The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-22
TUESDAY
EDUCATION THE SUPREME NEED LOCAL
TAXATION.

HMM tONs
The people of North Carolina are too
goor not to educate.
Whatever differences Of opinion there
may be with reference to the past atti-
tude Of the State to education, the fact
that North Carolina is third from the
foot inthe matter of illiteracy tells that
there 10 abundant need for new zeal
and heroic effort to give the light of
education to homes darkened or narrow
ed by Ignorance.
Ignorance and poverty are twins al
ways and everywhere. Ignorant men, in
most senses toll for the benefit Of others.
They do not know how to make their
labor profitable. They work with duh
tools. They try to make bricks without
straw. They dig and delve and die,
leaving no assurance Of better things to
their children, though to give their Off
spring a better chance than they pos
sessed was the chief ambition that
stimulated their endeavors. The children
of these men are the hope of the Com
monwealth They cannot develop the
resources Of the State, they cannot fit
themselves for the best that is in them,
$hey cannot come up to the measure OF
usefulness for which they were created
anless they are educated.
Education is the supreme need of the
State. Like everything else that is
worth having it costs money, time and
labor at 10 a priceless element that
eommends itself to the appetite. Better
school facilities cannot be had without
more money. Money cannot be had ex-
eept by taxation. Taxation cannot be
imposed except by the volition Of the
taxpayers. In every township in the
State, not now levying special tax for
schools, in August vote will be taken
10 increase the public school term. The
Constitution of the State guarantees
Sour months term. In some school dis
tricts the term is only six weeks, and in
some instances the money available does
not secure frst-class teachers. In those
townships having a four months term
It is often lenghthened out by crowding
too many children into small rooms, and
expecting one teacher to do the work
nhat it requires two to do.
Yesterday the Teachers Assembly de-
Eoted the day to discussion Of the Au-
gust election and kindred topics. We
devote much space to the speeches Of
those who gave reasons for the tax and
the necessity Of voting for it at the polls.
The coming election is one Of great
importance. Every township that votes
dor q tax for better schools and longer
germs, takes a step forward that will be
seen and felt by this and future genera
tons. The burden Of taxation in these
hard times may be heavy, but it is wiser
20, bear it for few years to make better
conditions than to continue to let the
children grow up in ignorance and the
State 10 drift on in helpless and sordid
poverty. h. ,tg
Every progressive town and city in the
State has voted a special tax to give all
the children good schools. There has
not been a step backward anywhere. No
town that sees the spectacle Of all the
children enjoying equal educational ad-
vantages, whether rich or poor, can fail
TO be helped in every way by the in
spring spectacle. If this local taxation
is good thing for the children in Raleigh.
Charlotte, Wilmington, Ashevile, Win
ston, Durham, Goldsboro, Wilson, High
Point, Salisbury, Statesville and the
other large towns and cities, why is it
not good thing for the villages and the
country districts?
The cheering words and vigorous
speeches at Morehead yesterday will
have q healthy and stimulating influence
from one end Of the State to the other
There is hope and optimism and faith
in them that will give courage for the
fight.