The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-11-30

"
a auI-.Is Ahead of Most States in
rruck.-Its Remarkable Educational
Progress.
From the Atlanta Journal.
RALEIGH, y. C., October 17.--Henry
a. Hester, secretary of the New Or
leans Cotton Exchange, sent Governor
Carr the following telegram, dated
September I'd, 1895;
Il congratulate you and the people
of North Carolina on her remarkable
progress in cotton manufacture, She
is now practically equal TO South Car
olina. the largest cotton consumer IN
the south BY the actual census or
mills North Carolina has consumed
of this years crop $4,000 bales, an
increase of $4,000 over last year. She
has new spindles which may be
brought into play in 1S95-96 winch,
with fair trade conditions, should IN
crease her total TO at least 100000.
In 1890 North Carolina consumed
114.OoO bales. So your State has prac-
tically doubled her cotton manufac-
lures within the past five years.
In 1870 the census reported es-
adjustments, with a capital of ST.
$50. 900, operating 618 looms and 39,897
spindles.
In 1880 the census states the number
of establishments to be 49, an increase
of IS over that of 1870, with capital
of So. s55. 900, with 92,385 spindles.
The August Bulletin of the North
Carolina department of agriculture
issued yesterday shows to-day that
there are 149 cotton mills in opera
oil
in process of construction; and tine
capital stock subscribed for eight
more. thus practically making 100
cotton mills in North Carolina with
an estimated capital of about nine
million dallars. 10000 looms and 756,
oDU spindles These figures tell more
eloquently than words the growth of
the cotton manufacturing industry in
North Carolina since the Atlanta Ex
position in 1851. The increase of spin
dies from 92,385 to 10000 is marvel
Gus. In 1880 North Carolina grew
800 598 bales. of cotton. 1T is estimated
that the total crop this year will be
100000 bales, of which the North Car
DINA mills will consume more than
half. In five years she has doubled
her cotton manufactures, in 1890 con-
suming $4,000 bales, and consuming
in 1895, 227, 900 bales. At this rate
of increase, it will be only very few
years before North Carolina will man
ufacture all its own cotton and have
TO buy from its sister States more in
order to keep its mills busy
EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS
i lie greatest progress, outside of
cotton manufacturing, has been made
in education. In 1854 the public
school fund amounted to about $780,
900. In 1894 it was $777, 079.29. There
were $4,000 children enrolled in the
J public schools in 1851. In 1894 there
were 359,3S5. The attendance at the
State University, and at Wake Forest,
Trinity, Davidson. Elon and the other
colleges and high schools in the State
has more than doubled In these wears
100000 have been expended in educa-
ting teachers for the coIored race
New normal schools for the colored
teachers; an agricultural and mechan-
ical college for each race; and a nor
NAL and industrial school for women
have been established in the last ten
years, and constitute an important
factor in the educational system of
the State. There has been even great
er growth in favorable public senti-
ment, and the State is now engaged
in a great educational revival which
is bearing fruit III every department
of life. Practically all opposition to
public education has disappeared, and
the State is beginning TO realize that
it canot afford to permit any citizen,
rich or poor, white or black, to grow
up in ignorance. In the larger towns
first-class graded schools are conduct
ed ten months in the year, and in the
country districts the term varies,
few schools having term longer than
four mounths, but the new school tax
viii permit an increase in the term,
and many school districts will vote an
increased tax upon themselves for a
longer school term.
TOBACCO CULTURE AND MANU-
FACTURE
With the exception of portions OF
Halifax and Pittsylyania county, Va,
that beautiful yellow tobacco known
as virginia Bright" is exclusively
grown in North Carolina, being can
ed Virginia Bright" because before
the war it was mostly sold in the mar
kets of Richmond and Petersburg
In 1881, it was not believed that this
tobacco could be grown in more than
half a dozen counties in the State,
but actual experience has shown that
a dozen eastern counties, devoted al
most exclusively to the cultivation of
cotton up to the discovery, makes
quite as good tobacco as the old Brass
fields count, long regarded as the
home and favored spot of bright"
Prices for this tobacco. ranging from
$50 TO So per puond, have not been
uncommon In one eastern county.
Wilson, which in 1880 made only s,745
pounds of tobacco, the land, which
was supposed to be unfit for its pro-
dnction, 900 pounds were made in
1889, and in this year (1895) the crop
will reach 100000 pounds. In that
county eight farmers received the com
bined average Of 223 cents per pound,
and produced an average of 902 pounds
.a...r aa.re ennal TO &2ll 10 Leg. cnst