The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-20
Ghe Messengn.


son to establish a TexIiIe Scnool 10 De
named in honor of the late Zebulon b.
Vance. 1t cordially endorsed the idea,
with the qualification that 1T could be
done without increasing the taxes.
Such schools are very valuable, and 1t
would be a good thing for the state
no doubt If one should be built. VIII
mi-gton will be a good point for IT,
and we would rejoice to see 1t located
here. The bill before the Legislature
viii be found in today's Messenger.
The bill which has been drawn with
care evidently provides for the estap-
Isr.ng of the textile school in all par
ficul1rs. A board of directors Is NAM
ed. among them Captain Donald Mac
Rae. of u city. The aim Is TO create
a technical school that shall promote
Industrial and textile education for our
people. It will teach students all h
enters into the skilled manufacture OF
cotton and wooden fabrics and yarns.
The directors are divided in three
classes: one is chosen for two. a Sec
ord for four and the third for six
years, to be chosen by the legislature.
The conditions are. that the town N
which is located must subscribe, or
its citizens must subscribe Sc, 900 for
it's erection, ETC., and If the town sub
scribes it must be by holding an eiec-
ton for the votes TO decide Upon 1T. The
board a com--ete control and ~ap-
point all officers, describe duties and
responsibilities, and prescribe all regu-
1afinnd oc fa mo a ooronpt order NOR
&als, etc. It has power to purchase
property or receive donations, etc., and
to invest the same for the benefit OF
the school. The terms of admission
shall also be made by it, and 1t shall
make a report to the legislature every
two years. When a town subscribes
/. Sl5 900. or more, then the state treas
1-n.r is empowered to set apart $4,000
ga m the general fund and place it to
he credit Of the Vance Textile
sch ooI' which shall be only drawn by
the 4 BOARD through it's agent or by its
warrs INT.
Sucl 1 Is the bill in brief. The Mes
seneer gives it's Endorsement to this
bill. It is no new thing with the Mes
senger to advocate textile schools. 1t
has dor lie this many times, and prooa-
bly, mo re thar six years ago. There
are but three purely textile schools In
so 9TH. In Virginia the celebrated
Miller school is ~unrivalled in its excel
lence, but it is we believe, mainly, IL
not a. together, confined to mechanics
,ats.e.r than to the special work of the
eexiile school. We do not know DELI
~nstely, what the proposed school Will
cost to put it under SUCCESSFUL opera
. ton, but the sum named IN the olli
u,ou,d seem to indicate $4,000 as SUI
D.. Acient.. II the state shall expend $lo'oVo
in this direction we must think IL VIII
ha wisely done. It will be sure, II Well
managed, to develop a higher graoeVf
sntag,igent skill in North Carolina IN
ro;,,ine both cotton and wool. Inc
Messenger is opposed to n unneces-
sarv. and, consequently, unwise expen-
-ditures now. 1t is opposed 10 licle"
ing the present taxes, but 1aVors &c
and lower taxes IL possi-
hIe Rut If favors charging the num-
her of things taxed-dogs, ana voters
who never pay taxes-and OF not III
creasing the burdens on the present
soy having citizens. She penny wise
and mound foolish system is never
wise. Nor does the ~spendthrllc way
anpeal 10 men of sense in a Time VI
low prices and scarcity of money
The bill is decidedly a good lie.
Manufacture deserve to be fostereo
and not warred upon like some war so
unwisely upon railroads. Neither are
public enemies, but are conducive "
prosperity and give employment 10
thousands as we'll as helping in other
uavs. North Carolina has already be-
come a very important manufacturing
state, only second among all the SOUTH
ern sisterhood. It will grow in it's man
ufacturing interests still more, ana
thoroughly trained experts will De
needed. are now needed. to manage
mills.
The Messenger fully believes that
the basis of all prosperity is agrlcui-
fure. It has been so "since Adam DEW
ed and Eve span" The cultivation OF
the earth and making clothes started
WlIn OuI uISL p@A ~
Milton. No country long prospers thai
neglects agriculture and Expresses the
farmers by unwise and unjust leglsla'
ton. But there is no necessary hostil'
ity or antagonism between farming anc
manufacturing. They should be friend
Iy, go hand in hand, each trying to heiI
the other rather than being discord'
ant and belligerent. So it is all righ'
to help to promote manufactures, bu'
not by oppressive law robbing tht
buyers and by class legislation, and II
helping the state is benefited as wei
as many investors and employees. Blu
let not the primal, basic calling-farm
fng-be forgotten or neglected. Othel
states in the north and some south
ern states, too, have already begun
- --orl~ fhaf tho ClarkS0n bill