EDUCATION. South Carolina has a negro popu lation greatly in excess of the white, and has con sequently had to deal with most serious problems in the matter of providing adequate educational facilities. The considerable success attained is shown by the decrease in illiteracy. In 1900. 35.9 per cent. of the total population above ten years of age could not read, as against 55.4 per cent. in 1880. The percentage of illiteracy among the native whites is only 13.6, as compared with 52.8 for the colored population; but the colored illiteracy has been reduced from 78.5 per cent. in 1880. The length of the school term is short. hut is becoming longer. In 1901 the average term for the white schools was 21.17 weeks, for the negro schools weeks. No compulsory at tendance law has been passed. The State Gov ernor appoints the State Board of Education. This board appoints the county boards, and the latter in turn appoint the trustees in the small districts. Educational progress is seriously handicapped by a lack of financial support and the resulting inadequacy of teachers' wages. In 1901 white teachers received an average annual wage of $183.91 and the negro teachers $30.30.
The new Constitution increased the State school tax from two to three mills, and in the school year 1900-01 the receipts from this source amounted to $520,294. In 1900-01 the expendi tore for white schools was 8726.825 and for negro schools $211,287. Any school district may levy special taxes for schools, but only a small number have availed themselves of this privilege. In 1900 there were 281,891 pupils enrolled and 201,295 in average attendance. There were 2422 male and 3142 female teachers. Normal school education for females is provided by the State at the Winthrop Normal and Industrial College at Bock Hill. The State provides higher education for both sexes at the South Carolina College (q.r.), located at Columbia. There are also a number of small denominational and coeducation al colleges. Of the nine colleges and seminaries for females Converse College, a non-sectarian in stitution at Spartanburg, is the largest. The State has an agricultural college at Clemson College, at which also courses in civil, electrical, mechanical, and textile engineering are given.