The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-03-23

1874 was not materially changed
the most important changes being
the provision for optional local-taxa-
ton elections instead of a general
and compulsory election, and the
provision for local school-committee-
men, and for the division of funds
with the view to running white and
colored schools the same length OF
time instead of race per-capita. The
Revenue Act is considered just, ap-
portioning the burden of taxation
equitably and much after the manner
heretofore obtaining. 1t does not
reduce taxation, but in does not in
crease it. The election law is one
sided. Of course, the advantages
being in the hands of the dominant
party. We earnestly hope they will
not be abused.
And this brings us to the Con-
stitutional Amendment, which we
fondly hope will so reconstruct the
suffrage that election laws will never
be made oEe-sidcd again. Since we
have printed this amendment in full,
we will not discuss it at length. This
paper was the only one in the State
to advocate an educational qualifica-
ton. We believe it will bring Us
into a freedom in which much can
be done for the common good that
has long been out of reach. The
amendment was offered to the people
at their bidding-not on the cam
paign, but after it had stirred their
souls with bitterness that set them
determined to avoid another like it.
About it great campaign and a
passionate one will be waged. 1t
must be seriously prepared for.
In the matter of appropriating
public money there was linked a
scrupulous regard for economy and a
glorious liberality. Every eleemosy-
nary institution was provided for,
but mercy did not carry away the
senses of the Assembly. The educa-
tional institutions received no in
crease for maintenance, but their
necessities were not disregarded.
The Penitentiary was found greatly
in debt, and for it 100000 in bonds
and $4,000 annually had to be given.
Above all, epoch-making, hope-up-
lifting is the act giving the free
schools 800, O,OOO-sending that much
of the peoples money back to their
children, putting the State on record
as making direct appropriations to
popular education, thrilling the
hearts of those who have laborcd
in darkness for these schools,
eloquently declaring that interest is
awakening. We foresee the day
when men will look back to this act
as marking the greatest and noblest
change in the States educational
policy. If any lack hope for the
public schools and her 100000 chill
dren, is is no fault of the General
Assembly.
There was multitudinous amount
of minor legislation, many an un-
called for bill failed, even the
nightly pushed Textile School.
These things required work: 1t was
done by Committee, and we never
knew committees to work more
diligently.
For officials, directors and trustees,
"ol HCh "OiO SOlONCCo 81 ldk uo
we know. A remarkable change was
revealed in the increase Of the num-
Der of officers to be elected by the
people.
The public printing was awarded,
not On political considerations, but
as a business matter. The fact that
it was first given to firm that failed
to sign the contract, a firm whose
political influence was against that
dominant in the General Assembly,
goes to show this.
A road-law was enacted, which
will add immeasurably to the COM
mon good as it slowly works out it's
ends.
And we are left Reformatory for
youthful criminals and the de-
liverance of the child-slaves Of the
factories to plead for two more years.
Taken all in all, the General AS
sembly served the State wisely and
we'll. Much is yet to be done; much
vet to live for. We are in the be-
ginning Of new day. Let us work
one and all in the thrill of the morn
ing's hope.