The news & observer., 1897-03-11

Appropriation.
no the Bditor: tn the News aud I'D
server Of this morning ONiarch lol You say
editorially:
.sNow That this bin has become law,
the people should know who proved them
selves the friends OF the common schools.
For there were several days when Its
fate was doubtful in the Senate, aud but
for the untiring, effective work or f'resl-
dent Alderman and President Newer
who came down from Chapel iiil and
C2rA,nshoro and staid till tins bill was
passed. and Superintendent Howell, anu
Professor Holmes, this act 70 approprlate
$40 600 to the common schools, would
have died in the Senate, and never been
resuTTected.
| ann willing that you count as naught
whatever part / may have taken in the
effort 10 improve the condition OF the
nublic schools of North Carolina. But
vou shall not be deceived. The following
facts are known;
I. President Alderman and President
McIyer opposed the original hill appro-
priating 100000 to the public schools.
They stated TO the committee of the
House in the presence of a News and
Observer reporter that they had nothing
t0 saw ON this measure; and then went
on to suggest an appropriation based
mon the condition OF local taxation-a
condition which they will not agree to ap-
ply 10 the institutions of which they are
respectively the presidents.
.. Neither President Alderman nor
President McIver made amy effort at all
for an appropriation for the public schools
before they had gotten increased appro-
priations to their institutions. On the
other hand through their influence,
through the delays made by members Of
the committee who were put there by
caucus to play into their hands, the pub
lie school bill was delayed until the last
week. although it was introduced first.
BY this delay, it was made necessary to
cut down the appropriation from 100000
TO $4,000, and to base that upon condi-
tions which will prevent most of 1T from
being used-local taxation.
3. President McIyer and President Al
derman promised officials, legislators
and individual friends of the public
schools to work for this bill. They knew
it would not do for them to come to Raj
eigh and get increases for themselves and
leave the public schools in their distress
ingly needy condition.
T. President McIver and President AL
derman did great deal of work after the
success of the bill had been practically
assured, such leaders as Lusk, Dockery,
Grant and Butler having promised to
champion it.
5. Superintendent Mebane wrote the
original bill. He helped white the sub
stitute He spoke before the commit
tees. At one time he saved the bill,
when neither President Alderman nor
President McIver was present. AT this
time they were looking after their insti-
tutions. superintendent Mebane did
leave Raleigh, but he was here as long
as necessary, and while he did not make
a spectacle of himself in the lobby, he
rendered constant, faithful service, and
much credit is due to him.
/ 6. For my part / am content to know
that the needs of the public schools have
been recognized; and that something tc
better them has been done. / have nc
fear that the credit of this will be stolen
1t is not like public money. Neither
lobbying, nor newspaper misrepresenta
ton, nor playing to the grand stand, nor
heroic running to the rescue after the
rescue has been made, will avail. The
people shall know who are and who are
not the friends of their schools.
/ These are the facts. You may moi
/ have known them. / am responsible fo1
! every statement, and viii subStantiate
every one, if necessary.
| J. w. BAILEY.