Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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SUPT. SWEA3N3EN'S V IEWS. Criticises Board of Education for lak ing Changes, Amounting to Eigh ty Per Cent. State Superintendent of Education John E. Swearingen issued a formal l statement protesting against the action of the State board of education in the recent adoption of text books. Mr. Swearingen's statement follows: "To protect the interests of the peo ple, and to keep the record straight, I protested against the recnt text book adoptions made by the State board of education. Though my protests were disregarded and my wishes ignored, I desire to make a brief statement of my position. "Eighty per cent of the books now in use have been thrown out of the schools. Not one word of explanation, reason or excuse for this revoluntion ary action has been offered to the public. Such sweeping changes are without precedent in the text book history of this State or of any other State. "The books sold in South Carolina during the last five years -cost more than $500,000. These books have been in the main displaced, and now have only an exchange value of 50 Der cent.. of their original cost. The new books adopted are higher priced, and every time a pupil or patron is required to exchange an old book there must be a cash payment in addition. "This cash payment will be a tax on every citizen of the State. It may be small in the case of any one book, but will amount to thousands of dol lars in the aggregate. "If Winthrop college should . be burned to the ground there would be a universal lament from the moun tains to the sea. The State board of education, with an absolute disregard of the property rights of the people, has destroyed values and imposed taxes representing an investment equal in value to cost of the magnificent col lege at Rock Hill. Every exchange of books also imposes labor and incon venience in addition to expense. Any man in charge of a -text book deposi tory knows what this incohvenience means. A number of the depositories are conducted by county superintend ents of education, and these officers will feel the strain before the ex change period has .passed. Wholesale Changes Unnecessary. "I do not believe that changes should be made unless the books in use have proved inferior or unsatis factory. The State board of educa tion declined to indicate in writing-the unsatisfactory books on the present list. The agoption of 1906 was 'little short of a elime if inferior books were imposed upon the children of the State. Three members of the pre.sent board took part in that adop tion and must have voted for the books then selected. The change of heart that has taken place in these gentlemen is not questioned by me, but it would be better understood .if it were fully explained. If any city superintendent in a special district ex ercising the right of independen:t te:! book adoption sh3uld enter uponi his work by changing 80 per cent of the books in the hands of the pupils, I do not believe his aetAon would go un challenged. How much more, then, should explanation be offered v'hen the changes affect the whole State iather than a small municipality! Noe Record of Votes. "I had prepared for the use of the board a ballot saowing the name of each member voting and the title of each book voted for. This ballot the board declined to use, because the members did not wish to offend the sensibilities of the various book agents with whom they had established and wished to maintain pleasant relations. This is a laudable sentiment, but it leaves out of the reckoning the sen sibilities of the people. It is a well es tablished principle of representative government that the record of a pub lic servant belongs to his constituents. As State superintendent of education I was anxious for every citizen to know my position in regard to every book that was retained as well as to every book that was changed. I see no reason why the other members of the board should be unwilling to leave a similar record, even though unsuc cessful bidders might be disappointed In the adoption. "The work of the board has been finished, but the tax on the people will not be felt till later. I have pointed out what I consider the unjustifiable disregard of property rights. I also maintain that the wholesale changes ordered by the board were neither necessary nor altogether desirable. I asked for a full record of the proceed ings by which this result was brought about and my request was denied. "I trust that these three facts have been made so plain that the man w runs may read and understand." BLEASE ( N BOOK MATTER. Governor Makes Reply to Statement of Superintendent :Swearingen Pleased With List. Columbia, June 27.-Governor Blease this afternoon gave out a state ment on the text book adoption matter as follows in reply to a statement from the State superintendent of education, Mr. J. E. Swearingen, published Mon day: ' "I have seen Superintendent Swear ingen's statement. "I have no comment to make. He is entitled to his opinion, and I have the highest regard for him; and, if he is a candidate for re-election, he has my best wishes for his success; for I think he is conscientious and trying to do what he believes is right. However, after a most careful and thorough investigation, I am satisfied that the seven gentlemen who rep resented the State by appointm ent - on this board (and who are appointed by my predecessor) are equally as con scientious and as honorable gentle men, and did what they believed was for the best interest of the children of South Carolina. "I considered the changing of this board. Certain newspapers were very loud in their denunciation of me in contemplation of such action and spoke in the very highest and. laud able terms of these geneltmen, and it appeared from their ravings that had I removed these gentlemen I would have been subjected to the most se were censure. "Now, that the adoption Is over, some of these same papers arre criti cising. these gentlemen. If they can make their position consistent, after publishing these contradictory state ments, all right, for it will only be in keeping with the easing of their con science for their other falsehoods and vituperation in which they have en gaged. "On the morning of the beginning of the book adoption, I was called away from Columbia, and, therefore, was not present at the adoption of the books on the morning of the first day. Neither was I present when the vote was taken on the question raised by Superintendent Swearingen, that each man record his vote on each book. If I had been present I would have voted for Mr. Swearingen's plan; and, if any gne is Interested enough to know, I will be delighted to state how I vot ed on each book that was adopted during my presence. I think my rec ord in the house of representatives, and in the State senate and in the governor's office will justify me in saying that I have always been free and open In any act that I iiave ever committed and I have no apologies to make to any man or set of men. I recognise no "boss" but the people, and when I go before them, to them alone will I give an account "I- refused on several occasions to see book men. Notably in this class were the agents of the American Book company, and I have been informed that Mr. Fair, one of their representa tives, was rather severe in his criti cism of my not allowing hi.m to see me and discuss his books with him. When book men called, I.declined to see them-stating to some to see Mr. Swearingen; that he was State super intendent of education, and that the people had elected him to perform that duty and not me. As to Ginn & Co., I guess Mr. Walker will hardly say that I had any favors for them. The only agents with whom I did have any conversation of consequence did not get even a book, 'except Prof. White. "As I have said before, my fight was for Southern books, and we adopt ed White's, Thompson's, Kinard's, Wallace's, Simms' and other South Carolina authors. As to the Wheeler readers, while I was not present when they were adopted they are by a Ken tuckian and many of the other books adopted were by Southern authors; and in my opinion our people would rather pay a little more and have their children taught the truth in Southern books than to pay less and be taught books by Yankee authors, and taught to believe that their grandfathers, and their great-grandfathers, were trai tors to their State. "I regret that Superintendent Swearingen looks at the matter as he does. "As for my part of it, ignorant as I was as to the needs of the children, I did the best I could. As for the bal ance-I refer the people to Prof. O'Driscoll, Mr. Rice, Prof. Daniels, Prof. Renmbert, Prof. Toms, Prof. Thackston and 'Senator Glenn. If this is a Blease board, or if these gentle men were controlled by me, or if they are corrupt, then lay all the blame on my shoulders, and I will gladly carry it until the people of South Carolina give the command 'Lay it down.'" Maneuv'es are in style. The fleet wilm~j - ~ a+ wor-A t TI Col. Every ma that he c he c to se or c out: it Wi eTuis sam she In oSr "Auto graph"' brand, $2 50-3200 i Qodyar Welt sewed; in our Coltohe Wom an's Wa lkingp Shoe $3.00 $3.50-$4.00. It mayoullsa $2.00 owes its re] to the fine comfort an You nev snappier si ireater co Thoe will you'll say men wearing qu your town A Look Dr Bke s ell os Wo the box Teno Byth wy,h 4' ,'. I? Fromtiown il men wasebtiall il As onuDstc Beco hi,T he had gone to se e goods in Would Offer Teeponeo at on ptnt.'" itst. "Whyoe Uinvenrsfal. lTlp ligrh ofsek Pthe dfistan erso Aing possissonrlePaens the U. . ate thefice. ANDEELE4 WINTRO TTOLEE FioNowUn acantchoash s thropcol Tg n he OBmsERV f E. tudent onl beheats "th onty ourtious Conmissiday, July P,atnts t,e .S.ppant mustibentes hxaian forteen awars of ae hnshl ie Right, nbination nufacturer of shoes knows Ln play up any one feature ares to in producing a shoe 11. He can make it stylish omfortable, or he can turn i shoe so heavy and stocky 11 never wear out. He also knows that a nicely balanced combination of these three shoe virtues is about the hardest problem in shoe making. The themn Girl -Shoe-$2.5O yutation and its many friends sense of proportion of style, i durability, each to each. er saw better style-a neater, Loe. Your foot never knew ifort than The Southern Girl ve. Once you've worn a pair you never got better valhe in ility. Look up our dealer in md let him show you the line. DOCK-TERRY CO. yVchburg, Va. Searchlight (.TNER a. s disturbed. e of the firm's traveling The distracted mother be notified. I Telephone call located a neighboring town to le reach him? The Telephone him and he started for home me System is a national search ra for you and locates him if it ye you a Bell Telephone? BELL TELEPHONE 1RAPH COMPANY OBSER VE R the End of the eason for. 50 pany All Orders R COMPANY Charlotte, N. C. tcng Mdanufacturers ventors." "Inventions needed." ~nd rough sketch or model for Our Mr. Gireeley was formerly. .and as such had full.charge_of McINTIRE e will be awarded to tihose making the highest average at this examination, provided they meet the conditions averning the award. Applicants for scholarships should write to Presi dnt Johnson before the examination for scholarship examination blanks. The scholarships are worth $100 and 'free tuition. The next session will open Snptember 20, 1911. For fur ther information and catalogue, ad dress President D. B. Johnson, Rock mt S. C. OUR GOODS Al PRICES T: YOU CAN'T C From the fact that every gets a square deal or nothir actly what you are buying WE SELL TRUTI that's the whole story. We try and as little as possible, so that tl Our Goods Are Our Prices Are We therefore truthfully claim th' a BARGAIN TRADE FOR YC offer bears the same relation to or that a Diamond does to other stoi chief of all. Some dealers chris.t gain" and trust to the name to sF Our Bargains Are Genuine i And best of all bargains offered. prove to you that you can save 3i us than any where else. 0. KLET THE FAIR-SQUA] Excursioi VIA SouthernI From Newber Black Mountain, N. C., and Retu Summer Student Conference Y. M Tigkets sold June 15~ and 16, 19: June 28, 1911. harlottesville, Va., and Return Account University of Virginia Sun July 29, 191i. Tickets sold June July 3 and xo, 1911 , good returning including date.of sale. Koxville, Tenn., and Return Account Summ~er School of the Sot Tickets on sale June 18, 19, 20,: 1911, only', with final limit returnini point not later than, but not iin date of sale.. Monteagle, Tenn., and Return SSewanee, Tenn., and Return Account Opening Week, July i School, July 15-25, 1911, Monteagl July 23-August 30, 1911. Tickets 15, 22, 29-Auguat i1, 12 and 18,. tember 5, 1911. Convenient 'schedules, superb ser' through trains, Dining Car service call on ticket agents, or J. L. MEEK, A. G. P. A., Atlanta, Ga. Atlantic Coast L LOW ROUND TI -FROM Tickets on Sale July 'i To Atlantic City, N. J., at Account Benevolent and Prc Final return limit 'July 20, a to August 20, by depositing i To Rochester, N. Y., via Colun Account A. A. 0. N. Mysi turn limit July 18, which m gust 15 by depositing ticket THESE RATES ARE OPE~ For illustrated booklets d the above cities and trips an man reservations, etc., call c & L. Railway, Newberry, S. W. J. CRAIG, Pass. Traffic Mgr., Wilmington, 1E THE BES HE LOW bET AWA me trading with us g. We tell you ex , or in other words IFUL GOODS to make an honestjprofit ie buyer may come back. All Right All Right at every trade with us is )U. Every bargain we dinary so-called bargains es-it is the king and n any thing as a "Bar I1 it. in NameandNature Come at once. We will. Lore money trading with TNER. R D AL R. 1 Rates. alwa ry, S. C. rn - - $4. .C. A., June 16--25, 19r11. 1, only. Good returning imer Schiool, June 19 to ~7, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26 an4 fifteen days ftom, but not . . . -$835 Lh, June 20,.July728, xer r 24,25, July r, 8, 9 and ?5, g to reach original starting luding, fifteen days from O, 1911,' Monteagle Bible e Sunday School Institute. on sale June 3o-JiilyI1,8 8, 1911, good returning Sep rice, Pullman Cars on all ,For further information A. H.ACKER, T. P.A.,. Augusta, Ga. ie Railroad RI RATE t, 8th and 9th greatly reduced rates. tective Order of Elks. hich may be extended ;icket and paying $1.00 bia & Florence $30.80 ;ic Shrine. Final re ay be extended to Au and paying $1.00. N TO THE PUBL/. escriptive of each of d for schedules, Pull- I n Ticket Agent C. N. C., or address T. C. WHITE, Gen. Pass. Agene. N. C. ~