The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-13
4 WISE EDUCATIONAL ADVANCE.

The educa tional mass meeting held in
West Durham Wednesday evening was
the first OF the kind ever held in or near
Durham and the example set by Mr.. Er-
win is one that it would be well for all
other mill men in the State to follow.
Mr.. Erwin was present at the meeting
and made talk during which he spoke
of the Importance Of all attending school
as much as possible and stated that
among those who sold cotton to the mill
larger per cent. of the colored men
could sign their name than Of the white
men.
He said that every day he saw chill
dren running around on the streets play.
ing in the mud and dirt who ought TO be
in school and that in the future when
children become large enough to work
he would not employ any in the mill who
could not read and write He further
said that all children should be kept in
school Mt least from six to twelve years
of age and if the parents did not compel
them to go they need not expect to get
work for them in the cotton mill up
there.
This is Il good resolution and will no
doubt result in much good being DONE
1t is n fact that a great many parents
do not take enough interest in their
children to compel them to go to school
.,th mill IN,
would adopt the rule of Mr.. Erwin and
not work any child who cannot read and
write, it would not be long before all
could at least do that much.
The people of West Durham should
feel proud of the fact that Mr.. Erwin
takes so much interest in them as he
does and try and profit by the advice he
has given.-Durham Morning Herald.
Attention has already been given in
our Durham correspondence to this
speech made by Mr.. w. A. Erwin, but
has been grasped by the people of the
State. We regard it as one of the most
radical, progressive and wise steps that
any man of influence has taken in North
Carolina in many years, and we believe
that if other men who employ large
number of children would follow the ex-
ample of Mr.. Erwin it would work
healthy revolution in all our factory
towns and villages.
There has been no little agitation of
late to secure the enactment of a law to
prevent the employment of children of
tender years in cotton factories. 1t has
been a difficult problem, one that has
been too difficult for legislators to solve.
Mr.. Erwin's plan, if generally adopted,
would go long ways towards its solu-
ton. 1t would make certain of the very
desirable result that every child of the
age of twelve would be able to read,
write and calculate Their ability would
not only make the operatives grow up to
be better and more intelligent citizens,
but it would make them more skilful
and capable in their work.
There has been some agitation of
compulsory school law. We regard that
as premature, even if wise. There is no
wisdom in compelling children to go to
school if schools are not provided. In
West Durham good public schools are
open for ten months in the year. Mr..
Erwin has no right, if he has the desire,
to enforce a compulsory school law in
that school district. But he has the right
to specify the requirements that those
who work in his mills shall possess.
There is now no excuse for any child not
learning to read or write. No child
should be allowed to reach the age of
twelve without this knowledge. 1t is al
most criminal neglect, certainly selfish
Indifference, for any parent to permit it.
All honor to Mr.. Erwin for the wise
and progressive stand he has taken.