The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1897-05-19
To the Friends Of Public Education.

schools in the township are under the
control and management OF the hive school
These men have large
discretion as to establishing schools III
their townships. As matter OF tact un-
Ter the old law in many instances there
are three huts, not school houses, each
receiving about SIS per year. Under the
new law it is possible to have instead OF
he three cabins ONE GOOD SCHOOL
HOUSE. near the centre OF the territory
covered by the three cabins and have
$225 for this school. Instead OF having |
three SIS teachers, we may have one good
SO man or woman that may do more for
the school children in four months than
under the old system was done In two or
three years.
Who would not rather send his children
two or even three miles to school that
is school than to have poor school on
the corner of his farm? 1 am aware that
some are very much opposed to the town
shin system on account of school houses
being near them, and on account OF work
or money spent on some OF these houses.
l hope those persons will take liberal
view of these matters, lay aside personal
preference and join in hearty cooperation
for the greatest good to the greatest num-
Der. When we unite the small schools
| into one good strong school with one Ell
| not fill
then, may we expect to have public
schools of such force and character that
will be felt i'll our State.
i Second; The election to be held Tues
day after the second Monday in August,
is worthy of your careful consideration.
This election is to be held in every town
ship The county commissioners at the11
June meeting are to give notice of this
election in every county in North Caro-
lima.
Any township that votes to tax itsel
$500 for public schools will receive $50
from the State Board of Education O
if this amount is raised by private sub
scription for township, the same amour
may be received from the State Board O
l Education. Friends. do not becom
: alarmed when you hear the word TAX
, 1 am aware that our country people q
have hard time to pay their taxes, BIT
consider how little would be the tax {
each one in township; in order to rails
y 81 800 and then have this supplements
e by the State with $500, making s., 200
8 addition to what school fund you no
G have. Suppose where we now hay
twelve schools in a township we max
" only eight strong schools, each would r.
j. ceive from the s., 600 $3.50; add this 81
to your regular school fund.- if we &C.
Is put three of the $75 schools together, the
= we would have $3.50 plus $225, which
, $475 for each school. Now, my friend
VI do not say that all this looks very well
2, paper, but it can not be done i'll our Stat
n 1 tell you it can be done; and when '
l. have $475 for our public schools i'll O
,o State, then will we have right to q
? 1nand professional teachers in our pub
schools.
'a What right have we to talk about p,
ut fessional teachers in our public schot
lie with only SIS or 500 year to pay su
To teachers.
q Third: l would like to remove, if p
sib1e, the idea that some of our peo1
have in regard to teachers salaries.
have heard school committeeman co
pare the time of school teacher W
lie that of the wood-chopper, the ditcl
nd and the ordinary laborer. I have !
Il aught to say against any man who d.
this sort of work; it is honorable a
- right, but what want to call your att
1t. ton to is that a mans education is
n investment. Let us see what an ordin
education costs. In time it costs
H. years; two years preparatory, and f
-, years in college. We will say the cost
% the preparatory education is $500, of
at college four years at $3.50 each, maxim
The cost of s., 800.
En- The six years time spent in sch
nd would be worth at least $500. Thus
-l see the total cost of all ordinary edl
ton, in time and money, is about ST.,
0''- These figures mean strict economy OH
mas part of the student The interest on
on education is 81 cents per day at 6
he cent. interest. Now what farmer, or
e., business man would invest 81 900
I -
u wood-chopper, or the ordinary lab
OIL who has invested neither time nor mol
IT'S, c. H. MEBANE,
ker snpt of Public instructor