The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1886-02-10

ton in the free-thinking American
mind. Unlike many Of the Older
European governments, which exer-
else absolute supervision of the train
ing of their youth, Ours can only
encourage such systems and methods
as to our liberty-loving people may
seem in consonance with the spirit
of our free institutions. The sys-
TENS r presented and dictated by
the people and the government is
permitted to aid in sustaining them.
Hence, the seeming or real conflicts
constantly arising between the sub
ject and State, as to the limits of the
prerogatives of each in their efforts
to promote education. But in the
rapid development of progress in all
it's departments we shall soon reach
the point when subject and State, it
seems to us, must Danish all diff
ferences and unite tremendously and
in hearty cooperation. We refer to
that department of education which
involves the special and practical troin-
ing of the children Of the masses, for the
respective uocations IN life uhich they
are to fill.
We would not,disparage the great
and grand work Of u colleges and
other higher institutions Of learning,
but we believe they could be i'm
proved and made more useful if a
more practical cast could be engraft-
ed upon them. In the main, they
+ adapted to and meet the de-
mands for which they were estab-
lished-to-wit The education of
those who are able to avail them
selves of these advantages. But we
repeat, that in our Judgment even
their systems could be made Of much
greater advantage to their students.
We believe that the college, where
the boy finds the whole influence of
association and the curriculum, OPP
posed to the farm, or to the work
shop, or the factory, as desirable OBJ
iects for an educated mind, that, to
say the least of it, is susceptible of
improvement. In ante-bellum times
our systems of education in the
South looked chiefly to the develop
ment of only one department Of hui
man effort-the renown of profess
sional achievement or conquest on
the forum. But the demands of the
times, under our changed condition,
call loudly for a new departure.
They n for educated farmers, edu-
Gated mechanics and educated arti-
sans, whose callings shall be dignifed
by the very systems under which
they are prepared and trained.
This brings us to consider
HOW THIS SUBJECT is REGARDED in
NORTH CAROLINA.
We have but voiced the sentiments
and views of a very large majority
of the thinking men of ourState on
the situation, SO far as relates to our
colleges, and the conviction is grow
ing and fastening itself upon their
minds that anew departure is de-
handed. This found expression in
the action of some of our patriotic
citizens during the last session of
Il Legislature, when they present
ed a memorial for the establishment
of an industrial school. In compli-
ance herewith, an Act was passed
authorizing it's establishment on GER
tain conditions. The Act provided
that the Board of Agriculture should
receive proposals OF bids from the
towns and cities Of the State desir-
ing to have the schoolLto this was
to be added $1,000 from the fund of
the Agricultural Department. Bids
were made by Kinston and Raleigh
and Charlotte. The city of Char
lotte offered $4,000 and a site; Ra-
leigh, $4,000, a site and the old FIX
position building, estimated to be
worth $4,000 is $4,000, the use of
twenty acres Of ground and the free
use OF convicts to tear down and re-
move the Exposition building, and
Kinston offered $4,000. The ac-
ceptance or rejection of bids was left
to the discretion of the Board. The
bid made by Raleigh particularly.
was urged by leading citizens with
much earnestness and zeal, but the
Board decided, after much discus
sion, to postpone the matter indef
initely. This action on the part of
the Board has drawn upon that body
sharp comment from a portion of the
press of the State, to which DR.. X.
P. Battle, president of our Univer-
c;4x, ro,1;o, onJ ,rbn ,x, ~