The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-29
THE VALUE OF PUBLIC SCHOoLs.
COL. CARR'S TESTIMONY.

| ro interested in the public school ques-
tion. as it behooves the citizenship Oh
Ievery progressive community to be- They
are trying to work up sufficient interest
TO secure a tax levy enough to give the
town an eight or nine months we'll equip
nod graded school. Washington is one of
the few towns that have been growing
right along during the hard times. Its
thrift, progress and prosperity have been
accelerated by railroad communication
furnished by the Atlantic Coast Line and
by the large timber and trucking inter-
ests that have been established there.
The Evening Messenger is waging an
intelligent campaign for the establish
ment of a system of schools such as bless
other towns Of like size and intelligence
1t is wisely printing letters from promi-
nent citizens in towns where graded
schools are successfully conducted. In
late issue it prints a letter from Col.
| Julian s. Carr, Of Durham, who is not
only one Of the largest taxpayers in the
State, but whose interest in public educa-
| ton is so genuine that, before Durham
had graded schools by taxation, he and
other liberal citizens went deep down
into their pockets to establish the excel
| lent system of graded schools that are
Justly regarded as Durham's browning
glory. Mr.. Carr and the other citizens of
Durham, notably Col. w. T. Blackwell,
VINO generously started the graded schools
| in their town, made it an object lesson of
such usefulness that the people made the
system permanent by voting to tax them
selves to continue and enlarge the sys-
tenn.
1t is most gratifying to see rich men
whose prosperity rebounds to the benefit
of their communities and whose faith III
public education is increased by the in
crease of their own contributions to ad-
vance it. In an age when riches too Of
ten narrow the sympathies and contrac.
the soul, the generous and earnest inter
est in public education manifested by
such publicists as Col. Carr proves that
success to them means only an enlarge
ment Of avenues for usefulness and OF
wider sympathies.
Col. Carrs letter to the Washington
Messenger will have wide interest, and
hence we give it to our readers in full as
| follows:
Durham, n. c., April II, 1897.
MY Dear Sir:-In replying to your in
auiries and request that l give you
concise statement as to the beneflclal ef-
fects of the public Graded School system
Of Durham. n c., with special reference
to the special tax levies to keep up the
same, l have to say:
1.-THE Public Graded Schools in Dur
ham are provided for and conducted I'M
der a special act of the General Assembly
passed in 1887, chapter GO, public laws,
| 1887. You will observe upon an examina-
| ton of the act, that it provides that the
| special taxes levied and collected under it
| ''shall not be less that sixteen
and twO-thirds cents on the one
hundred dollars valuation of property.
| and fifty cents on the poll, nor exceed
twenty cents on the one hundred dollars
| valuation of property and sixty cents
ON the poll"
1.-THE special school tax has been regu-
/ larly levied under that act every year
since 1887, upon property and polls. For
| the last year, 1896. the levy was eighteen
cents on the one hundred dollars valua.
ton of property and fiftyfour cents on
| the poll This special school tax is uni
llxv hxyf h<,c it nf mr.,
| ham of all classes and conditions, both
property owners and nOn-property
owners.
"There is no disposition manifested in
any quarter now to discontinue this spe
cial school tax, though there was some
opposition to its adoption in 1887, and
| for a year or two thereafter, until the
full benefits of the system began to be
| realized and appreciated.
THE large taxpayers as well as the
smaller ones approve this school tax, and
if there is any opposition to it now, it is
not apparent to the public. So many
things, both pro and con, enter into the
general business affairs and contribute
to the progress Of Durham and affect us
like other places at this particular time,
it would be very difficult to answer spe-
clhcally some or your inquiries. But
do not hesitate to say that it is my own
opinion backed by the judgment of
leading men who live in Durham, and
think upon such matters, that hardly any
one thing has contributed to advance and
build up our material and industrial in
terests more than the fact that our
| Graded Schools for both races in Dur
| ham are, and have been for several years
past, in most excellent condition.
"Our schools are the pride Of our city,
and attract immigration OF families de-
| string to secure their benefits, which, of
course, helps along the progress Of our
| civilization.
"The total taxable property OF Durham
in 1887 was 5000 100, and in 1896 it
was $5,17S,64S. The number of white
children within the school age residing
within the city limits in 1896 is 1929,
and the colored children 367. The pay