The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-06-19
..wHAT sHALL We DO ABOUT ITro

on compulsory education for Com
missioner Lacy's Report of the
North Carolina Bureau of Labor and
Printing" just issued. The article
needs no comment by u.s.. The bare,
indisputable facts, the undeniable
truth that cit is a condition and not
a theory that cOnfronts us, these
are enough to force the question
home to every S~tate-loving North
Carolinian, what are we going to
do about it?' From Superintendent
Mebane's article we quote:
According to my Educational Re
port for the year 1898, the percent
age of white school population in at
tendance on schools was only 81 40
per cent. of colOred population,
80 80 per cent.
1.-THE figures are enough to make
every man in North Carolina pause
and consider what is the cause and
what is the remedy for this small at
tendance. 5''.1t
shall mention two or three rea-
sons from my point of view:
First, and that which is the
most alarming is careless, Indifferent
parents. It is wonderful how many
fathers and mothers we have in this
State who do not realize the awful
responsibility that rests upon them
as to the future welfare Of their
children.
''Second-PoOr teachers in the pub
lie schools. Teachers whose work
and lives have had very little effect
inside the School room and no effect
on society and the community at
large for the cause of public educa-
ton.
Third-Bad management on the
part of school officials. Merit has
had very little encouragement in so
many instances. The powers that
be have been more concerned for the
continuance of said powers than they
have been for the progress and ad-
vancement of the schools.
1.-The remedy that has been and is
used to reach the children in 81
States is the strong arm of the law.
"An of the New England States
have compulsory attendance laws.
All Of the Middle Atlantic States,
except Virginia, have compulsory
attendance laws. All of the Central
States, except Missouri, have COM
pulsory attendance laws. All of the
Rocky Mountain and Pacific States
and Territories, except New Mexico,
have compulsory attendance laws.
1.-The list of States which have no
compulsory attendance laws, show
ing the per cent of ~illiteracy of white
population according to Census of
1900, is:
North Carolina, % per cent
South Carolina, 10; Alabama, 10
Virginia, IA Georgia, II; Louisiana,
20; Arkansas, II; Tennessee, 10
Texas, s ; Mississippi, II; Oregon, 2
Missouri, z; Maryland, 6; Florida,
II; New Mexico Territory, 43.
According to this list North
Carolina has more illiterate white
folks than any other save one, that
of New Mexico.
NOW 1 ask what are the people of
North Carolina going to do aboutit?"
Now as to what we shall do about
it, The Progressive Farmer has a
few suggestions to make. Whether
not you favor compulsory educa-
ton, the most important thing for
you to do, Mr.. Voter, is to see that
your candidate for the Legislature
is an enthusiastic, wide-awake friend
of popular education. Make him
speak out on the question. Make
him pledge himself to do everythingI
short of bankrupting the
to give North Carolina such
schools as she should have.
let him devote his whole time
to discussing or ''cussing" the
amendment. That question will be
before the next Legislature
meets and he should talk of other
matters. Talk the matter over with
neighbors. Find out what
capable, honest man in your party
will do most for the public schools.
For we are convinced that there is
no question of greater Importance to
North Carolina and her people.
forget the facts given by Prof.
Mebane, and don't forget that query:
What ire we going to do about it?"