The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-08-12
DIR. MCIYBR AND
PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
A Powerful Plea for Local Taxa
ton of Schools-Un-
answerable
FACTS AND ARGUMENTS,

North Csrsliss at the Bottom OF the
Educational Tsst-No State or People
who are Jgnorant can Prosper or Pro-
gress-Ws Must Have Better Public
Schools OF Remain Iguorane-ws n uss
Adopt Local Taxation to get Better
schooIs-The Experience Of Other States
Has Proven This.
DR.. McIver last week made a great
speech in Mecklenburg county, sup
porting the local taxation of town
ships for public schools If this
speech could have been made in
every township in the State it would
have caused the local tax election on
last Tuesday in every township.
THE CAUCASIAN regrets that the
speech was not made sooner, so it
could have had a wioe circula-
ton before the school election. We
publish it now, though this election
is over, because the fight for better
public schools has only just begun.
The speech was a vote winner.
many being converted, as they told
the speaker afterwards. The follow
ing is a synopsis Of the speech:
DIR. MYERS ADDRESS.
1t is my purpose to submit some
reasons why Mecklenbure county
ought to vote the local tax for sch ools
In the election to be held mex. Tues
day.
In my judgment this is the m ost
important question that has been
submitted 10 the people Of North
Carolina since | have been a voter.
The fact that the principle Of local
taxation for education has be On
adopted in practically all the ether
States Of the Union, and that it has
been tried, and after trial is more
popular than any other tax, in Colds
boro, Wilson. Raleigh, Durham,
Greensboro, Rs;dsville, Salisbury.
Siatesville, s i":hy, Charlotte, Ashe-
vile, ought to make the thoughtful
citizens, Of any community pause
long before d cl( ing to cast a vote
against S, hools, on August 10.
A principle endorsed, IS this one is,
by such Democrats as T. J. Jarvis,
C. B. Aycock. W. D. Pruden, F. D.
Winston, F. n. Bushee, Josephus
Daniels. K. R. KING, J. P. Caldwell,
D. A. Tompkins, w. c. Dowd, R. NJ.
Furman, M. b. Justice, B. F. Dixon
and others, by such Republicans as
A. E. Holton, 81. l.. Grant. j. C.
Pritchard, Thomas Settle, w. P. By
mum, V. S. Lusk, A D. Cowles, J. J.
Mott, z. Y. Walser and others; and
by such Populia.s as Marion Bntle-,
d. w. Aver, DIR. Cy. Thompson,
Worth, Ramsay, Wilson. J. B. Alex
ander and others, cannot be cousid-
cred a political matter, and must have
some peculiar merit to unite in its
support so many leading men who
agree rarely upon any public ques-
! ton.
Who ever knew any other move
ment to be advocated by the follow
ing combine: Charlotte Observer,
News and Observer, CAUCASIAN,
! Progressive Farmer, Union Republi-
can, Biblical Recorder, Christian Ad-
vocate, Charlotte News, StatesvilIe
Landmark and others7
There has been during the past few
/ ye ars some friction between the
friends Of the various State and de-
nomination. institutions Of learning
and it has been long time since
they all united in the endorsement OF
any educational movement, but on
the central campaign committee fol-
| this cause arc representatives of the
University, Normal and Industrial
Collegs, Agricultural and Mechaui,
cal College, Wake Forest, Trinity
Davidson College, Guilford, Elon
Chowan Baptist Female Institute, the
high schools and graded schools.
Is it possible that all these institu
tons and newspapers and leaders OF
public thought have united on this
one question with any other than pa
| tactic motives, and IS it likely tina,
they should all be mistaken in the
only movement commanding theil
united support
If l were voter and not sure oil
the path Of duty, and wisdom,
shoald be very much inclined to joir
with the forces behind this cause.
Any movement commanding such
support is almost sure to be right
and almost sure to win eventually.
The public schools are the hope OF
any American community so far q!
Intelligence is concerned. They arr