The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-03-16
an EDUCATIONAL LEGISLATURE.

! the General Assembly of 1899 for ap-
| propriating one hundred thousand dol
lars for the benefit of the public schools
| of the State, and pledge ourselves to
| increase the school fund so as to make
at least a four months term in each
year in every school district in the
State"
The same convention that adopted the
pledge instead of glittering generalities,
nominated as its candidate for Gov
ernor the foremost citizen in the State
whose lifelong devotion to public edu-
cation was guarantee that his admin
| stration would be devoted to the edu
cational uplifting of the children of the
State.
The party pledge has been kept to the
| letter. A mere summary of what this
Legislature has done for education
shows that it has been responsive to the
best thought and highest aspirations of
the people. If it has made any mistake
elsewhere, the wise and progressive
educational policy will more than make
up for any mistakes. Here are the most
important measures adopted for edu-
cational advancement:
1. A plan for State adoption of
school books by which the children OF
the State will use uniform school books
and will be enabled to buy them at least
twenty five per cent cheaper than here
tofore. This was the initial step to
helping the schools, and if the COM
mittee does its duty, there is no doubt
that this measure will save thousands
of dollars to the children of the State.
2. The appropriation of two hundred
thousand dollars to supplement the
school fund of the State, one hundred
thousand to be distributed to all the
counties per capita and one hundred
schools to a four months term, will
give a new stimulus to education and
will go far toward removing the bane
Of illiteracy from the States fair name.
3. The passage Of what the best
posted men regard as the best public
school law in the States history will
afford machinery for the betterment of
the schools. Large appropriations
alone will not educate the people. The
fund must be wisely managed and
healthy interest created in parents and
children to secure the best results from
the public school appropriations.
f. The bill providing a beginning for
libraries in the country schools will de-
velop a taste for reading. 1t is pro-
vided in this bill that whenever in any
school district $40 is given by an indi-
vidual or individuals, the same sum
shall be contributed from the county
and State school fund, provided that
not more than $4,000 shall be given by
the State and county each. With this
incentive to the beginning of small IL
braries, it is believed chat many school
districts in the county incorporated
towns are excepted from this ac) will
provide libraries for the children of the
schools. AS the appropriation is not
large, only those districts that apply
4. The liberal appropriations to the
University, Agricultural and Mechani-
cal College, and the State Normal and
Industrial College show that the State
is in earnest in the great work of edu-
cation, and is resolved to make the
advantages of it's great institutions so
ters may leave the State TO receive an
Industrial classical or normal educa-
ton. The provision for better facilities
for education were provided not only
for the schools for the white children,
but for the colored children as well'
g. The transfer OF the management
Agriculture is the most important step
taken for industrial education since the
Watauga Club secured the establish
ment of that College in the city of Raj
eigh That college is primarily intended
to make skilled and wise farmers and
mechanics. The $4,000 appropriation for
a textile school is long step for the
education Of skilled men for the mills
The Board of Agriculture will devise
and execute an equally progressive step
for the better training Of the youth of
the State for the farm The agricul-
tural interests will rot predominant in
the future as in the past in North Caro-
lima, but at least this generation will
not live to see any other interest lead
agriculture in this State. 1t is there
fore wise to give the Board of Agri-
culture control and management of this
institution dedicated to the education
of young men for mechanics and agri-
culture.
Z. There are other measures for the
educational progress of the State,
among them $4,000 to the Cullowee Nor
NAL School in Jackson county; the APP
preparation to the orphan asylum, in