The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-07-27

with an average Of not less than IS pu-
pills to the school. To these schools the
regular apportionment of school funds
is $50, 683 10, or 81 SO to every child of
school age.
Statistics show that only about five
out of ever 100 children in North Caro-
lima ever attend any private school.
So of the IL. 675 children in the county
only 633 attend private schools, leaving
the remaining IL, O42 to receive their
entire education from the public
schools.
Remember that in 1896 only IS per
cent, or 35 out of the 100 of total
school population attended the public
schools.
Now, let us see what amount of
money is actually spent in educating a
child in Wake county. We have seen
that the amount spent last year was
81 60 per child, so on the same basis of
taxation for public education, during
the fifteen years a child a attend the
public schools, $24, As is invested in the
education of the child. Remember,
too, that this is ell the education ever
received by IS of every 100 Children of
the county and the State.
These are the facts as they are.
These the conditions we are called upon
to face, not only in the county, but in
the State. And Wake county, too, is
far in advance of many counties in tie
State. Reader, with these conditions
before us, a we oppose any remedy
looking to the improvement of our pub.
lie school system3
We have no time to lose. the fight
is on. Only two weeks and the cleo
tion. How can we best proceeds Our
township boards have just been ap
pointed. TO a very great extent these
local boards will determine the success
or failure of local taxation in their re-
spective townships. Their duty is
plain. They should proceed at once to
organize ''for schools" The time is
short, but much can be done. Much
must be done. Under the law the
township is q little State or kingdom to
itself. It will act independently. The
local board should leadthe fight. Having
accepted as a committeeman under the
law, certainly nc n is opposed to
schools. Under the provisions OF the
law he must be 'for schools" Other
wise he would not have accepted. His
oath is binding. He is bound. He has
no right to be Indifferent or antago
nistic. The people have a just and
legal right to expect him to discharge
the duties OF his Office faithfully. His
present duty is to work for local taxa
ton. Work it up and talk it up. The
people must be aroused and interested.
Their greatest pride is, or ought to be,
their children. Let existing opposition
be met manfully and courage ously, in
the name of the children who are our
coming citizels-the hope and strength
of our State.
Article VII, section 4 Of the Consti.
tuition makes q township a quasi cor
poTation for purposes Of local govern
ment. Article VII, section z, reads:
mo county, city, town or other mu
nicipal corpoy agion shall contract any
debt, pledge it's faith, or loan It's credit,
nor shall any tax be levied or collected
by any officers Of the same, except for
the necessary expenses thereof, unless
by a vote of the majority of the quail
fed voters therein"
The above provisions are plain. So
IN every township the Constitution
makes it necessary for a majority of
the qualified voters therein to vote for
a tax to make it legal and binding,
In order to levy and collect a special
tax in a township for schools, not sim
ply majority OF those who may vote,
but q majority Of the qualified voters
Of the township must vote for the tex
The opinion prevails il the country
that q majority Of those voting, even if
the mejority Of the qualified voters do
not vote, will be sufficient to levy q
tax for schools. But such is no the
case.
This makes it absolutely necessary
for every man who favors local taxa,
ton for schools to be present at the
place of voting and cast his ballot.
A failure to vote means a ballot counted
schools. The opponents are
up their forces. In many cases
to keep men away from the polls will
be to defeat the measure. These tao
tics may be resorted to. Let every
friend of education be on his guard