The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-24
EDUCATORS IN RALEIGH
APPEAR Before THE JOINT COMMITTEE
ON EDUCATION.
Interesting Speeches Wade by Dr. Alderman,
Or. Never, Prof. Claxton, Prof. No.
bic, Rev. /, {. White
and Others,
and Others.

The joint Committee on Education of
the General Assembly met in the hal
of the House of Representatives Last
night mt s O'Clock. Senator II. L.. Smith,
Of Stanly. presided Mr.. Patterson, Of
Robeson. was made secretary.
1t was stated that The leading educ3-
tors of the State had been invited TO 3p-
pear before the committee, 50 as 10
throw some light on the committees ac-
tion with reference TO new school law.
The speeches were limited to ten min
utcS each
State Superintendent, c. II. Mebane,
came forward and read the following
resolutions adopted by the leading school
men of the State:
First. That we believe the teaching
profession in North Carolina is practi-
cally unanimous in the opinion that i'll
any changes in the school law OF the
State serious mistake will be made il
the township does not remain the unit
of administrations and apportionmcnt.
Second, That we believe that the sue
cessful development OF the school sys-
TEN OF the State depends upon the adop-
ton of the principle of local taxation in
the various townships. We express the
hope therefore, that such legislation
shall be enacted as will make it easy to
hold an election in any township. where
Il reasonable number of qualified voters
may express a desire for it, to supple
ment It's school fund by a special local
tax.
Third That it is necessary, in order
that our present school fund may be
used most effectively Yor the education
of the people of the State. tnat fthc
number of the schools he de-
creased and that it shall be made more
difficult TO establish new schools.
Fourth, That we believe in the jus
tice and wisdom of offering special aid
from the treasury of the State as Il tenn
porary stimulus to secure local taxation.
Ii is largely due 10 a similar use of II
great part of the money from the Pea
body fund, which has come to North
Carolina during the past twenty years
that our towns and cities have. adopted
the principle of local taxation, and it
is just and proper that these communi-
ties, especially, should offer every posi-
bic inducement to the less Fortunate
communities Of the State to lead them
to take such action as has proved so
satisfactory in the towns and cities
levying the local tax"
The State Superintendent also read the
following resolution adopted by the coun-
ty supervisor of the State;
"Resoyed, That the state ASsocia
ton of County Supervisors assembled
in Raleigh ON December %. 1897, re-
spectfully request the General Assembly
of North Carolina to preserve the town
ships as a unit of our school system
with certain amendments.
Resolved 2nd That we respectfully
request such legislation as is necessary
to have Il uniform system of text books
for public schools.
The report submitted by the commit
tee from the North Carolina Association
Of Academies, to the Educational com.
mittees of the Legislature, was submit
ted by Prof. W. r. Whitsctt, as fol-
lows:
IL The State Board of Examiners
should consist Of not less than six mem
hers, in addition to the State Superinten-
dent of Public instruction. This will al
low representation on the board from
the HiSl StlibolS, titS ~ hutu SNiiopiN,
and county supervisors. TIE high schools
of the State supply most of the teachers
for the public enthusiastically they
should be represented: and it is contra
dictory 10 have il board Of examiners To
improve the public school system and
not have the county supervisors repre-
scented upon the board. THE powers of
this beard should be largely increased
All life certificates in the State should
come through this State board: thus fol
lowing the custom as to lawyers, doe
tors. &c This is the only way to secure
uniformity. This board should be al
lowed reasonable compensation for its
time, actually spent in work. This
board should haze the powers now pos
sessed by the State Board Of Education
which strange to say. has only one
school man upon il, as now constituted
Uniform textbooks for the States should
be adopted by this Board Of Examiners
once in five years.
- There should be- a spe-
cial treasurer of the school fund in each
county. elected by the County Board OF
Education. All County Boards of Educa
ton should have ii made obliga-
tory upon them to compel the supervisor
to visit each public school nj least once
while it is in session, each year.
%. We should by all means retain
the township system, as it is great adj
vance over the old district system.
Il That we call the special attention