The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-24

oCndition OF the free common schooio Va
eolioi'A 49, The common schools are
ln,ited in their work as to ne ehtile'
90 :rl,+nd in our educational SYSTEM
n.y., sn,ou nav of teachers, the SNORT
1 opd the narrow range OF STUDY
- tacn to the sphere OF primary
s-snrl, of an unsatisfactory type. Alhoiis
snnt class who have educational aihui
sions and purposes, the common s.no ~
snds very little patronage ana PEI m
.vmnathy. These schools oepeliu ioi 20
tronare upon a class who hhu III ~
tho satisfaction of their eoue"'ioh"'
wishes. .,,o had Of our
educational system, ana III 10 oci9D
rasts for its support on the coii,i ~,
school. We have not yet developer oae
university sphere IN the SouIh,
tween the common school ana 'he co,
lece les the educational sphere III Will
ia horn and conserved the impulses VI
higher intellectual growth. MS neiu
has not been occupied by the o'a,e' oue
bv individual. church, and community
y. In the main, it has been
enItivated by individuals who, IN many
Instances, have achieved marvellous sue
case in building up superior schools.
.x,v work is supremest in our educational
s.vs+em and our real educational sltu1-
eion is to be decided by the condition Oh
4bosa schools, If they are well support
al in every sense OF the term, educa-
s;o,,sl rrogfeSs is assured; If they IAN
y,isb from any cause, education cannot
advance. From them, not from the COZ
geges. come the large maJorIty OF teacH-
ers in the free common schools, ana
bencn unon them the State is most large
" denendent in its public educauoh'
ryhiJe llpon these schools the colleges de-
nnnd for their existence. State that
sxrects to advance in higher educatloh'
must bu;ld ND secondary education, for-
there can never be any higher education
unless it has been ordained IN the sec
endary schools
IT is. therefore. of primary Importance
chat all assistance be given to TINS WORK.
Any legislation that impedes or embar-
rssses this work, strikes at the whole OF
higher education. 1t is the most sulci-
dal policy that can be lnaugurated, ana
anlv legislative uuacks will ever bllndiy
ignore the Importance of protecting this
feld Of education. The State in attempt
ing to fix its public educational poiicy,
has acted independent of these schools.
simply because they are individual
schools. and have not been considered
by legislators Of any public concern. Yet
the State is indebted to these individual
schools more largely than it is to any
work it has accomplished in education.
and common gratitude, to say nothing OF
wisdom. demands protective consldera-
ton. II a corn-mill and cottongin have
the right OF legislative consideration.th then
truly the men who conserve the intel
Iect,,all life Of a people, deserve pass
ing recognition.
Measuring the educational situation
~ the condition Of these schools, GER
tninry there is very little reason for our
claims to educational progress ne
naraJe of increased patronage at tue
colleges by no means indicates progress
nuIess the increase represents real COZ
Ince students, and not a conglomeraten
r.cs of hoys and men who have been adj :
mittaa by a compromise Of college work.
Tbere are various ways to increase cor
Iaoe patronage. and to develop pubilc
sentiment ND to college work is only one
~ those many methods. and by all odds'
:. tho most difficult We are confront
"a with the fact that while the col
leoe.r Of the State are rejoicing over
larger numbers, and congratulatlns inc
naon,e on their educational progress, the
secondary schools are struggling lot eN
;stence. This is boosting over souhu
roof. while indifferent to decayihs
foundation. :, c,,.,
Not many years ago North Carolina
eonh boast of number OF very super
Tor preparatory schools, at least, one
of which number. the Bingham Hlgh
school. had wider reputation than any
college in the State. 10 II must ~
sddcd Horner's School, LoveJoy's Acad-
.mv continued as the Norson and Den
son Academy: Davis School; wilson
a cad~mv. and Hughes High School.
The.. schools were of the highest grade
and gave to the State an educational
;mnetTs as we'll as high educational
standard Under them the University
md the COLLEGES were filled with rpal
college students. and maintained their
natronage without resorting TO schemes
Of nurrhasinc STUDENTS with SCHOLARSHIPS.
The whole educational work sustained
dignity IN the minds Of tho poonla
No lover of education. or Of the state.
con corenrt 70 anv discount Of the work
done hv fhceo schools. esneciallv rs 1t
was done without expense to the tax
payers
Anothor claee If schools IS now grow
znc- nm IN do tho work If thasn once f9~
yoo7,s corsorvatnrs If educa tional sonf'-
wont and vor1y These schools are nra-
iectad on y a:ero~oat idoa nf oanca+ion,
end can rnvor f1l the nieeion which +hoy
nrnsuran for themselves. With the'n.
y,rnr,a ~ ton for hi~hnr n9~ca+ion g Incl
IentaI tho ,r7nin object boinn TO 81 vorno
men for husiroee ana thov ovnnnd +ho'r