4(V2 A SKETCH OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA. 



and often, to supply text-books to indigent pupils. The attendance gen- 

 erally averaged from eighty to a hundred for each teacher. 



Notwithstanding the existence of numerous admirable private schools, 

 it was resolved, in 1854, to make such improvements in the free school 

 system as were demanded by the progress of the city, and the growing 

 needs of the people. The first step was the erection of the Bennett, the 

 Memminger, the Friend Street, and the Morris Street School buildings. 

 Trained teachers were secured who soon raised the schools to a high de- 

 gree of excellence. Four thousand white 2:)upils attended during the 

 year 1860. 



At the close of the war, the school authorities recognizing the altered 

 condition of affairs, set apart the Morris Street building, the largest of 

 all, for the instruction of the colored children. This action, and the pre- 

 vious destruction of the Friend Street school, by fire, in 1861, has left 

 somewhat restricted accommodations for white pupils. 



THE FIVE TEACHERS 



of 1811 had grown, in 1881, to 91, six males and eighty-five females. The 

 white pupils numbered 2,009, and the colored 2,005, a total of 4,014. 



The schools were as follows : 



Bennett School, Mr. H. P. Archer; bo3-s, 745, girls, 379. Total, 1,124. 



Memminger School, Miss Simonton, girls, 597. 



Meeting Street School, Mr. F. W. Clements; boys, 108, girls, 180. To- 

 tal, 288. 



Morris Street School (colored), Mr. A. Doty ; boys, 547, girls, 714. To- » 

 tal, 1,261. , 



Shaw Memorial School (colored), ]\lr. Edward Carroll ; bo3^s, 330, girls, 

 414. Total 744. 



The School Session embraces a period of ten months, vacations occur- 

 ring in August and September, with two weeks in April and one in De- 

 cember. Daily sessions from 9 A. M., to 2 P. ]M. 



SCHOOL LAW. 



At every general municipal election, one School Commissioner is 

 elected for each ward. These Commissioners constitute the School Board 

 and elect officers, and perform all such duties as devolve upon the Boards 

 of Trustees of other School Districts. 



A City Superintendent is elected by the Board. Mr. William Simons 

 is the present incumbent. 



