The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-07-19
nR. AYCOCk AND THE EDUcA-
TONAL- CAMPAIGN.
Would Have Every Boy and Girl Edo
Gated and Given q Fair Chance In the
Race of Life.

The Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor. Mr.. Aycock. has set an excel
lent example to all candidates in his
advocacy OF more and better educa-
tion for North Carolina. 1t is wise
step and good will come of it. Mr..
Aycock is not narrow and insular
and hide-bound. He favors a school
system that embraces all, from the
lowest to the highest-from the pri-
maries to the eliminating university.
The educational movement in North
Carolina begun between 1910 and
1850. DIR. S. B. Weeks said that CAL
vim H. Wiley had given to North Car
olina the very best common school
system that could be found in any
Southern State prior to the great
war. This is strictly true. North
Carolina led its Southern sisters here
as it led them in many things. and in
the teeth of their jibes and names Of
| reproach.
But, sad to say. in this year Of
grace 1900, there is a great deal Of
illiteracy in this fine old State, nat
urally one of the greatest in the
Nation" 1t is no longer written in
political circles 1.-the American Union. :"
1t is the fault of parents, OF white
parents at that, that there is SO much
| widespread illiteracy. They do not,
they will not, send their children to
the public schools, all open and free
of charge. So there is need OF a
| general educational revival, and our
| able leader and standard bearer, the
| able and wise Aycock, is in the field
urging upon the white people to edu-
cate their children, and for the State
to increase the facilities Better
schools, a higher grade of teachers.
longer terms, are greatly needed.
Much of the prosperity and renown of
the State depend upon better system
of public schools and the faithful at
tendance of all children OF school
age.
Good, wise, honest, economical gov
ernment brings in it's train many
blessings, and among them is educa-
tion. 1t enables the appropriations to
be more generous, and this to enlarge
the facilities without really increas-
ing much of the burdens of the tax
payers. The Democrats are awake
now to this matter of very great and
pressing Importance. They are deter
mined that the opportunities for free
education shall be ample, and that
Improvement in the character of the
teachers shall be the watchword Of
reform and progress. If the white
children are not educated hereafter it
will not be the fault of enlightened
and progressive Democrats, but of
| stupid parents.
The amendment to the Constitution
requires white boys to learn to read
and write by 1908. 1t gives the boys
of 8, 10, IL and 13 many years in
which to learn to read and write. 1t
is not partisanship in 1.-the least de-
gree" to cause this to be done. All
share alike. Republican boys, Demo-
cratic boys, Populist boys. All par
ties should unite in this great move
ment for improvement of the public
schools, the betterment OF society,
the development of the State. the up
lifting of the individual. With the
success of the amendment the negro
schools will be also improved and
developed and the negro boys can
easily qualify themselves to vote as
they become OF age. BY 1915 prob
ably there can be an educated cleo
torate in North Carolina Whining
ton Messenger.