The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-23
co HAND IN HAND.
Education and Democracy IN
North Carolina.
Governor Aycock Makes Notable Speech in
Polk iffscuaIIy Answering The
Republican Charges,
Especial to News and Observer

Especial to News and Observer
Columbus, ~ c., Oct. 22.-One of the
most notable speeches ever made in Polk
county was that of Governor Chas. B. Az
cocks at the court house here yesterday
He was at his best, and his speech was
one of his fair, conservative, convincing
and eloquent appeals. The crowd, esti~
mated at about 900 or 700, listened to
North Cardinals greatest orator with
intense interest from start to finish. Even
Republicans admitted that it was great
speech and that they had seldom heard
his equal
The Governor was introduced by Mr..
Geo. C. Justice, of Rutherfordton, who
said he was pleased to introduce to the
people of Polk county a second Vance,
man who had restored good government
to the Old North State and a man of
whom North Carolinians were justly
proud.
Governor Aycock began his remarks by
saying that Democracy and education
were hand in hand in North Carolina.
He said if his hearers did not believe in
education that they were not one of us,
and were not fit to be a Democrat or as
SOCldIP themselves WIN democrats IN
this or the world to come
II told you, my friends, when I came
here as a candidate to get your vote, and
by-the-way | got more than ! needed,
that if I became Governor of North
Carolina nothing would be left un-
done in my administration in the educa
ton of the children of this great State.
when / became your Governor /
studied the conditions with which we
were confronted and turning for guidance
to the grand old Constitution of North
Carolina I read there as coming down
from the old revolutionary days that re-
ligion and knowledge being essential to
the prosperity of the people, education
shall ever be encouraged This is your
constitution, this is my constitution, and
what each of us must support, and by
the grace of God I said ! would endeavor
to act in the faith of this declaration
l and my administration.
Another clause in the constitution 7
read which said: The Legislature. by
taxation and otherwise. shall provide a
four months term of school in the year.
I called the attention of the Legislature
to this clause and asked that we might
all keep the faith The sum Of 5000 900
was appropriated to bring these condi-
lions about. Do you believe that the
State ought to have appropriated this
amount for school purposes? If Won 90.
then you are fit to be a Democrat Il
not you are none of us and not in our
class.
when the Legislature of 1901 met they
took off part OF other appropria tions and
appropriated $1,000 to the Confederate
soldier and we intend to do more But.
thank God. we have no pension appropria-
tons for desertcrs."
A glowing tribute was paid the woman.
hood of North Carolina and to her eff
forts in this great educational movement.
He depicted another distressing condi-
ton of affairs when he came into office
how the aged and inirm for lack of
homes had to be sent to the jails. I'VE
made an appropriation" he said. "for
new asylum to be built at Morganton.
which is now nearly complete and costs
something over 100000 And l am here
today to ask you to vote the Democratic
ticket. for we have spent your money.
We are not ashamed to spend your money
for the weak, tho helpless. the blind and
the insane"
Tic referred to the Republican State
Convention at Greensboro. declaring that
tho Republicans had endorsed the policy
OF the Democratic administration and
declared that it was about time for them
to so out of business
He spoke of the States turmoil and
strife under the Fusionists and the dark
and bloody scenes of tho Wilmington riot.
And when the manhood of the State
arose 10 these conditions and the dark
cloud had been overthrow" he said
the Republicans plead to Federal au-
th0rity. Their chief cry now is Niger.
Niger, niger
The Republicans also say that we
have DISTINGUISHED $4,000 white men Of
North Carolina. l stand before you to
declare that we have not disfranchiscd
a single white man. What goes with
your POLL tax? Why three fourths Of it
goes to the school fund and the remainder
of it goes to the maintenance of tho aged
and infrm. Where the shoe pinches is
that about $4,000 negroes Of the State
will not be entitled to vote? We arc
all registering now, both Democrats and
Republicans alike. under the grandfather
clause. The old Democratic party is
doing business at the same old stand and
under the same old name. She stands for
manhood. for womanhood the increase of
commerce. the betterment of the people
and | beg that we may all unite in our
efforts to rebuild this grand old North
Carolina into a grander and more glo-
rious State.
Governor Aycock took his scat amid
applause.