The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-13
ROADS AND SCHOOL s
Corn Cracker" on Condi-
tons in Cleveland Co.
Too Many Schools and Roads. Tex Poll and
Property, and Use Convicts,
He Says,

eoi"ii0 tdhe time 10 notlce my con-
tributions, they doubtless agree that in
two things am vitality interested. These
two things are crying needs of the hour
in fact would be potent factors in our
material prosperity. One of thesc is
good schools. and the other is good
roads.
EX-Superintendent Mcbane had very
able article in recent issue, in which
he emphasizes the Importance of con-
solidating districts, thereby making
fewer schools and longer terms He,
also, recommends that county superin-
tendents do their duty. and carry out
the express letter and spirit of the law
In Cleveland county, where we should
have about sixty, we have some eighty
seven districts, and the open ear and the
glad hand for any who want mere In
one instance, a new district was granted
when the proposed site of new school
house was in one and one-half miles of
a good school house of fifteen years
standing. Attention was called to the
section of the law in force that provides
that no new school-house shall he built
within less than three miles of one al
ready established and it was further
proven that the malcontents had to
cross but one stream which had two
county bridges and four foot-logs cross
ing 1t, all in the district A county
superintendent and board of education
who don't know the law and can't be
made to see it, should be removed for
incompetenCy; while if they knowingly
and Wilfully violate it's plain provisions
they should be made to walk the plank
for malfeasance. 1t is all very nice to
court the favor of the rich and mighty,
but the poor have rights that should
be respected. The public school is for
the benefit of ALL and all should share
in its salutary and benefcent provisions.
Under present conditions the inveterate
Toes of the system get all they ask,
While one who is their friend and cham-
piCn is looked on with disfavor.
Every man who fought the popular
tax gets what he wants, while the one
who stood like the rocks of Gibraltar
is shown no favors
Until superintendent are more dis
eliminating as to the issuing of certifi-
Gates, until the districts are made
larger, and houses better, and all the
children are enlisted to attend. our
schools will be the butt of ridicule. The
teacher can do much to promote a better
state of affairs Instead of keeping
school, and hoping that just a few Of
the best people will attend, he should
have missionary zeal to get all inter
ested and secure, as near as possible, a
general and unanimous attendance. The
writer has been 23 years on the firing
line, and knows, from experience, that
much can be accomplished by visiting
and talking mp the needs and impor-
lance of education.
Preachers could do much on this line.
but are so engrossed with our schools
and 'Christian education" that they
ignore the free schools, or regard them
with positive despair l wish to say,
here, once for all, that l am an advocate
of 'Christian education and nearly all
the teachers of Cleveland county are
members of some church.
So, it is evident. that if they are i'm
moral the preachers are to blame. [
want it, however. told in Gath and pub
lished in the streets of Askalon, that |
oppose SECULAR education in the public
schools.
A great deal more could be said on
this line. but as coed schools, rural free
delivery and good roads are correlated.
l nave something TO offer on improving
public highways. ] have, as above
stated, been a teacher % years, and
While not rich, can see that | have done
something for others. / have been work.
ing so-called roads 26 years and no
visible Improvement. Schools, while in
bad condition, have made some improve
mcnt, but roads are rs bad as they
were fifty years ago. In fact, except
around Shelby and Lawndale, we have
no roads. We have gutter shaped ruts
that are opened by men who never saw
a good read, and kept up by overseeres
who never saw one, either. In winter
800 pounds is a good load for a horse
on a bad road. while on a good one the
same horse could pull 1000 pounds.
On bad road a horse can founder
through the mud with a buggy at rate
of three miles an hour, while on q good
highway he can go eight miles with less
fatigue to himself and moro comfort to
the rider, or driver. In this county a
great deal of lumber and singles, also
a great deal of produce are hauled to
the market Some sections, remote from
railroads, are rich in monazite, ana in
nearly all of thcm a great deal of wood
IS fauled to towns and factories.
Besides this. the bicycle is here and
rural free delivery and the automobile
are coming. All these REQUIRE good
roads. With progressive thoroughfares, !
schools would be better attended |
churches and Sunday schools would also
be better patronized. Every man who |
Eauls wood. lumber, fruit and rcge-
tables to market, gua1o, and who goes
anywhere on pleasure can realize that !
gooG roads are not only luxury, but a |
eCessity
The method tc set good roads is to ,
Continued on Page Eleven)