The news & observer., 1901-01-16
MONUMENT TO
CALVIN /. WILEY
TO Be Erected In
The Capitol Square
The Details Of Plan Suggested By Mr.. R. W.
Askew, Superi ltendent If Schools in
Berthe County. Approved by
.kebane and Toon.

To the Editor; The memory of
no man who has lived in North
Carolina during the years of the
and commemorative devotion by her peo-
pie. for faithful and sacrificing labor, rem
dered in the laying of sure foundation,
upon which the future of his State should
grow and materialize by the mental de-
velopment of her children than that of
Calvin Henderson Wiley" who planted,
fostered directed and watched with de-
votion, the infant work of public educa-
tiou in North Carolina. 1t was not. that.
for this work he might receive the praise
and honor of men, but from a Jealous de-
votion to the future interest of his State,
through the intellectual culture of her
children Hence he is rightfully called
the .fApostle of public education. Al
though he is dead. his works are follow
ing him, and multiplying rapidly as the
years pass on.
He is to-day, honored and revered ten
fold more than while he lived. And
the admiration of the man and his work,
will continue to grow.
His efficient work constitutes the big
gest page in North Carolina history our
late worthy State Superintendent made
prominent mention of his lasting deeds
in his biennial report of 1S97-'9S Read IT,
The memory of this man must and Will
be honored and should be done by the
children of the State. as he was their
friend and gave most stimulus to the
educational advantages which they now
ep.cv
Yes. place a monument of lasting mar
BILE in the most favored spot OF our capl-
toI square, and let his name be also placed
upon the roll of fame. as one OF North
Carolina's S greatest men
In order to further this worthy cause
we propose the following plan:
Let the county superintendent OF each
county in the State have every teacher
in his charge appoint special CALVIN
Wiley day. during the present session OF
their schools; possibly a public closing
day would be best; at which time the
children could have public exercises and
the teacher or some one else speclally
selected for the purpose, make historic
remarks. touching the life and work OF
Mr. Wiley in the cause OF a common
education Have the parents and 1rlehdS
Of the community present and take VOL
uTtary collection from all, IN the name
of the children Let this amount. with
the number, race and township or the
school be placed with the county super
intendent. who shall keep record of the
same and hold the funds thus raised, SUD-
icct to future development of the plan.
This plan. we believe is plausible, pos5i-
BILE, and can easily be carried to success
1t only requires an effort on the part OF
each superintendent.
Will not every county superintendent
in the State take hold of this work at
once and pledge himself to raise, thus.
through his teachers and children, at
least sn average of fifty cents to the
school? This county (Bertie) will do 1t.
Indeed large portion of our schools nave
already taken the collection and thus far,
have averaged that amount.
There are about eight thousand pub
lie schools in the State. at fifty cents
each. this would amount to $1,000. our
private schools. academies and colleges,
would readily supplement the same with
a thousand or two more; thus securing,
within the next three or four months.
fund sufficient to erect creditable mon
ument to the memory of this, one Of
North Carolina's first citizens. The grow
ing Importance of Mr.. Wiley's work Will
otherwise in the not distant future erect
this monument Then why not let it be
done at once, and by the children OF the
State as a twentieth century work OF love
to his memory?
We have the hearty endorsement or
this plan, by State superintendent Mebane
and Toon. also by Mrs. Wiley, which Will
be duly furnished each county supcrinten-
dent with copy of our plan.
We trust that all who are friendly to
this cause will see to it that it be kept in
motion until the work is accomplished.
Respectfully submitted,
p W. ASKEW,
superintendent BERTHE County.