The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-10-17
Mr. Haywood,. speecI,.
To the Editors of the Messenger:

tJkke - HdtC bCioAO fH~ NsHA~t
speech Of the Hon. w. h. Haywood, at
Charlotte, and think it due TO portion of
the western Wings. that certain reieren.
ces. 10 thai speech, 10 tie legislation OF
1888 aad 40, should be noticed. As IA.
tive North Caroliuian, regre. to see that
the gentleman's whole speech is Of rabid.
partisan Character, aud entirely below that
elevated standard. tina, should characterize
an address of member of the United
States Senate. The two gentlemen who
introduced Mr.. Haywood to the assem-
blagc each drew ririd fancy sketch of
his former services IN behalf OF the west
crn interest, bot must have been astonished
to find the honorable gentleman swallowing
the bait so readily, aud endorsing their
pro lorna compliments as merted. 10 the
course of his remarks be gravely appropri
aies to himself all the credit of the Con
vention question of 1894, and modesfly as
sumes, on his thy shoulders. the hereu'can
responsibility Of the legislation Of 1896
My principal object, however, is TO drawpub.
lie attention TO that portion of his speech,
10 which he attempts to take credit TO the
modern democratic party, for creating the
common school fund, aud for establishing
rhife children. as the basis Of division
among the Counties, of the annual proceeds
thereof. He says: IS The Legislature of
North Carolina, in 1886, was democratic !;
the State a, that time devoted to the Lite.
rary fund, to accumulate for the benefit Of
free schools, about two millions Of dollars !;
the income Of which was to be afterwards
paid to the Counties, according to the mum
Der of waire children IN each. The rule
OF division was an old one--s just one. II.
was rule, however, by which the western
Counties we're entitled 10 the largest share
of the fund, for the obvious reason that they
had the most white children 10 educate, and
of course more need for the means to do it
with. The frs, year the Wing politicians
get majority, though the western people
elect that majority, the law was altered,
and the rule prescribed was to distribute
according to territory, snd then the pest
gained another loss. Bu. IN 1910, the
Wing politicians got an immense majority,
and the rule for distributing the school fund
was again changed, so as to apporilon IT.,
according TO Federal population and then
the pest gained still further loss" Now,
sirs, the law of 1886, referred 10 in those
remarks, is not the origin of the common
school fund, nor does it establish the basis
of uhiae children for distribution, nor has
il been repealed or altered by the Leglsla.
ture of 1888 or $40. Let US examine
this subject, BY reference to the Statute
Book and the Journals of the Legislature,
aud see which Of the present political par.
ties has been instrumental IN establishing
this common school fund, and has taken
the load in North Carolina, in behalf Of
Education. The Constitution of the State
enjoins j, upon the Legislature TO establish
a school ar schools, for the instruction of
youth, and TO encourage useful learning;
but the Legislature did nothing in the mat.
ter until the year 1895, when an act was
passed, creating corporation by the name
of " The President and Directors of the
Literary Fund" TO be composed of the
Governor OF the State, the Chief Justice Of
the Supreme Court, ibe Speaker Of the
Senate, the Speaker Of the House of Com
mons. aud the Treasurer Of the State, for
the time being. and their SUCCESSORS in Of
fee, with all the powers and privileges Of
body corporate aud poiilie. The same
act appropriated to said corporation the an
nuai proceeds Of certain sources of revenue,
TO VIII " The dividends arising froEn the
stock bow held, aud mich may hereafter
Be acquired by ibe State, in The banks of
North Carolina and Cape Fear, and which
have not heretofore been pledged and set
apart for Internal Improvement, the disi
dends arising from Stock, which is owned
by the State in the Cape Fear navigation
company, thu Roanoke navigation conpa.
ny, and The Club Foot and Hariow's creek
canal company, the tax imposed by law 90
licenses to retailers Of spirituous liquors
and auctioheers, the unexpended balance
Of the agricultural fuBd, ell monies paid TO
the State for entries Of vacant lands, the
sum Of twenty one thousand and ninety
dollars, paid for ladian reservations, aud
ofoH the paeaHt and naap9cpriated s,eGmp
lands IN the State, together wi,h such 9th.
er funds as the Legislature may afterwards
appropriate" 10 vest ia the said Board, for
the support Of common and convenient
schools, for The instruction Of youth 10 the
several counties, as The Legislature there.
after might deem expedlen!. The SAID act
further declares that Whenever, 10 the
opinion Of the Legislature, the said fund
shall have sufficiently accumulated, the
proceeds thereof shall be divided among
the several counties, 10 proportion to the
free uhtte population of each, mot whtte
children to be managed and applied IN
such say as the Legislature shall direct"
Here is the original Of the common school
fund, and The original and only compact
between the several counties, relative to its
future distribution.
10 the year 1896. the Legislature chang.
ed the name and style Of The corporation to
The President and Directors of the Lie.