The news & observer., 1897-02-07
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The Subscription School Side.

The Subscription School Side.
To the Editor OF course we all have
our own individual ideas in regard to
the cases of the present condition of
cur public schools, and more than one
theory for righting the wrong has been
proposed through the columns of the
News and Observer. But after carefully
persuing each article as it appeared, |
have failed to find the man that in my
opinion has found the true evil, and hit
the right nail on the head in regard to
the remedy.
| favor public schools. / am glad that
our Legislature has ever since the Revo-
luton, been in earnest sympathy with
the enlightenment of the ignorant of our
State. North Carolina would not be the
State that it is had not the eyes and the
hearts Of our representative men been
open to the necessity of education. 1t
was at the public schools that our most
distinguished men obtained their early
classical training. The public schools
have been a great power in the progress
of North Carolina as a State. Without
them our condition would have been in
deed deplorable.
We all agree that we could not have
done without our public schools. But
we differ in regard to the methods that
should be employed in carrying on the
work.
1t is plain that the present system is
insufficient. 1t leaks, and now let us see
where the leak is. Turn it upside down,
and look it through. 1t leaks in other
places, but l want to emphasize the
fact that the present system of public
schools is ruinous to the subscription
schools. Subscription school have sprung
up eyidencing the fact that they are
in demand. But, though that they are in
in demand. But, though they are pub
lie necessity, yet they find it quite diff
ficult to compete with the short-termed
public school.
In the fall of 1895, certain private
school was started in one of our West
ern towns. About two hundred pupils
were in attendance. Every space of
room in the building was occupied.
Even the loby was fixed up with desks.
The principal seeing that his room was
insufficient, built a 5000 annex. -Four
teachers besides himself were kept busy.
But in December the public schools
| began their work. His students fell off
like hickory nuts. From two hundred
| they went to f0rty-nine in thirty days!
The principal of the subscription school
soon found himself bankrupt. His teach
ers sued him for their salary, and his
creditors pushed him with their bills.
And before the spring term closed he
was compelled to leave his school, and
seek employment elsewhere in order to
pay his debts. At last accounts he had
taken the anonymous advice, Young
man, go West" and was away out in
| New Mexico teaching the young ideas
how to shoot. But, notice, please, he
was in a public school this time.
All of our private schools have the
same experience, only on smaller scale,
of course. While the public schools are
running, it is impossible to clear expenses.
And our only times for getting straight
are while the public schools are not run
ming.
The present system, with few mOdifi-
cations, is all right, as far as the country
districts are concerned. But in our city
districts either give us good ten months
public school, or turn the territory over
to the subscription schools, and give the
money now used in the city public schools
to our brethren in the county, who have
not the opportunity of attending a well
regulated subscription school. These
piece-meal city public schools tend to
destroy the subscription schools and de-
moralize the school work in cities.
There are other changes in the present
school system that need legislation, but
[ will let some one else suggest them
write this to let the public know what
the subscription schools demand and
would interpretation
o. u. WINBURN.
Burlington, n. c., Feb. 4.