraeral assembly that if any reductions must be made in the appropriation? as sugJ ! gerted in the budget that in fairness these reductions should not all bo m-'/L-i -it thr* cvnpn?p nf {ho hifh cchocls and rural schools. The report wis received as information and orL dered printed in the journal. Governor's Mesra.js s At about 1:30 o'clock this morning n % the section of the approprntson bill ( providing for funds for the superintendent of education'., office was .L r reached and here the Question of the i ^ governor's message waj again brought t. to the fore. Representative J. K. Hamblin of Union moved to amend the section so as to eliminate an apy propriation of $15,000 for the "better ;i ment of negro schools," this proposal (j being lost, however, by i vore of 59 , to 24. Practically every ono of the ; numerous amendments which had io k far been proposed to the bill had excited lengthy debate and liepresenta( tive J. W. Hanahan then moved the prevjous question on the entire mat ter. This proposal- would have cut j off further debate upon amendments . ar.d would have killed all proposed amendments that were not on the speaker's desk when ihe motion was passed. o i This proposal evoked a storm o* disapproval, several members ca'Vng the attention of the house to the fact _ that the governor had sent a .special j. message to the house on the section of the bill under consideration at the TUo WI/\+iavi it woi MTCiied. iniivr. JL jxivi/IV.J) ?v < ^ ? 7 e would be contrued as a refusal on j.. the part of the members of the house (j to regard the opinions* of the goverls ncv on this question. i s 1 Mr. Hanahan withdrew his motion j to order the previous question hut y rose to a point of personal privilege lS to voice his criticism of the .\ct "f Governor Cooper in sending a special n message. "When I have to be told by 11 .f known that the house had under cone sideration the subjects covcred by the ..'the governor or any one else how I e shall vote on any question," M". Han-: n ahan said, "I should not be here in 3 this general assembly." The governr or, Mr. Hanahan '.bought, when he j_ sent the special message to legish1 ture at the time he did ''did a most inappropriate thing." "The message s coming in the midst of tho considerav tion of the question discussed in the ;S governor's communication," Mr. Hant_ ahan said, "leads me to believo that the message was intended to influence e votes on this question." V To Governor's Defense I Mr. Hanahan's addreis brought ; Eugene S. Blease of Newberr / 10 his i.1 feet in defense of the governor. "I t_ know," Mr. Blease said, "that Robert e, A. Cooper is an honest man and I know that he did not intend tf? influn ence unduly the house. Tie is not that kind of man. If you pill reile-:t you n will recall that though the state conil.' stitution provides that there shall be !r three separate departments of the AAncf if 11_ 5- ; Slate gOVCrilllieiiL, Cilia same ;t;tion also gives the governor the right : to furnish the legislature with the in-. n i formation. This same constitution 1S gives the governor the right to veto h a bill passed by both houses and not c even a majority of the members of 5_ the two houses can override this veto. .0 ' "Your governor and my governor, j tViP r-hnirman of the board of trustees ' > ""v e of the highest institution of learning n in the state, has addressed this coms> munication to you. I hold that if he 5_ thought we were driving in the wrong 0 direction that it was not only his prive ilege but it became his duty to injs form us of it. He had the right to >s ?end this communication, a communir>ofinr> if imnnrtant because it ' affects every home and fireside in )r South Carolina and we who are presumed to represent the homes and firesides of the state should g'.vc it _ 1 due consideration. The public school ^ system of the state may depend upon this measure." iv^ . v Mr. Blcaso then moved to adjourn, [. this proposal being opposed by Representatives -I. K. Owens, E. T. Hughes, ,c Claud X. Sapp, all of whom contended .. that proper consideration could be ,f given the governor's message withj out adjournment. There was nothing J < UNABLE TO SERVE ON TRUSTEE BOARD REPRESENTATIVE McINNES NOT TO QUALIFY Says He Thinks He Should Not Accept Placc While Member of Legislature The Slate, 18. Representative Julius S. Mclnnes ^ 1 vArtArflv nln^?f nrl Kt7. f Via OT Uurilllgiuil, icccjujj ticnv.u k/>tp..v legislature to be a trustee of the University of South Carolina, yesterday informed the general assembly through a letter to both houses that he would not qualify as a trustee and asked that the joint asembly elect some one in his stead. In his letter Mr. Mclnnes says he - ' 1.1 ? (iocs not xn:nK ne sauuiu sn vc as ^ trustee while a member of the general assembly. Several days ago Solicitor T. C. Caliison of Lexington, elected a trustee along wth Mr. Mclnnes, notified the general assembly he could not accept the place, as he did not feel that he should while being solicitor. These two refusals make two vacancies on the board that are to be filled at this session. * * 1 1 1 # ' 1 1 Considerable discussion nas ueun heard on the idea of electing: members of the general assembly as trustees on boards and some opposition has already been voiced, so much so that the bill increasing the number of trustees at the university has a proviso added by the senate that members of the assembly shall r.ot be eligible to serve under the act. This bill is still in the hands of the free conference cortimittee with chances for an agreement rather slim, it was indicated. The house is not willing: for the senate proviso to stand and the senate insists. Representative Mclnnes' letter to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house follows: "I beg leave herewith to notify you that I shall not qualify as a trustee of the University of South Carolina, and will, therefore, request the joint assembly to elect some one to serve in my stead in this position. "After careful consideration I am of the opinion that as a member of the. general assembly I should not at the same time serve as a trustee of the university. My first duty is to the university and I desire carefully to refrain from any act which even in the remotest degree might reflect upon her. "I hereby express to the members of the general assembly my deep appreciation of their action in electing me a trustee. I have always had a real desire to serve as a trustee of the university, and it is my sincere regret that conditions are such that I can not serve at this time." Representative M. R. Cooper Dead Columbia, Feb. 11.?Marion Reed Cooper, aged 73, member of the * * j ? xT nouse ot representatives irom xne county of Beaufort, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Lizzie Clark, in this city, this morning at 9:20, after an illness of several weeks. The immediate cause of his death was pneumonia. Mr. Cooper was for years a prominent figure in South Carolina politics. He was a man of strong opinions. Al though not in the best of health for the past few years, he was an outstanding figure in the general assembly, and the long tenure of his service for his state made his counsel valuable to his contemporaries. Hendsrson-Wednman Mr?s Mildred Henderson of Blairs and Mr. Jno. D. Wedaman of Poman'a were married on the 7th instant by Kev. John Sproles Lvons. .Jr.. at tne residence of the pride's brother, Mr. Lewis Henderson of Blairs. set forth in the special message, they argued, that was not contained in the budget, which has been in the hands of members of the house since the opening of the session. The motion was finally carried at 2 o'clock after half an hour's argument on the question. The house w'il meet a<ra!n at 10 o'clock this morning:, section 18 of the bill, the superintendent of education ? t_ : -i.:n l appropriations, uemg sun uuuti tu?sideration. 'appropriation bill j reported out I | Reduction of More Than Million Dollars is Recommended?State Levy h Five Instead of Twelve Mills Columbia, Feb. 14.?The ways and C i means committee ot tne nouse report| ed out the general appropriation bill j tonight carrying a total appropriation ! of $5,671,684.67 or a total reduction from the 1921 appropriation of $1,095,450.65. The total state levy as n provided in the bill is five mills as ^ compared with 12 mills in 1921. k This big reduction in millage is made possible by the new revenue ^ measures already passed and those ^ that the legislature believe will be ^ passed. If the revenue measures are i i ci not passed the levy will have to be i , i o: increased. a Indications are that the bill will j., corne up this week and be passed by the house late in the week. When this i j u i bill is sent to the senate the house will : I c: have discharged practically all its j ^ work and the rest of the work will be j . i i ii upon the senate, which is already ! ^ overloaded with legislation. i In 1921 a total of $6,767,135.32 * wac nnnrnnristod for all state Dlir ,? ? ^ r I poses, this including an extra half mill for the Citadel. Governor Cooper ^ recommended in the budget that $6,- ^ 466,240.15 be appropriated, but the ^ ways and means committee sliced ^ this figure off considerably. ^ As usual the biggest appropriation ^ this year is for the public schools, . this figure being $1,1S6,700 but this ' is a big drop from 1921 when the appropriation was $1,528,930. ; The recapitulation of the appropri ation bil! as introduced by the ways " and memis committee is as follows: *, 1 11' The legislative department, $107,- ? 592. ? Thp jud-ciary department, $156,-1 888.60. ' * { 1 The governor's office department; | $18,469.24. P ! Secretary of slate's office, $7,450. . Comptroller general's office, $808,- * 576.34. , . ; Attorney general's office $14,081.25 g State treasurer's office, $257,496.62 j The adjutant general's office, $31,- f( '202.50. ? University of South Carolina, $249- r ' nno n(\ ll C/V'J. I V. I The Citadel $161,419.86. ^ Clemson college (public service) " | $242,862.85. ? Winthrop college, $096,296.23. State Medical college, $84,955. State Colored collie. $67,650. ^ John de la Howe Industrial school $38,222.04. ir School for the deaf and blind $104,620. ' "* ?-TT1 Superintendent of education's of- ^ fice. $1,186,700. y Historical commission, ?4,2C0. State library. $3,960. [ Confederate museum, $100. State relic room $1,000. ^ Confederate home college $4,000. ^ South Carolina state hospital, $699- ^ 972.73. * State penitentiary, $93,426. ^ "RnnrH nf mrhlif wplfarp S25.6C4.50 . i 1 T ir Boarrd of oardons, $300. f ei Training School for Feeble Mnided . $45,203. ei Industrial School for Boys, $70,786.23. Industrial School for Girls, $13,- ^ | 459.50. Reformatory for Negro Boys, $28,! 532. Catawba Indians, $7,700. m Committee on deaf and blind chil- m dren, $500. Ji j Law enforcement department, $12,- pi 1000. ni ! Board of health, $128,053. ! Tax commission, $40,475. tl: ! Tax board of review, $1,500. tc ' Insurance commissioner's office, $19,226.25. ! Bank examiner's office, $23,725.80. ei Railroad commission, $24,447.20. Chief game warden's office, $11,125. Budget commission, $5,975. Board of medical examiners $3,000 j Board of law examiners, $450. Board of fisheries, $10,500. $ ! Board of conciliation, $1,000. | Joint committee on printing, $76,321. Commlrsicnev of agriculture's oflice, $76,GG5.70. Warehouse commissioner's office. $54,205. $' Board of pharmaceutical examin 10USE MEMBERS ANSWER GOVERNOR IOLD THAT IMPLICATIONS IN MEASURE ARE "UNFAIR/* ommon Schools Suffer Only Three Per Cent Reduction Through Bill he State, 18. Inferences drawn from the goveror's special message sent to the ouse Thursday night, when that ^'1" Via/J lin/^or /^nnciHprntirm the an L/U V 11UU uiiuvi W4*w.v.v.?.v.vm _ ual appropriation bill, yesterday lorning brought denials from two lembers of the ways and means comlittee that the committee had disriminated against the public schools f the state, R. B. Belser of Surater nd Claud N. Sanp of Columbia makig references to the message. "There has been what I consider an nfair inference drawn from the speial message of the governor that the ays and means committee in drawup the appropriation bill has seen t to discriminate against the public chools in favor of the higher instituons of learning. The committee did ot discriminate, and the truth of my tatement can be proven by facts and gures." Approximately $11,000,000 Ir. Belser said, is now appropriated irough the state appropriation bill, lie three mill constitution levy and le numerous special school levies for le public schools, while only approxnately $960,000 is appropriated for le hierher institutions. The ways and leans committee in drawing up the ppropriation bill reduced the higher is:t:tutions approximately 25 per cent [r. Belser said, while examination o? tie reductions proposed for the eomlon schools would show, he contendd, that these cuts would be fonind to atal only about 3 per cent of the unds available for public sch6ol puroses. "This, I think," Mr. Belser aid, "shows conclusively thai there > no discrimination." Of the $18,00,000 paid in taxes in the state, Ir. Belser contended, approximately 0 per cent goes to the use of public ihools and, he argued, no reduction 1 state appropriations can possibly . m e made without education Being ai?cted. "You can not hope to reeve the taxpayers of the state," he lid, "until you make the department f educat;on bear its just proportion f the decrease necessary." Representative Sapp took up the arious cuts made by the ways and leans committee in the department f education section in detail, argulg that the largest reduction was for ie elimination of an apnronriat.'on jr past indebtedness, which has now een paid. None of the reductions, [r. Sapp thought, would cripple the i - i - n * ? i j _ moois, an naving ueen maue aitc ireful study. "You can not grant all f the roquerts of the heads of thp ^pirt~nents," he said, c'ting the fact lat this year the appropriation reues^ totaled $8,097,442. "We have ut," he said, "but we have cut where ; will hurt least and I resent any nplicaticn that we have discriminate d aganst any department, whether lis implication comes from the govrnor or any other source." NTERTAINMENT TO BE AT BETHEL-GARMANY The teachers of Mt. Bethel Garany school announce the engagetent of Miss Burr Leitzsey and Mr. :mmie Sease?the wedding to take lace at the school house on Friday ight, February 24th, at 8 o'clock, nmediately after the ceremony iprp will hp a mpptintr nf +1ip Dark iwn Social Betterment Society. Admission, 15 and 25 cents. *s, $2,000. Electrician and engineers' office, 53,433. Highway department, $88,115.75. Sinking fund commission, $8,462.50 Confederate infirmary $30,778.80. Confederate veterans' association, 1,500. Commission on state house and rounds, $4,685. State contingent fund committee, 38,000. State fair society, $5,000. Committee on approval of cla'.nw, Grand total, $5,671,684.67. . 1 im