The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-08
THREE TIMES The VICTORY
HAS GONE TO WAKE FOREST
A Great Debate Upon the Question Of Com
pusory Education in North
Carolina.
AFFIRMATIVE CAPTURED THE Sill YER TROPHY

Hebrews. It. owes it's introduction in
modern times to Martin Luther. The
trainers of the Constitution of North
Carolina, recognizing that parental con-
troll of children is not an unalterable
principle upon which Interchangeable laws
are based, empowered the Legislature, in
Article TX, Section Is, to enact COM
puIsory school law. The Legislature has
only gone half way. 1t has levied tax
upon the citizens for the education of all
the children, yet allows Indifferent par
ents to defeat it's aims. Now the equity
of the compulsory system rests upon
the principle that the parent who ne
elects to educate his child, proves that
| he has no idea of the parental relation,
and by the nom performance of parental
duties forfeits his parental right, and
the, State. recognizing that the same
principle that authorizes taxation,
makes compulsory attendance impera-
tive, forces the parent to respect the
inalienable right Of the child to be edu-
Gated for if the child of today becomes
81, and is unable to read and write, he
will be DISTINGUISHED.
The success of the system lies in no
solitary case. The average per cent Of
illiteracy in the thirty-two States that
have compulsory laws is seven. In the
States that have none it is 80. North
Carolina heads this illiterate column
with % per cent of her white population
illiterate. Is it not reasonable to sup
pose that system which has so bene-
fitted other States will bless North
Carolina? Can North Carolina afford to
remain Indifferent when her sister States
are growing in knowledg and wealth,
when a compulsory law will do for us
what it has done for other States.
The defect of the present system lies
in that law that provides means of ed
ucaton for all the children, yet allows
900 of these children to defame the
State with voluntary illiteracy. These
children must be educated. A compul-
sorry law is the means. 1t may take
more money, but the question is not.
Can we afford to do it?'' 1t is, ''Can
we afford not to do it?'' For so long as
our present system empties our Golfers,
Transforming wealth producers into de-
pendents and criminals, our prosperity
is in danger. Compulsory education is
the remedy for the danger.
The report of the Labor Commissioner
vors compulsory attendance. And when
a principle enlists the active cooperation
of the citizens and responds to an en-
lightened public sentiment. then it is
time for that principle to be adopted.
From the time that it was announced
that North Carolina had the greatest
per cent of illiterate white population &C.
all the States, education has been the
ta1x,
passport to their favor in the great cam
paign OF 1900. With this triumphant
word the eloquence of our beloved Gov
ernor turned the votes of thousands
into the Democratic party. But the
present system fails to make education
universal, and If the Democratic party
would keep its pledges it must adopt a
system that will reach the people. a
compulsory law has met the demands in
thirty-two of our States. 1t will edu-
cate 100000 illiterate children in North
Carolina today-will ''do away with the
dangerous and hurtful agencies that
menace our prosperity, and will make
way for the good, the true. the solid
the substantial upbuilding and elevation
of not part Of our people, but of all
our people"
THE NEGATIVE BEGINS.
The applause which greeted the effort
of Mr.. Dunn having died away, the first
speaker on the negative was introduced
Mr.. c. L. Hornaday.
The speaker began his argument quiet
ly, but was working up to his subject,
when he paused. In minute he tried
to continue, but could not. He walked
to his colleagues, held a few moments
converse with them, and again stepped
to the front but his words would not
come. At this juncture Mr., L. p. Howard.
one of his colleagues, after Wake For
est debater had talked with him, an
nounced that the second debate7, Mr. w ii.
Brown would occupy the time of Mr.. Horn
aday, who would speak later. In justice
to the latter he said that he, though sick,
had come to Raleigh. and was suffering
from an arm in bad shape because of
recent vaccination
Mr.. Brown presented strong argu-
ment for the negative in vigorous style.
Among the other argument presented
some are found in the following resume
of his speech.
MR.. BROWNS SPEECH.
The population OF North Carolina is a
scattered one, there being only thirteen
children to the square mile of territory
We have one school house for every
seven and half square miles of terri
tory Many of these are in bad condi-
ton.
The number of school houses is not
sufficient to accommodate more than
half of the children. The teaching force
would have to be augmented by $500.
Many of those we have are incompetent.
1t was this poverty of our schools and
lack of capable teachers that is inspiring
our honored Governor to make educa-
tional speeches all over the State.
There were 1000 districts in the State
last year without any schools. Many of
our county superintendent are not COM
petent men. But in spite Of all these
hindrances our schools are growing bet
ter each year.
A compulsory system would necessi-
tate the erecting of nearly as many
buildings as we now have. 1t would ne
cessitate truant schools and truant Off
GERS. 1t would necessitate the transpor-
tation of many bf the children and the
furnishing of books and clothing to
many. 1t would call for many trials and