The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-02-18

.o.,onal Indifference which Is b
OLiof osuse of the small average
soilv attendance of SO 6 pupils out of
vary 100 enrolled in our present
public schools,
We believe the future will hold Us
-ssponsible for the perpetuRtion of
tbese unfavorable conditions, and,
therefore, we conceive Ii 60 be the
pstriotio, moral, and religious duty
If this generation of North Caro-
Iinisns TO set about in earnest TO find
the means by which all n children
ran receive that education which
will give them equal opportunities
with the children of other sections
of u common country.
4 Viewing our educational prob
ems and conditions in the light of
educational history and experience,
we declare it TO be our firm conviction
that the next step forward for North
Carolina in educHti n is to provide
more money for her country public
schools, making possible the consoli
dstion of small school districts, the
professional teacher, and skilled
supervision Of the expenditure of all
school funds and of the teaching
done in the schools.
The history OF the adoption OF the
prino1ple IF local self help by our 35
graded school towns and cities must
surely be an inspiration and al eX-
ample to every village and rural
community In North Carolina. Those
towns and oltles have adopted the
only means at hand for the adequate
eduoation of their children. In Ad
optlng this principle, local taxation,
thew secured first, adequate school
fund.-; second, competent supervls-
ion third, skilled teachers. Lack
ing any one of this educational trim
ity NO community has we yet sue
ceeded in esta Ollshlng the mt ans of
complete education for its children.
These 35 towns and cities within
our borders have followed the lead
Of other sections of the United States
in adopting first the means of educR-
ton, local taxation. The fact that
SO Ter cent. of the total school fund
of this Union ia now raised by local
taxes. while N rth Carolina raises
only IA ler cent.Of her funds by that
Pal and lags behind all her sister
States in 9 phase Of public edu,
cation, has both It's lesson and It's
warming.
5. Remembering that in the last
year nearly 80 communities in North
Carolina, some of them distinctly
rural, have adopted the principe of
local taxation for schools, we think
this time N. sc suspicious 30 urge u
general movement of all our educa
tional forces in that direction, and,
therefore, we appeal TO all patriotic
North Carolinians, men and women
who love their Ssate, and especially
that part of their State which is
worth more than all its timber,
lands. mines, and manufacturing
plants. to band themFelves together
under the leadership of our "EducR-
tional Governor" and the State Su-
p~erintendent of Public instruction,
aided by the Southern Education
Board. tn carry forward the work OF
local taxation and better schools, to
the end that every child within n
borders may have the opportunity
TO- fit himself for the duties of citizen
ship and S cial service.
And, finally, heartily believing in
the CbristlikeDess Of this work of
bringing universal education TO all
the children of North Carolina, We
confidently rely on the full oo-Opera
ton of all the churches of the State,
whose work is 30 near the hearts Of
all the people, and, therefore appeal
to the pulpit TO inculcate the supreme
duty of universal education.
Signed: G. B. Ayoook, Governor
of North Carolina T. F. Toon, State
Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton; G. D Mower, State Normal
College F P Venable, State Uni
versItv; GeO T Winston, A. q Nj.
College G.. E Taylor, Wake Forest
College Edwin Minis, Trinity Col
lege; H L Smith, Davidson Col
lega; g.. II MeAane, Gaia wbS Col
lege L. L Hobbs, Guilford College
Lee crawford, Rub erfOrd g llege
Z. Vardell, Red Springs Seminary
}. @. Atkins, Elon College; RObt
Biz CHAN, AaheviIle; J. A. Holt,
Oak Ridge E P Moses, RALEIGH r.
IN N.n- y .n+iaN female HniNnr-