The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-16

IT document which should have the Sc
rious consideration of all good citizens.
| The chief significance of the meeting.
however, was an indication that the
teaching profession is going to do it's
duty and take the lead in the great fight
| for better educational facilities for all
| the peopIe On account of the peculiar
nature of the teachers work, demanding
| that so much of his time be spent with
! children rather than with men and wo-
men,. his influence as citizen upon con-
temporary public opinion has been ex
ceedingIy small Tmidity and the lack
of skill and practice in securing the
adoption of his ideas by his fellow citi-
zens have lessened his influence upon his
contemporaries, however great that in
fluence may be in the next generation
He has usually waited for others to lead
in the battles for the establishment and
support of educational systems, feeling
that his full duty was DISCHARGED when
he taught children end youth. If the
physician should adopt a similar policy,
he would be a nero healer of patients
instead of being as he is. in addition
thereto. the leading and most influential
citizen on sanitary questions The law
yer similarly would become mere trier
of cases in the courthouse, or counsellor
in his office instead of being, as he is.
in addition thereto, the guide of his fell
low citizens in all matters relating to
law and our Civil Government The law
yer has always been a lawyer and a
citizen the physician has been ply
stefan and citizen, but as rule, the
teacher has been content to be merely a
teacher, and has therefore not com
manded serious consideration for his opin-
ions upon public matters, even of an ed
vocational character.
The teachers know more about educa-
ton and educational needs than any other
citizen Of the Commonwealth, and when
they give unanimous endorsement to an
educational policy, the general public
ought TO give, and will give them hear
ing. The profession has waited too long
for men in other professions and callings
to fight the publics education battles.
So little has the profession asserted its
citizenship that the teachers do not even
select the tools with which they are to
perform their professional tasks.
When the educators of the State de-
termine that illiteracy shall be abolish
ed in North Carolina, and that there shall
be no cessation Of the agitation until it
is done the final outcome of the issue
will no longer be in doubt. In the old
story we all remember, so long as the
farmer depended upon his kinsmen and
neighbors to harvest his wheat, the
mother partridge said to her brood that
they might remain in the field without
fear of being disturbed. but as soon as
she learned that the farmer had resolved
to come next day with reaper to reap
his wheat himself. she said: Children
we must seek other quarters.
The mon who met in Raleigh were not
there for the purpose of discussing a
variety of questions on which the pro-
fession is not unit, nor were they there
to consider the details of management of
the public schools by county superin-
tendents or others Their purpose was
to form an effective strong organization
determined to place before the public
mind in such way as to command at
tention, the question of local taxation
for public education in every community
in North Carolina where it Is needed to
secure good schools. good houses and
strong teachers. All the cities of the
State and most of the towns and larger
villages have adopted the principles Of
local taxation as a necessity, and if it is
impossible to secure effective, schools in
the cities and towns without local tax.
how can any one expect to secure such
schools in the country without a local
tax? Property worth 800 in the city pays
not only the eighteen cent school tax paid
by all other communities. but in addi-
tion special school tax of about thirty
cents voted by their people.
If the teaching profession and all other
good citizens who believe in local taxa,
tion fight for the adoption of that prin-
ciple. we can have. in less than five
years. a schools system that will be
credit to the State and a source of pride
to all its citizens. In the meantime, we
shall have discharged, in measure. our
duty to the next generation.
For the next two years, at least, some
of the most effective public speakers in
the State, in the teaching profession and
out OF it. will go wherever there can be
found a number of citizens who desire to
have discussed before their people the
great subject of local taxation and bot
ter schools.
Very respectfully,
CHAS. D. NEWER,