The news & observer., 1897-01-08
Il something outside of: above and be-
yond themselves, and that they are not

true III q country WIRE lue oofeiSiSh Ia
power resides in the crown, where the
sovereignty-the crown-the State is one
thing, aad the people another; but in our
country, under our system OF government
where the people, and the people alone
are sovereign, such doctrines are not IN
keeping with the genius Of our institu-
sions, and cannot be maintained. With
us the people constitute the State, and
q portion of them Il may say the better
portion) constitute the church. Every
citizen, no matter whether he be
church member or not, is sovereign and
q part of the State. To say that there
is conflict between the church and the
State in educational work is to say that,
when a man becomes church member
he enters upon a conflict with himself as
a sovereign citizen and therefore rem
ders himself less fit to discharge his du-
ties as q citizen. | cannot agree to this.
| prefer to believe that when man be-
comes a church member, he thereby be-
comes a better citizen.
The people. repeat, arc the State. The
University and the other schools, which
for convenience we call State schools, be-
long to the people and 20 the people a
lone. Every citizen whether he be church
member or not, Is part owner OF each
Of these schools; and as such, is interest
ed in them. 1t then becomes question
as to whether the people, the whole peo-
pie or q majority OF them are willing to
be taxed to keep up their schools. You
are the chosen representatives OF the
people; the whole people, and they must
speak through you. 1t is for me TO re-
commend and you to act. If you supply
the means, the peoples University and
their other schools viii continue to pros
per, TO benefit and to bless the whole
people. 1f you withhold the means the
schools will languish and the whole peo-
pie will be hurt thereby. ] therefore urge
you not to lessen by one dollar the peo-
pies support to the University and their
other schools | am sure the present
appropriations are barely sufficient to en-
able them to do the work that lies before
them. II you make any change in these
appropriations | beg that you viii in
crease them, to the end that their work
and usefulness may be increased. II any
chickering's, jealousies. or animosities
have sprang up between those engaged IN
teaching in, or managing the State
schools, and those engaged in Like work
in the denominational schools, it is 20 be
deplored; and j sincerely trust the cause,
if any exists, will speedily be removed
and that all of these institutions OF learn
ing will find it agreeably to work in har-
mony and in christian spirit, to form
a holy alliance for the unity and enlght-
enment OF our people, for the uplifting OF
humanity and for the education OF the
sons and daughters OF North Carolina
There should be no antagonisms between
these institutions There is work in abun-
dance for them all to do and the success
of one does not depend upon the failure
of another.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
These schools have given in public
favor and in efficiency, but in the latter
respect there is still great room for i'm
proyement. Under the wise manage
ment of our efficient superinten-
dent the system has been developed and
perfected SO far as the legislations would
allow. The teaching force has been aug
mented and improved. The great remain
ing need, to make these schools what
they should he, is not so much more
money and prompt attendance. This can
be easily demonstrated by few facts
and figures from the interesting and
instructive report Of the Superintendent
of Public Instruction. There was paid
white teachers the past year S439, ,909.59.
There was erected the past year $780,
So worth of school houses for the
whites.
The census shows for 1896, 410509
white school children, between she ages
of and 21 (nine counties not reporting
Or this census there were enrolled 231,-
Fef aim ya~ On n =
tendance OF this school population was
137,115 or 35.01 per cent. Thus de-
monstrating that had the children at
tended the schools with regularity nearly
20 per cent more children would have
beea taught with no more money ex-
penaed IN school houses or paid to teach
ers. This is an example from the whites.
AS tne percentage of attendance Of the
colored is less than the whites the total
figures would be worse This very clear
ly shows that it is not so much the neces-
sity OF money as it is compulsory at
tendance. II the State demands a tax
for the education Of the people, the peo-
pie surely have the right TO demand &
law requiring they shall come forward
and accept it's benefits. The report is
replete with statistical information, and
/ commend If, not only to the Legislature,
but to the general public. The Constitu-
ton requires that one or more Of these
schools shall be maintained in each school
district at least four months in the year.
However much men differ about other
matters, have yet to hear OF the first
man who proposes to change this proyis-
ion OF our Constitution. There it stands
as the continuing mandate of the Con-
stitution, and | urge You to make ample
provision to carry it out in good faith.
Other Legislatures have from time to
time increased the taxes for these schools
and this increase has developed two facts:
First, that such a tax is not unpopular
with the people, and, second, that the
increase made by your predecessors is
not sufficient. While all taxes are to
some extent burdensome this tax, / main
tain, is the least so of any imposed be-
cause the taxes for these public schools
are Immediately expended among the very
people who pay them in the enlightment
and Improvement OF the people among
- dhrx- Tho4 har oIv Hx