The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1891-02-25

Is the most important which viii come
before the house. The tone aud sinew
or tue state, the laboriug men. demand
the increase 1t is a pi-a for the igaor-
ant children. The free chool system of
the State Is II depio. able condition
Ine terms, only ? months long, are not
what the people need and demand
Hardly do the children Get into their
books nefore the term ends 1t i A sa-
cred duty TO vote for tile Ill. h de-
eiared tnat the pnblic s-noo teachers IN
the State would bear com srison with
those of any other States. lie pleaded
Tor longer terms and better .ystem
Mr.. PEBBLES said the free chools are
now on the high road TO success and
prosperity. The Democrats ST c. 1879
have been paying 500, 600 Year for the
public schools. He contrasted tL,s with
the state of affairs in Republican days
He would go as far as any one in aid Of
the. free schools. BE alluded t, Mr.
Lineback's statement that there were
appropriations asked for the Chicago ex-
position, the agricultural college, &c,
and said these appropriations, as WEI as
that to the University OF the State,
should be made. He urged care in this
matter and he anted to hear from the
finance committee If the chairman of
that COMMITTEES said 1t could be done, he
was IN favor OF the increase Of taxation
tie thought there ought to be care in the
matter. He did not attach much In
portance to the demands OF the Alliance.
He was asked by Ar- Alexander
If the State Alliance had not
demanded an increase, and by Mr..
Gilmer if the demand for an Increase
was not also plank in the Democratic
platform. Mr. PEBBLES then asked what
the increase In taxation would be. Mr.
Gilner replied it would be about four
cents, making Twenty-Five cents Mr..
PEBBLES said the matter was one directly
touching the finances Of the State.
Mr.. Pritchard said the question was
not d political one. All the platforms
had declared for more aud better schools.
lt was vital question. 1t was to edu
cate the poor culldren; not to educate the
rich. He spoke with warmth on the re-
marks of Mr.. PEBBLES on the Republican
party in 1868 8. All parties and both
races demanded this increase.
Mr.. Alexander said, as to the motion
TO refer to the Finance Committee, that
it Was necessary that this question as to
what the public school fund should be
settled SO the Finance Committee could
know what amount to appropriate. All
parties favor the bill. He opposed any
reference.
Mr. Lineback declared that it was not
true that the Republicans We're working
now in the House, with someDemocrats,
10 put this bill through SO as to leopard
| lze the Democratic chances two years
| Eence.
Mr.. Holman said there was no truer
| friend or education than himself He
| wished TO say that if all the appropria-
! tions desired were made it would run
| The taxes up in the thirtie5. When the
| figures get up that high the counties are
| cralnpel They will have to run on
credit. This will be the case as to every
county save CASTOR. What could be
| done was to let the people of the respec-
! ave school dictricts, &c, vote on tire
question Of taxation for schools. He
would vote for bill proposing an
amendment to the Constitution, making
the rate 20 cents for schools lie then
| ff6red a substitute (the one offered by
| Mr.. Henry.
Mr. PEBBLES replied very vigorously to
| DIR. Prltchard and sail if That gentleman
was disgusted with what the kepubli
cans had done he ought to leave that
| party. He WAS here for prudent legisla
| lion, and wished to take no step without
| looking ahead. While the Republicans
xonld not charge the Democrats with
| increasing the school tax, they would
call attention to the fact thai the Demo
Gratis had raised the taxes. He thought
the Democrats should be very prudent
and not jeopardize tkeir chances in 1892.
Their great majority last year was de-
| ceptive. It was due to Republican dis.
| sensions.
Mr. McGlll said be had early in the
session proposed to economic in the
schools, by Stopping the leaks, saving
| the heavy expenses OF operating the
schools. No less than $4,000 year is
| expended for school house sites. Sup
pose this is cut off, will it not serve the
purpose2 His county Alliance had in-
structed him not to vote for a cent of in
crease of appropriation, but for reduc
ZION of expenses. The latter matter
should be considered before the increase
of taxation is taken up. He hoped the
| bill would be referred to the com nit
| tee on education. He was in accord with
Mr. PEBBLES views IL Was best to go
low.
Mr.. Wood thought the people OF the
counties could best decide what they
want. Hence his amendment, which
leaves the whole matter to the people.
Rest assured the people will be satisfied
if this is done. 1t will satisfy all classes.
Mr.. Gilmer said the amendment was
directly in the teeth of the constitution.
The county commissioners might lul-
pose various taxes for the schools, so
that there would not be uniform system
of common schools. He thought Mr..
Holman's substitute was open to the
same objection; that is it was not con-
| hn 1nd
not mentioned in the constitution.
| Mr.. PEBBLES said the system must be
uniform, but the constitution does not
say the taxation must be uniform.
Mr.. Holmau's substitute, allowing the
people to vote on taxation for free pub
lie schools" in like manner as taxes for
graded schools" are now voted on-that
IS upon petition of one-third of the free.
holders. Mr.. Holman called the ayes
and noes on his substitute. Mr.. PEBBLES
motion to re refer the bill to the finance
committee was first voted on, and lost.
The vote on the substitute was ayes 40
noes SO, as follows:
Messrs. Adams, Aston, Beck. Bell,
Bond, Chears, Cofield, Cole, Cox, Davis,
Denny of Surry, Ednundson, Franck.
Cover, Grier, Hall of Halifax. Hall OF
Orange, Henry, Holman, Hood, Hopkins,
Kirby, Lowe, Mann, Mayes, McGlll,
Morton, Murdock, OlIer, PEBBLES, Per
ry, Phillips of Nash, Pigford, Prince
Sutton, Upchurch, Watson, Watkins,
Williams, Yancey, Zachary. Ayes AZ.
Messrs. Alexander, Anderson of Hen
derson; Anderson OF Hertford, Banner
Bass, Biddix, Brake, Bridgers, Brinson
Bryan of Wilkes, Buchanan, Gale, Call,
way, Chappell. Cobb, Currie. Daniels
Denny of Guilford, Dickson, Edwards
Gatling. Gill, Gilmer. Hedrick, Hen
bricks, Hieman, Houck, Hudson, Jones'
Kearnes. Lineback. Lowery, Mcclure,