The Times and Democrat from Orangeburg, South Carolina • 8

EIGHT. THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT, ORANGEBURG, S. SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1916, SWEARINGEN WRITES ABOUT STATE'S EDUCATIONAL NEEDS STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION EXPRESSES HIS VIEWS TO REPRESENTATIVE BERRY AFTER READING RECENT ARTICLE ABOUT VOTERS WHO MADE THEIR MARK Every thoughtful citizen of South Carolina is interested in the problem of educating her people. Differences may be found as to the course to be followed but shea bareness our ignorance the need of more intelligence is too apparent to be denied. Mr.

J. E. Swearingen, State Superintendent of Education, is one of men working for educational advancement in the State. Recently, in a letter to Representative J. A.

Berry, of Orangeburg, Superintend Swearingen discussed the educacional situation in this state very plainly and with full knowledge of conditions. With the consent of both parties, The Times and Democrat is printing to-day the letter. It is well worth reading. Columbia, Dec. 20, 1915.

Hon. J. A. Berry, Orangeburg, S. C.

Mr. Berry: Your letter of December 18 with enclosure from The Times and Democrat is hereby acknowledged. It is a pleasure to note your interest in this educational problem. The Democratic club rolls of 1914 gave the first chance to show definitely the number of white men in South Carolina willing to sign their name with a mark. Some of these signatures are genuine, indicating a real lack of this simple training; others are not genuine because they were placed on the club rolls from unusual or exceptional The fact remains, however, that too much ignorance and illitoracy prevail in South Carolina.

Th, remains the equally appall an that too large a proportion fact men are not ashamed to names with a cross. eir the Students familiar with lic school conditions and not af Be, fanciful and fantastic mindful of these facts, and SU have been trying to correcto But these students and these could not peter a hearing bed- St the be performances appointed, the performers State who agitating are all n- sorta of notions. The relation between the public schools and the colleges was overshadowed and forgotten. Men talked glibly about faith in the common schools, but they gave nothing but talk to support them. The State rocked along, appropriating thousands of dollars to build State, colleges and to provide higher education.

The masses of the people were limited to the public schools, and could not get even inside the college doors. The children of these only three the year people could sometimes, go to school because school funds were so limited. lina which rubber stamp boards are made the the instruments for carrying out schemes of self-appointed leaders. This evil can not be too quickly stamped out. 8.

There ought to be a State Board of Education with supervisory control over the State's educational system from the kindergarten to the university, This board ought to have sufficient power to co-ordinate, correlate and classify all the educational activities of the State. Its appointment might require a constitutional amendment, change is only one of the improvements which will have to come before our educational system can educate all the people. At the approaching session of the legislature there are some immediate changes which ought to be considered. In further compliance with your request, I am enumerating these needs below: (a) The practice of supplying free board and free clothes to college students ought to be abolished. There are now over 450 college students enjoying this privilege.

Half of them will leave the State before ink on their diplomas becomes argon Their education is. of course, a great blessing to them, but it brings no adequate return to the Commonwealth. Nature has given many of these scholarship holders a fair degree of talent; opportunity has added scholarship and training; upon graduation they seek other localities in order to secure promotion more readily than it can be had in South Carolina. (b) The so-called extension work in State colleges is simply a form of advertising. It ought to receive careful pruning.

(e) The property of the State is assessed at $310,000,000. There are in South Carolina more mortgages escaping taxation than there are dollars on the tax books. The law ought to require that no mortgage shall be collectible in excess of the assessed valuation of the property described in it. This action alone would place millions of dollars on the tax books. and would relieve industrious, home buying, home loving workers of the necessity of carrying a swarm of asites on their back.

(d) A tax one inheritance and on all forms of property transfers would be eminently wise. It would be opposed chiefly by wealthy property no holders. (e) The chief weakness in South Carolina is too much ignorance. The direct result of this ignorance is poverty in men who do not know how to work. Among the whites, seventy or seventy-five per, cent.

never advance through fifth grade. Among the negroes, ninety-five per cent. never advance to the fifth grade. Any country which neglects, overlooks, and grinds down its working classes will some day pay the I reckoning. There is no conflict between higher education, secondary education and elementary education.

There should be no rivalry the workers in all she can get, she will never either field. South, Carolina needs get it until the organization of her public school system has been made. No small proportion of the money now spent, even in the public schools, is wasted because of the lack of professional supervision and competent classroom instruction. I have written at length, and rather plainly, because I thought you wished a frank expression of my views. Do not hesitate to criticise COUNTY'S JAIL CROWDED, BADLY VENTILATED AND IS A FIRE TRAP ASSISTANT SECRETARY A.

D. OLIPHANT, OF THE STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES AND CORRECTIONS, INSPECTED PENAL INSTITUTIONS OF ORANGEBURG CITY AND COUNTY them in any particular. know that you are striving to improve conditions, and I only wish every member of the general assembly would inquire especially and closely into every department of governmental activity. ability the people to support all these activities bears a direct relation to their productive power. Our present educational system has lost sight of this poverty basis, and has dependence.

given us illiteracy, Yours respectfully, J. E. Swearingen, State Supt. of Education. LARGE REAL ESTATE PROJECT 38 Excellent Building Lots Created Out of Waste Land.

We call attention to an advertisement in this paper concerning the thirty-three excellent building lots which are now being offered for sale by Mr. Jas. M. Albergotti, the owner of the property. An old saying is: the man who makes two blades of grass grow where one grew before is a public benefactor.

According to this doctrine the man who makes waste land available for building purposes must be similarly classed. Some years ago the trustees of the Orangeburg College bought a large tract of land on the east side of Broughton street below the Atlantic Coast Line railroad and eventually intended to use it as site for new dormitories and buildings, At that time the land was covered in weeds and undergrowth, as well as being very uneven. In the financial difficulties that finally overcame the college the project never was put into operation, and finally after passing through several hands come into those of Mr. Jas. M.

Albergotti. In his management the land has undergone a complete change. five-foot concrete drain with a roof six inches thick has been placed through the lower part of the land, into which more than three thousand feet of tile drainage empties, thus giving the entire tract of land an excellent drainage. The higher portions of the land has been cut down and the lower part filled in so that the entire tract is available for residential purposes. The work is still going on and will not be entirely completed for three weeks.

CANDIDATE FOR SOLICITOR Mr. A. J. Hydrick, who was candidate for the recent appointment as solicitor for the unexpired term of the late Hon. P.

T. Hildebrand, has announced his candidacy for the office, and will make the race next summer. agreeably surprised last week by the members of the police force when he was presented with a gold watch and Event for chain by them. The watch was inpage five. scribed "To Our Chief." $6,000.00 to Develop Property on Union Avenue and Rowe Street How Beautiful Residential Lots Have Been Created Out of Eleven Acres of Waste Land.

Every one at all familiar with Orangeburg can easily remember the wilderness that once flourished just below the A. C. L. depot on the east side of Broughton Street. Uneven bottom land grown up in weeds didn't make a very imposing spectacle--it was an eye-sore, very noticeable because of its proximity to the city proper.

A PERSONAL officials of the Orangeburg College, when it was in operation, realized the wonderful possibilities of the property, and selected it I HAVE BEEN INTERESTED AND CONCERNED as a site for new dormitories and buildings. Before the land would be available, however, for building purposes much work was necessary, IN ORANGEBURG REALTY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND I AM CONFIDENT OF THE WONand in the financial difficulties that followed the college was never able to fulfill its plans. DERFUL POSSIBILITIES OF MY PROPERTY ON UNION AVENUE AND ROWE STREETS. As a result of the disruption of the Orangeburg College and the sale of its property this piece of property came into the hands of the owner. He immediately began to realize the ideal and to reclaim the land for residential purposes.

All the underbrush was cleared, FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES IT IS UNSURpresent PASSED. ITS PROXIMITY TO THE BUSINESS a six-inch culvert was run through the land, 3,000 feet of tile drainage was laid, the high land was cut down and the low land build up. Now SECTION CAN NOT BUT APPEAL TO THE INVEShe has one of the prettiest sections of Orangeburg available for building. TOR. UNION AVENUE AT ROWE STREET IS 110 FEET NEARER THE COURT HOUSE THAN THE Union Avenue graded under the supervision of City Engineer Hawes, and runs through the from Broughton Street to the SOUTHERN PASSENGER STATION.

was property Southern Railway's right of way. Rowe Street will be continued across the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, thus giving splendid and close MONEY IS CHEAPER THAN IT HAS EVER approach to the business sections of Orangeburg. BEEN KNOWN IN THE SOUTH. BUILDING OPERATIONS HAV EBEEN HALTED BY THE WAR FOR OVER A YEAR. ALL SIGNS POINT TO A NEW Very few people have any idea of the beautiful lay of the land where Rowe Street intersects Union Avenue--if you take the trouble to ERA OF PROSPERITY.

WOULD NOT THIS BE A look you will be surprised and convinced. It will be interesting to view the property if for no other reason than to see the wonderful im- GOOD TIME TO START. provement made. Improvements that cost the owner $6,000, but has made the property ideal for residential purposes. THE FIRST TEN LOTS I WILL SELL AT A VERY REASONABLE PRICE.

I WILL NOT BE IN A The owner of the property is unable to continue the development of the entire property without assistance, therefore he is offering ten HURRY TO SELL THE LAST TEN. lots to the public at reasonable prices and terms. The first purchasers, of course, get the choice of the lots--all seventy-five feet front with LET ME TAKE YOU TO SEE THIS PROPERTY. varying depths. Only ten lots will be sold now- -the owner is too confident of the future development of the property than to let all go.

He wants to be in a position to reap the full benefits of the extensive work he is carrying through. J. M. ALBERGOTTI There are thirty-thiree lots in all. Only ten are for sale now, and those interested should see Mr.

Jas. M. Albergotti, the owner, at once. An Investment In Real Estate Is Certain-. The Value Of Urban Property Grows With The City.

CITADEL WILL PLAY CLEMSON Big Football Game Has Been Secured For Orangeburg County Fair. Fortunately, in 1909 the general assembly turned to the real need of educating the people. The lawmakers appropriated twenty thousand dollars for weak schools. The effect was so clearly recognized and the benefits so evident that the policy has been extended from year to year. The legislature of 1914 appropriated $285,000 for the public schools.

This amount will have to be increased in 1916 if the people in the rural districts are to have a chance to send their boys and girls to school six or seven months. I wish I could say eight months, or even nine months, but such a term is absolutely out of the question with the now in sight. In fact, an eight months' term can not be maintained in South Carolina until a better system of financing the schools have been provided. At the same time, no educated man will deny that an eight months' term Fought to be the minimum in our public school system. In some districts, one teacher is perpetrating 1 the farce of attempting to handle 60, 70, 80, 90 or even 100 pupils.

The money used for salary in such a case is practically wasted. The center of every county system of education rests in the county superintendent's office. This hardworking. unpaid official is criticised frequently because of his inability to make brick without straw. I am glad that you are studyng the illiteracy situation in Orangeburg county.

In compliance with your request am listing some of the things which I consider necessary to help improve this situation: 1. More money for the public schools. 2. A minimum school term of at least seven months, which must be raised at the earliest practical mothment to eight months. 3.

Organization of the county betuperintendent's office for by the providing salary $1,800 county Couperintendent, a woman supervisor rural schools at a salary of $900, erind an office clerk at a salary of ins300. 4. A State Board of Examiners for Teachers so as to guarantee preparation, scholarship and efficiency in classroom instructors. 5. Co-ordination and correlation among the five State colleges in order to prevent the wasteful extravagances and useless expenditure of money simply to duplicate courses and equipment.

This suggestion will be bitterly opposed boy college boards, college presidents, and college faculties. 6. Some direct attention to agricultural and industrial teaching. 7. Every public servant, school officer or otherwise, should be directly responsible to the constituency he is attempting to serve.

practice of trying to govern by invisible agencies is creating a system in South Caro- Secretary J. M. Hughes announced this week that a final settlement had been made between the athletic authorities of the Citadel and of County Clemson Fair College authorities with the whereby Orangeburg the annual match between these two state institutions in 1916 would be played on Thursday of the Fair week next year. This is one of the most important football games of South Carolina an having secured it for the Orangeburg Fair means that it will rival, if it does not excel, the annual ClemsonCarolina football attraction at the State Fair. It is hoped by the management of the Fair association that this game can be made a permanent feature of the local Fair.

In securing the match Secretary Hughes was materially aided by Secretary W. A. Livingston of the local Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, who conducted much of the correspondence, and he had the hearty co-operation of the Hon. J. T.

Liles, chairman the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives, who also wrote urging the colleges to come to Orangeburg. IMPROVED FARMING METHODS Machinery Being Utilized by Bowman Farmers More Than Ever. (Special to The Times and Democrat) Bowman, Dec. -An occasional farmer here and there has commenced preparation for the production of crops for the new by cutting stalks with machinery, putting the ground in splendid condition for plows to follow. Others are ing to turn under the entire old growth of stalks with three-horse plows deep enough that there is little or no sign of the old stalks to be seen anywhere, furnishing 110 little plant food, later on.

Labor saving implements are being utilized by farmers in the preparation and production of crops and farmers are taking hold of them right along, and the probability is that in a few more years there will be an awakening along this line resulting in SO much success that many will wonder why they did not take hold sooner. Small grain is still being planted. There are as good oats produced in the twelve days as some sown earlier. Officers for the New Year. (Special to The Times and Democrat) the last regular communication of Charity lodge, No.

62, A. F. M. the following officers were elected and installed for the ensuing year: J. T.

Owen, W. T. H. Parler, S. J.

S. Dantzler, J. T. Evans, treasurer; J. K.

Stoudenmire, secretary; I. Berger, S. D. W. McEachern, J.

Bair and H. Snell, stewards, and J. W. Wactor, tiler. Chief of Police Complimented.

Chief of Police R. F. Jennings was The State Board of Charities and Corrections through A. D. Oliphant, its assistant secretary, finished last Tuesday its first inspections of county and municipal penal and charitable institutions in Orangeburg.

Mr. Oliphant visited the Orangeburg county and city jails Monday morning, the former in company with Representative Joe Berry, J. Lerpy Dukes and Jailer R. O. Bozard: and the latter with Mr.

Berry, Mr. Dukes and Chier. Oliphant Jennings. went to Monday the chain afternoon gang camp on the Mt. Lebanon road with Sheriff Salley, Supervisor Hungerpiller and Mr.

Dukes and to the county farm with Representative Berry. the penal and charitable institutions in Orangeburg, one with demands the most immediate drastic attention is the county declared the representative of the State Board of Charities and Corrections. prisoners quarters are structurally inadequate, over-crowded as they are arranged present, badly ventilated and a fire trap." The average daily population of the Orangeburg county jail during the first three quarters of 1915 was thirteen prisoners. "It is probable that of the average of thirteen people confined each day in the jail from Janthrough September 12 were said Mr. Oliphant.

The county has provided four cells in a "cage" on the second floor of the jail for housing them. The average number of negro in each of these cells was three. The cells are dark even on the brightest day. On Monday morning there were eighteen negro males in these four cells, each of which is seven feet long, six and feet wide, and seven feet high." To alleviate the conditions due to structural defects in the county jail, Mr. Oliphant recommends: the interior of the jail be remodeled, which should have for its aim (a) the better separation of the races and sexes; (b) the improvement of sanitary conditions, and (c) the reduction of the fire hazard.

particularize: The wooden floor on the second story should be replaced by a floor preferably of reinforced concrete or at least of some slow burning and waterproof material. The wooden casing of the walls should be replaced by cement walls. The wooden ceiling should be replaced metal ceiling. the windows in the outer walls of the second floor of the jail should be enlarged to three feet by six feet if it can be done without weakening walls unduly. If enlarging all the windows will weaken the walls too much, such of the windows should be enlarged as is practicable.

added to for negro male "Two additional. cells should be prisoners. The cellar underneath the jail should be enlarged and a steam heatins, "'The. plant wooden installed. stairs leading to the second floor of the jail should be replaced by iron stairs." In regard to the chain gangs, county almshouse and city jail, Mr.

Oliphant said that the exhibition of interest in these institutions by citizens Orangeburg would be helpful. "The almhouse especially offers a good outlet for the energies of women's societies," explained Mr. Oldphant. "This is true of the other twenty-seven counties besides Orangeburg in which the secretary of the state board of charities and corrections and myself have done visitorial and advisory work 80 No. citizen avoid his responsibility as an individual for conditions which may obtain the public penal and charitable institutions in his county.

Officials in charge of these institutions need his advice and encouragement. Citizens should take care, though, that their interest does not take the form of maudlin and unproductive sympathy for prisoners, paupers and convicts. Sympathy for these classes has its place as long AS society permits the continuance of certain conditions of which they are SO largely the product. However, unless the sympathy of citizens takes the form of active steps for bettering conditions which surround these classes, then its very uselessness condemns it. The assistant secretary of the State Board of Charities and Corrections said before leaving Orangeburg Tuesday afternoon that he had been greatly encouraged by the interest various officials and citizens had taken in his work and especially pleased by the co-operative attitude the officials had manifested.

Personals From Bowman. (Special to The Times and Democrat) Bowman, Dec. -Mr. David Reeves and family of St. George were on a visit to relatives here this week.

Miss Daisy Utsey, who has a good position navy yard, Charleston, is spending her vacation with parents, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Utsey, R. F.

D. 1. Mrs. Etta McCarrel and son of Charleston are the guests of Miss Utsey while visiting at her old home. Mr.

C. B. Farrar of Charleston, is also a guest of Mr. and Mrs. Utsey for some days.

Orangeburg Locomotive Met Accident Thursday evening while shifting several cars around the yard the locomotive of the Orangeburg Railway got in the way of the two cars which started to roll down the track and the impact derailed the engine. Big January Sale. Money-Saving is advertised on Marriage at Bowman. (Special to The Times and Democrat) Bowman, Dec. -Miss Minnie Arant, daughter of Mr.

and Mrs. M. A. Arant, was married on the twentyninth by Rev. Mr.

Beckham of the Orangeburg, Cameron. circuit to The Mr. couple William has the well wishes of their many friends in this section. Kohn's January.