The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-23
Iae @cssenoer.
,HHE IOVEME>T FOR A TEXTILE
SCHOOL

SCHOOL
1t u to be hoped that the movement
for a textile school by the state will be |
euccessful. The necessity for such a |
school Is apparent. Skilled workman
everywhere have a great advantage |
ever the unskilled, and countries be-
hind the & in technical schools are
unable to compete successfully in man.
ufactur;ng with those that have such
means OF training. The plan mention
cd by our Raleigh correspondent Is to
have a textile school in connection with
the agricultural n mechanical col
leSe. If such a school is needed and we
must believe that such is the case.
then it is the duty OF the x legisla-
lure to create it, and in the manner in
aicated or by some other. 1t is thought
that the success of the project depends
almost entirely upon what cotton mill
men may say about it's advantages and
necessities.
This is an age very much given to
m~aterialism. 1t is intensely practical.
To make a living to get rich. to be sue
cessful in business Is the aim and end
OF effort now. A practical education
IN demanded because the prevailing idea
with the thousands Is that it is the way
60 reach success, or. as the unprincipled
political thimble-riggers say, ito get
there" The useful arts are to be
taught. It is a prime necessity that
nine out OF ten of the youth Of the LAND
should have a practical education, n
this may include the textile course only
ar a wider course in a strictly school
Of Technology. In many states in the
north. and in two or three southern
states there are schools OF Technology
that have been extremely useful and
successful. One Of the very best on
the continent is the Miller school in
Virginia, quilt by the benefaction OF
q thoughtful. generous citizen after
~ whom it was named. Georgia also has
u state school Of the kind, which has
given great satisfaction. The Atlanta
journal says:
mo two schools hold a higher place
I'm the estimation Of our people than the
GhoO VI CIV tAC Ao~
trial and Normal school for girls.
Georgia took a long step forward when
she established these institutions. They
have already been Of incalcuable bene-
fit to the rising generation and will be
permanent sources Of strength to the
state.
The Increased attendance at these
schools every year Is proof Of the grow
fnx popular appreciation Of the advan'
aages they Offer"
Our own agricultural and mechanical
college had been we'll appreciated here.
fofore because Of it's faithful work. How
much It's usefulness and its standare
OF excellence AVE been interferred will
by the stupid, selfish, partisan interfer
ence Of the last legislature we are no
Informed. 1t is proposed to increase it
advantages by the addition Of a textil
school. If this Is don we hope polite
will not ave any control.
AT Lowell, Mass, there is a o es
4ablished and celebrated school of thi
kind. 1t has a high standing as
school in which to prepare me
to work in cotton mills and woole'
mills. Massachusetts, owes much t
this school, for from it have gone GU
scores Of skilled workmen who hav
given success and fame to it's manufac
tured products. If the south is to max
the advance on the lines of finer fax
zrics, and to rival New England WORK
men, 1t must take advantage or ever
possible means o improvement and dc
eIopm 1t can only have skille
workmen by some system of e~ducationi
training either in the factories or l
textile schools. In the great centre {
manufacturing 1t has been for yeal
thought that the mills did not furnis
the best and most needed instruction
but that a textile school was neede'
Hence the great school at Lowell ha
been relied upon for the highest poss
bic skill in textile manufacture
Germany. as the Messenger mentlone
some weeks ago, has many practice
technical and textile schools of it's ow
maintained by the government at muc
cost. Other nations, as was mentlone'
have embarked in this business
training the mind. the eye, the har
and with fine results. The south mu
wake up fully to the Importance
such schools. Since the great progre
began in cotton milling the necessi'
increases for each state to have Its o"
draining schools. Let North Caroll1
keep fully abreast. She has more co
ton mills than any southern state. no
let her nave a textile school every Va
.euuaf-to demands. Without much GU
lay it couid no hope to rival the Low
or the Miller school,.