The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-07

prise to me that there should be so much
opposition to so simple a measure, for
it needs no argument to show that it,
would save a great deal of money to the
people of the State.
1t does not appear reasonable there
should be such violent opposition unless
there were some pecuniary profit to be
derived from the defeating of the bill.
l had hoped that this matter had been
fought out in the committee, and that
we were to be spared the disgraceful
scenes enacted in this House two years
ago, but it seems we are to have a fight
over it. l don't mean it infer that these
gentlemen who have offered amendments
are in any way interested. But if you
want to kill bill, one of the most in
sidious ways to do it is to amend and
amend it, so as to except certain locah-
ties.
All the graded schools of North Caro-
lima are interested in having books sup
piled as eheaply as possible, and if the
laws of supply and demand are true, they
can certainly be bought cheaper accord
ing as the quantities bought are greater.
To except some localities would lessen the
number of books to be supplied, and so
affect the whole State
Mr.. Watts: Is it not as cheap to buy
no books at all as to buy them at low
price?
Mr.. Rountree: That question hardly
needs an answer.
/ have no earthly interest in the mat
ter save as regards the gentleman from
Wakes zone gallant friend" Qaughter)
and the gentleman from BERTHE. CAP
plause).
Mr.. Watts ] have no desire to exempt
the graded schools of Statesville, but the
board has asked me to introduce the
amendment. They have their ways OF OBJ
tanning books, and l mink they ought to
be allowed to have their own way, with
out being interferred with. Many of the
children already have their books, and it
would be additional expense to secure
others.
MR.. STEWARDS SPEECH.
Mr.. Stewart, of Harnett: l don't wish
10 speak against any gentleman for try
ing to carry out the wishes Of his locality.
/ can understand his situation exactly.
am much interested in this bill, on ac-
count of the poor children of North Caro-
lima.
1t has been said against the bill that
it would necessitate a re-adoptlon or
school books, but under the present law
a re-adoption will become necessary
There is one class of people all true mem
bers should want to help and that is the
poor people who are not able to edu-
cate their children. In Tennessee, with
State adoption, set of school books costs
only $500 In Burke county, North Caro-
lima. the cost is more than $500, and in
Buncombe county more than $500.
l say it is not right to have attorneys
paid to go around to the county boards,
to influence them. 1t is the consumers
of the books that pay these costs of
agents and attorneys. We had State
adoption before that crowd that came in
in '95 brought shame and disgrace upon
the State.
Take the case of man who has to
work from sun to sun for 40 cents. What
condition is he in to furnish his children
with books to attend schools? The prin-
cipal reason that so many children do not
attend the public schools is tecaus'e
their parents cannot afford to furnish
them with books. ] want to be put down
on record as favoring this bill. I myself
have had an experience in my life that
has taught me the necessity of putting
education into the hands of the children.
We have as good and great and chivalrous
a people as can be found anywhere.
Some say they are afraid of these Text
book commissions. / reckon those trusts
that are trying to gobble UP the people
are afraid of them. / am for anything
they are against. | say / am willing
to leave this matter with the commission
appointed by our Governor, whom we
elected by so overwhelming a majority
DR.. Stevenson spoke in favor of the
Iredell 1t has been an ironclad rule
since l have been in this House to sup
port the wishes CT localities. / have
voted for bill after bill for certain local
measures, and | shall vote for this amend
ment. The graded schools of Statesville
are no experiment; they have done a
good work. don't know anything of the
members of Iredell to an honest, faithful
hearing, and to that courtesy we have
been extending to others.
Mr. Mclean, of Scotland: l am OPP
posed TO making any law that will array
the country against the town. l want to
say that | am in favor of this bill, if
there was no other cause, on account Of
the large amount. of money that has been
spent against it. l have received many
letters from attorneys telling me they
were employed to fight the bill. | am like
my friend who has ust spoken, | am q