The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-06-20
TEEEDIToRs's LEISURE HouRs.
Points and Paragraphs Of Things
Eresent, Past and Future.

.
North Carolina in more ways than one
The following item concerning work II
the effort to give mill operatives bet
ter opportunities rather striking:
"Rev. J. A. Baldwin, OF Gastonia
who has for several years been engaged
in work among cotton mill operatives
and bas studied the question of edu
eating these people, has decided to de
vote bis life to the work, feeling tina
he can do more good than in the min
istry of the pulpit. He has secured
the heeco-operation of several prominent
cotton mill men, and will establish s
school that is designed to give the cot
ton mill operatives a literary aud In
dustrial education at the same time
His aim is to train their minds and
hands together, and the literary and
technical will be taught at the same
time. All branches OF cotton manu-.
facture will be taught, as we'll as de.
signing and estimating. A cotton mill
is to be built to be run In connection
with the institution, which will be
thoroughly practical. This is said to
be the first school of the kind In the
South, and the experiment will be
watched with more than usual interest. .
The dispensary system Of handling
the liquor traffic is gaining ground in
North Carolina very rapidly, and there
seems to be little doubt for an unbiased
mind that it is gaining ground purely
on its merits. The following is taken
from a recent issue OF the News and
Observer and shows how the dispen-
sary lessons crime:
In the proceeding to recover the
fines imposed in Fayetteville for the
school fund, Mayor COOK was asked
this question !: "Can you explain why
SO much less has been received from
fines and costs during the last three
years than during 1892, when w. u.
Caster was recorder? ?''
Here is his answer: "Under the
RECORDERS conrt, as operated by Gas.A-
the Recorder was paid by fees, as were
the officers, and it was during the time
that there were thirteen bar-rooms in
Fayetteville, and during the last three
years the dlspensary has been in force
in Fayetteville, and crime has decreas-
ed so to 80 per cent, and. the officers
get only their salaries now"
This testimony will be regarded by
the advocates of the dispensary as the
best solution of the liquor question as
OF the highest Importance.
TIE COMMONWEALTH has had some
thing to say recently concerning the
work the newspapers of the State are
doing in their efforts to help develop
the great resources OF the State. And
we believe that every intelligent OBJ
server OF such things agrees with the
we have made about the
noble band Of newspaper workers.
There is another live interest before
our people to-day that owes much to
the newspapers of the State, namely,
general education. For years and
wears, In season and out of season, the
of North Carolina have
constantly and faithfully encouraged
every effort fora quickened interest in
education. They have spoken for the
teachers and asked that they be paid
promptly and a fair wage for their
great service to the people of the State
In instructing the children as well as
the young men and young women.
The newspapers have encouraged every
educational interest from the "old field
school" at the crossing of the ways to
the stately college and university.
The newspapers have been generous
with their space In giving room for
of every kind, and the
Raleigh News and Observer recently
took pains to say that in giving so
much space to reports Of commence
ments during commencement season it
felt like it had been rendering good
service to the State; and no one has
stood up, nor Will any one, to question
the statement.
The newspapers have been generous
towards the schools OF every class in
the State, and they feel repaid in see
ing the schools generally prosperous.
The schools may rely upon the news
-. ,,e,. ~, ho tno,r friends and helpers