The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-06
THE DEMOCRAT.
THE COUNTY INSTITUTE,

Halifax TO spend the week III Tue
County Institute, County Superin-
tendcnt W. 4. Daniels, IN presenting
Prof. c. d. McIycr. said that he
hoped the work OF the Institute would
meet with the general favor IF the
county, lie referred to Prof, Mclver
rs one OF the foremost educators OF
the State.
There we're present at the opening
about 40 teachers and several more
came IN during the first hour, and
also others later in the day. Prof.
McIvcr opened his rcmarke BY
explaining why the Institute IS held
and how it came about.
More than twelve years ago the
State established what was called
Normal school at Chapel Hill for the
free instruction OF teachers for six
weeks in June and July. Many
teachers ia the Safe were not able
to pay travelling expenses and
board.
Then The State made four other
Normal schools at different points
in the State; and still many teachers
were unable to attend.
Then again the State approprla>
ton WAS Increased and eight Normal
schools were established at different
points in The State; and still many
OF the teachers could not attend.
The last Legislature, trying TO meet
the demands of the teachers of the
State, made provision for an Institute
TO be held in each county; ana also
made it obligatory on every teacher
Of public schools to attend it in order
TO procure a certificate to teach in
the public schools for one year.
Prof. McIyer said that the last
legislature discussed the educational
interest of the State three times as
much as any previous legislature in
the State bad done.
Teachers are not all thet need
awakeniug-the real Awakening must
be among the parents of children.
The ignorance of the State was -e>
ferred to and shown to be alarming.
Concerning public aid to educa>
ton Prof. Mclver said, There is no
objection to public education that
the trGth cannot meet"
He said not half OF the teschers
of the State take newspaper.
Tie speaker grew eloquent in re-
fCrring to tie great resources OF
North Carolina, and said when our
people are properly educated We
shall cease to pray for Northern
capital and Northern brains to come
Tito our State to develop its re.
sources.
The painful but truthful charge
was made that the people Of North
Carolina are no. reading people.
One hundred years after the battle
of GnilfOri Court House Judge
Shcnek publishes modest volume
and cndeavOrs TO tTOve that North
Cardinals sons were not towards
but loses money by the venture O.
publishing only a few hundred
copies.
Twenty-Five years after the battle
OF Gettysburg Capt. Bond publishes
25 cent pamphlet, for he knows DC
other will sell, trying to show in tn
face of all the history thus for re
corded of them that North Carolina
sons were heroes Ga that blood
field. No O0e tries to publish an ex
hau>tiVe history Of North Csrolius
because it would not tie bought su,
read by his own people.
In referring to poverty as an cx
cuse for not edu :ating, Prof. McIve
said that this is one of the stronges
arguments in favor Of educating th
chil1ten. The poorer a man is th
more education be needs.
lie called the children "thc Jewel
of the land"
ON tomorrow (Fndsy,) Pro
McIyer will lecture fox the benef
of parents and taxpayers especially
He says that the people, and not til
teachers, must be reached now
order TO awaken the State on II
subject Of education, The teacher
are supposed to be already allfe I
the work.
We have not had the pleasure
hearing Prof. McIver's lectures
the tea 3hers, bat we know him We
and that. together with tie fine il
preston his work has made with ii
teachers, warrants Us in saying th
the Institute is quite success.
Prof. Mciver will lecture in Sc,
land Neck Friday night of this wee
Salt SheHin
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