The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-23
Echoes of the Great Local Taxa
ton Discussion.
sENATORsUTLER'S SPEECH
TIM STATE SENATOR GAVE SOME
INTERESTING FACTS.
THE AESTHETIC IN EDUCAiiON

institution and Entertainment of
Teachers--Brilliant Ger.
man--Personals.
Morehead City, June 22.-(SpeciaL)-
This has ben another day crowded with
interest in the Teachers Assembly. There
we're addresses by DR.. Taylor, DR.. kilSo,
DR., Clewell and others.
Huch interest centered in the election
.f officers. Prof. Alexander Graham,
.uperintendent of the Charlotte Graded
Schools, was elected president. 1t is an
admirable selection. He is easily one of
the first men in the State in his profess
sion. Prof j. S. Ragsdale, principal OF
Greenville Academy, widely known,
successful educator, was chosen vice
president. The effective work done by
Mr.. Chas. J. Parker, the capable secre-
tary, was endorsed by a reelection.
Yesterday, as the full account sent
showed, was the big day Of the Assem-
bly,, and the influences set IN motion
will be felt in every nook and corner
of our beloved State. The course OF
general education has received an nm
petus by the proceedings that will be pro-
ductiye of results that children yet I'M
born Will feel the effects of. I'VE count
time not by the dial, but by heart
throbs,' and the cause of education Is
not measured by Father Time, but by
f1o4 thnSR
whose hearts burn upon the sacred altar
Of learning. The fires have burned
bright-the sweet incense Of intense
earnestness and genuine patriotism have
assembled to-day, and the gods will vouch-
safe such favor.
While there was no attempt to con-
zeal the fact that there was wide diff
ference between the speakers to-day
upon the policy of the State in the field
Of higher education, it was evident that
the profession will present united front
in the coming campaign for local taxa
ZION for public education.
The ability shown in the discussion of
the various questions engaging the atten-
tion of the Assembly to-day would con
vince any observer that the leaders of
the teaching profession are the peers in
every respect of any of the leaders of
any profession in North Carolina. The
fact that this is true is the most hope
full sign for the future of the State.
These leaders have, in the past few
years, and are to-day, doing more to pro-
mote the prosperity of the State, in my
judgment, than any, other class of our
citizens.
The Assembly was opened this morn
ing with prayer by Rev. j. o. Atkinson,
Of Elon College, after which State Su-
perintendent Hebane offered the follow
ing:
Resolved, That we the members of
the Teachers Assembly of North Caro-
lima. give our hearty support to the local
taxation act, and will use our best efforts
10 carry into effect the provisions of this
act in our respective counties"
This resolution was adopted without
q dissenting voice.
The executive committee proposed the
following:
Resolved, That we recommend that
the Assembly appoint the following cen
trail committee Of eleven: @. I'll. Mebane
chairman; r.. l.. Flowers, e. A. Alder
man, C. d. McIver, G. &c. Taylor, Hugh
Norson, j. w. Bailey, ]. o. Atkinson,
J. G. Scarborough, III. l.. Smith. l.. L.
Hobbs, who shall aid in organizing the
campaign for local taxation, and they
shall have power to select any number
Of men from the various counties of our
State to aid in prosecuting the educa-
tional campaign in the interest of loca
taxation"
This resolution was discussed in its
various phases, and the discussion show
ed great unanimity in it's favor, and il
was enthusiastically adopted.
The address of State Superintendent
Nebane, on 1.-THE County Supervisor,
which has been published in the News
and Observer, was one of the practica
papers read to the Assembly.
On motion, the press Of the State
was requested to publish thu
same before new supervisors are elected
In reply to a question, Mr.. Mebant
stated that the would not officially recog
nize-any one elected to the position o.
supervisor who was not q practical teach
er. II such are recognized, il will hav,
to he done by the courts.
THE Township Feature of the New
School Law" was the subject Of the ad
dress of State Senator George Il. But
ler Tt was full of Observation-Disclosures
mastery ofITie subject and was listen
ed to with marked interest. Among
other things, he said:
In 1880 cur State tax for public school!
was Is cents on the 800 valuation
OF property and 25 cents on the poll. The
average length of our school term wa.
ten weeks.
In 1887 our State tax for public schools
was 1914 cents on property and 371
cents on the poll. The average lengtl
of our school term in 1887 was II weeks
Our taxes had been increased so pc
cent. on property and polls, yet our schoo
term had increased only two weeks or q
per cent. In 1888 the school term ad
vanced to about 1919 weeks.
In 1891 our school tax was increase
to Is cents on property and As cents OF
the poll, yet our school term was onI,
IL Is weeks which was shorter thai
it was in 1888.
In 1891 the State Superintendent il
his biennial report made this suggestion
eff the General Assembly will increas
the general tax to 20 cents ON 800 O