The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-04-15

cur people TO the necessity Of having
their children 10 learn how !" read
and witt, thus equjpp.ns lh-m IT
higher walk in life.
As we are going on, there VIII never
be any change in this matter II Hit
eraCy. We may spend million, Of dol
lars annually. We may pour out
money lavishly. We may extend the
school term 10 four months-eren 10
six month";. We may multiply our
school houses and proviGc better teach
ers-but there will still be large per
cent. Of the children, both white ard
colored, growing ~ IN ignorance.
The stain on our State Will continue.
The black blot Will remain on the I'd
ucational Alta; and the desolate
homes Of thee al ct people will be
come more .de5Dlatc, and they will tall
TO s,ll lover level III comparison
with the people Of other States. A
change i, needed. And now IS the
time to make it. Let US turn over a
new leaf in starting a new century,
and take this step forward that VIII
rebound 50 mGth - the credit OF our
State and promote 81 surely the hap
plness and prosperity Of our people.
We believe Capt. Ashes plan u be
an admirable one and commend 1t
heartily. It's excellence lies IN It's pro-
CT nj q
learn. 1t will be shame to a young
man who has reached the age OF 81
not 70 be able 10 60 to the polls and
cast his vote simply because he can
not read his ballot. We have already
alluded to The fact mat under the new
law any township may receive $500
from The State appropriation tor
schnoj5, provided it would raise a sim.
liar amount. This IS All excellent law,
and sill doubtless be taken advantage
of by many Of the more progressive
communities Of the State, but the back
| woods, the more llliterate, townships
will not avail themselves Of it because
the incentive IS Lacking there. But
| were it the law Of the Safe that no
man could vote unless he could read
and write, we do Mt hesitate 20 say
this $4,000 Appropriation TO stimu-
| late taxation for schools would be
| exhausted long before all the town
ships could be served, and there would
he such a general desire for schools
| that public sentiment would necessltaie
very material increase N this APP
preparation.
\, 4 people North Carolnians aye
less ambitious than the people OF the
other States TO the north and south OF
| her. Yet we are none the less a cap
able people when once urged on to the
performance Of duty. SlCh a con
stitutional amendment as the one Capt.
A>h- proposes would wake US up, and
start u; forward III a path that would
lead to greater achievement as Com
mnnweaI,h, and to higher standing
in the family of the STATES.
Besides proving an incentive toward
| NtuttbiOll, SILl {. IL" "CNIh AhliOoiS
the ballot. The man VIII, can read
his ballot with perfec, ease, is the man
VINO will cast it intelli5ently That is
| the rule
There are many who advocate COM
pulsory education. Such system,
however, always a:ouses antagonism
| because it is believed t. be TOO undem-
ocratc. Especially is this true in this
State We therefore believe that with
ability to read and write as a requisite
for voting, such an educational incen-
tive would be provided as would satisfy
those who have favored compulsory ed :
ucation.
Capt. Ashes plan is of TOO great i'm
pOrtanCe not to have trial.