The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-10-17
OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
Its DEFICIENCIES and the Changes Nee
essary to its Proper Development.
Jacksonville, N. c., October

Jacksonville, N. c., October Ia.
Editor Of The Messenger:
Among the many complex questions
under public discussion none is entitled
to more distinction, or more mature
consideration than the question of ed |
ucatiOn. Being as it is the most pre-
eminent factor of public good, it's inf1u-
ence should be equally diffused, both
in our local communities, as we'll as
in the centers Of our state. 1t has been
we'll stated in the columns of your pa
per, that an educational crusade from
needed,' and while we cannot spon-
taneously retard the growth of igno-
rance, or promote that culture so need
ed among the INDECENT classes Of our
rural districts without the aid of time,
yet we should recollect that the untu-
tored classes like all cohesive adjunctS
visibly deter the developments Of our
provincial resources, n for this rea-
son some action should be taken where
by none could avoid school attendance,
and where all could equally enjoy the
same elementary advantages.
The education furnished in our ru-
raj schools is naturally inferior to that
given in our city schools, consequently
illiteracy is a more p~redominating evil
in the country than in the cities.
In partial defense of this we can add
that the SparSeneSS of population, the
insufficiency of funds, the diminutive-
ness of the schools, together with the
presence of the two races, are factors
worthy Of of consideration.
In some states they lave attempted
to overcome these difficulties by the
consolidation of schools at central
points, such as the centers of towns or
townships. This unQuestionably is a
most excellent plan, however the cost
Incident to carrying the children to
and fro would naturally be at public
cost, and consequently only in reach Of
the more weather. localities.
Our exigent need, however, is not
primarily so much in more schools, but
in more select and efficient teachers.
1t is quite common to find the most ig-
norant individuals entrusted with the
care and Management of educational
affairs, consequently we cannot in
crease the scale of collective learning
while subservient to inferior judgment.
In order to bring about an equitable
reform we must first remove the eoeval
cause, namely, by being more jul
dicious and circumspect in the selection
of our country superintendent of pub
lie instruction appointing only those
who are well equipped and competent
to judge impartially the qualifications
of their applicants, n who will in
turn install only such teachers who are
personally as we'll as professionally cal
culated to promote the welfare of their
respective precincts, and who will in.
troduce regular grading, Classification
and more systematic work in general
as we'll as by precept, those indispen'
sible manneriSms SO essential in tn
public as we'll as private walks of life
Another sound method for the uni
versal decrease Of illiteracy is through
the channel of compulsory education
Such educational laws ave been en-
acted in many states, principally, 10Y
ever, in the older states where Their,
is more available wealth for schoo
! support. We, too, undoubtedly vii
have to adopt some stringent measure
in the course of time, especially as w
find so many parents occupying Ursula
positions, that they look upon all limo
= vations as %intruding evils, while 9th
ers are so enslaved by selfish principle
l as to be incapable of properly appreci
t atins the beneficial lights Of culture
and naturally children reared in sue
= an atmosphere of utter indifference
soon cultivate a growing dislike 70