The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-06-13
Judge Walter Clark's S Paper.

Judge Walter Clark's Paper.
Hon. Walter Clark, President of the
State Historical Society, delivered an ad-
dress this morning. His subject was:
"How to Encourage The Study OF His
tory in North Carolina Ii was in his
usual style of literary excellence, prac-
teal Judgment and progressiveness. He
began by congratulating the Assembly
upon the S200,000 appropriation for public
education, which, he said, lis due to
your efforts. He commended the plan
of the rural libraries and predicted en-
larGed usefulness.
To c-tcrd public education, "a mod
Ctu up-tc-d2tc system of taxation which
shall raise the necessary funds by the
readjustment Of the burdens in accord
ance with modern conditions" is needed.
1T is idle," said Judge Clark, "to talk
about q long term with the appropriations
now available. More money must be had
and a good deal more. 1t cannot be raised
by increasing the tax upon land and mer-
chandise the crude mediaeval system
which is so largely in vogue among us.
The farmers's S business is not prosperous.
You cannot add to his burdens Nor can
the merchant, who now pays not only
double but a threefod or fourfold tax
bear a heavier burden
The recommendation made by Hon.
Chas. II. Mebane, former State Superin-
tendent of Public Schools has recommend
cd the right system--a tax on the gross
earnings of railroads. "The railroads of
this State collect as North Cardinals S pro-
portion of their earnings annually over
sixteen million of dollars, of which mere
than six millions is not profit. Not one
dollar of this immense revenue pays one
cent of tribute to God or Caesar. AS
a.hex re owned almost entirely by non
~ these great net revenues are
II of the State never to return
an to our permanent impoverish-
mentrw wOther States are raising a large
revenue from this tax. tax of per
cent levied upon the $4,000, 900 of earn
ings in North Carolina would give $780,
0G0 annually as a sacred fund for the
schools. This tax would not be serious
ly felt by the railroads. for while tax
Of 3 per cent on the sixteen millions of
gross earnings is 100000, as the net earn
ings of the railroads in North Carolina
are over $6,o00O00, there would still be
left them 81, 200, ,000 net revenue, which is
Is per cent interest upon the 100000 900
which they have somewhat reluctantly
assented to be the fair value of all their
real and personal property in this State.
Every dollar Of this sum will be needed
TO give good schools. Fair words butter
no parsnips. Better schools wait on a
strong public sentiment that will force
legislation to levy necessary taxes along
modern lines.
The first consideration is good schools
and good school teachers, whereby some
thing more than the three RS can be
taught. Then we reach the secondary
stage how to encourage the study of his
tory. Judge Clark then said:
THE first consideration when you have
the schools, and the 'eisure to teach his
tory is YOU must make it interesting to
the pupils.
Articles, brief and striking should
he written upon the most salient points
Of our history. Canoes OF history. so to
sneak. Something in that line has been
done by Mr.. Creccy and some others.
Such gems we'll set will attract the boy
or girl when grave compilations like
those of DIR. Hawks, Col Wheeler and
others will repel.
Then if possible the eye should be ap-
pealed to by paintings and engravings.
In every Massachusetts school book, in
every Massachusetts library and public
building you will find engrayings of the
notable events in her history and of the
great men who have led her people on
all great occasions.
There You will find placed before the
eye Of childhood the representation of the
landing from the Mayflower upon that
rock hound coast in the depth Of winter.
the flight Of the British from Lexington,
VWr.
Indian wars. the pictures of Adams, of
Hancock and Webster. What Massachu-
setts child ever forgets the native land
which produced such men or the spots
where such events orcHred
s.Jh h.nS. sisz.1e the ta4ding Of the Pill
Eth Carolina schonI