The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-14
PROPERTY CAN BE CREATED
BY INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION
Technical Schools Would Multiply Our Wealth, and
SO Pay Taxes for the General Education
so Much Needed.
(By T. NJ. Robertson.)

The Industrial progress made in North
Carolina during the past few years has
excited the admiration and wonder of
our people. When all the circumstances
are considered, there has probably been
nothing to compare with it in the indus
trial growth of any other portion of this
country. Along with this industrial ac-
tivity has come an educational awaken
ing that means more than all things else
for the future good of our State. The
educational campaign now being waged
has revealed to thinking men one serious
fact, namely, that we cannot make great
progress in education without more
money. We have boosted that we have
the cheapest state government in the
United States. Our ability to make that
boast has enabled the rest of the world
to point to us an example of the deep
est ignorance in any American State.
This is not a pleasant Acknowledgment,
but it is just as we'll to be honest with
ourselves and admit the truth. If we
are wise, we will now learn this impor-
tant lesson. We cannot educate our peo-
pie without schools; we cannot have
schools without money; and we cannot
have money without taxes. Our State
Constitution has just been amended and
wisely But it needs another amendment
perhaps more than the one recently
adopted. Let us now abolish that clause
in our Constitution which prohibits the
General Assembly from levying sufficient
taxes to provide schools for our children.
Our State gets more for its money than
any other community on the face OF the
earth But we do not have enough money
to spend. and we never can have 1t as
long as we have a Constitution that
limits us to a beggarly pittance. This
is not popular talk, but it is the solid,
unshakable truth and the sooner we
realize it the better.
We need a higher tax rate and we need
more wealth to tax. Recent years nave
added much to our wealth, and If we VIII
proceed wisely with our scheme for cd
ucation we can soon double our taxable
wealth. We must develop our resources
and multiply our industrial activity. To
do this we must provide special education
looking to industrial growth. The world
REQUIRES lust so much of the fruits or
industry and its requirements increase
each year. Centers of production of the
necessities of mankind are being estab-
lished and avenues of trade which will
distribute these necessities are being laid
out The United States promises soon
to be the dominating commercial power
of the world, and North Carolina has the
opportunity of becoming very large
factor in the nations new career of great
ness. 1t is our golden opportunity. We
can improve the opportunity, make our
selves hich and powerful, or we can sleep
along in our old-fashioned way and let
other communities seize the prize that
nature marked for us. Which will we
do?
Other countries now hold first place
in many fields of production by purely ar
tificial means. When they lacked raw
materials and home markets they Offset
the former with trained mechanics and
the latter with commercial enterprises.
We, with natural resources unlimited,
can easily dominate the commerce of
the earth If we will train our artisans
and contend for our share of the carrying
trade of the world. And orth Carolina
can have her share in this proud achieve
ment II she will put forth proper effort.
But we must work for flight for it.
1t is just plain proposition of business
There is no sentiment in business. 1t
is calculating and cold blooded. 1t
pete successfully with our manufacturing
communities we must produce as good
goods at lower prices or better goods at
the same prices. II we expect to trade
with people We must have what they
want. and We must be able to supply
their wants cheaper than any one else
can.
Our enterprises must be profitable. We
SY1t,C ooly r. ,rhf hot
make money, and labor and capital and
enterprise cannot live without it, / do
not believe that an individual or a people
Is ever better employed than when en-
gagged in honorable money making. l
know that the habit of getting wealth
is condemned by some. They tell us that
"commercialism" is the term applied to
modern business that it may brighten the |
thoughtleSs. 1t is to be regretted that |
some newspapers and some public men
sometimes attempt to make it appear
that wealth is to be Stunned and that
the wealthy are conspiring band of sim
ners that ought to be kicked off the |
earth. l would not have our people
worship mammon. but / would have them
realize that money honestly made and
wisely spent is necessary to the highest /
happiness. 1 would have them remember |
too, that thrift does not dwell in the |
tents of ignorance.
Business is the ruling power of the |
world. 1t has invaded the domain of |
politics-swept aside traditions and the I
ories-and introduced the multiplication
table into statecraft. Business has |
entered the field of education and estab- |
lished schools in which men and women /
are taught to do things. These are
conditions and not theories that con-
front U.S." and we must meet them face /
to face whether we will or not. Educa-
tion is the foundation of business sue I
cess. The successful man is educated in
his calling The man whose education /
consists in a general knowledge of sew |
eral things and particular knowledge of /
nothing, is not likely to succeed. He /
may do so. but it is not probable. The
man who is specially educated for a
definite purpose is almost sure to sue