The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-27

cient? Who are more competent to ans
wer this great question than you trained
and experienced teachers, assisted as
you can BE by our Superintendent of
Public Instruction and the presidents and
faculties of the university and the col
leges?
AS one of your number l propose to
contribute my mite to it's solution and
in my opinion it is:
1st. Increased taxation, State and To-
cal, for the public schools.
End. Compulsory attendance on the part
Of pupils.
Ord. The establishment of good acad-
emios, private if possible, public if neces-
sary. in every county-town and in as
many townships as can be induced to
adopt local taxation.
Let us forget our religions denomina-
tions, our political affiliations, and re-
member alone that we arc North CAROLYN
ians by BIRTH or adoption, anxious for the
welfare of our fellow citizens of every race
and color, and determined with Gods
help to remove the stain of ignorance and
its copartner vice. from North Cardinals
escutcEeon.
The Constitutional requirement of
four months school has been met the
past year. The average salary paid your
public school teachers does not amount
to more than thirty dollars per month,
or one hundred and twenty dollars per
scholastic year-less than day laborers
wages. Is there not need for increased
taxation?
The unwilling taxpayer, who is not
a beneficiary OF the public school, should
not be forced to pay taxes for the edu-
cation of his neighbours children and that
neighbor be ALLOWED to keep his children
at home. Proper authority could prevent
by exemption any exceptional cases from
suffering hardship
The towns and cities of sufficient popu-
lation are for the most part establishing
good graded schools. At least one first
class academy should be maintained in
every county town. 1t costs three times
as much to keep a child at a boarding
school as at a home day school. The
boarding school has it's advantages, but
none equal fathers supervision
and a mothers loving influence
for good. 1t would be best for
the educational interests of
county without an academy capable of
preparing boys for college, to establish
an academy al the county seat and en-
ploy the Superintendent of Public Schools
to teach, supplementing his salary If needs
be by an appropriation from the school
fund of the county. All advanced pupils
throughout the county should be allowed
to attend this school free of charge.
Thickly settled townships should es-
establish academies; using the public
funds and allowing all children unable
to pay tuition to attend school the usual
length of the public school term Local
taxation or private subscription should
extend the school term at least four
months. Our colleges are establishing
academies as feeders. This work should
be extended. Far better to educate the
masses and fill your collge halls with
we'll equipped men than with immature
and poorly prepared boys. What field
this could be made for the honest pur-
chase of scholarships, the free gift of
which tends to degrade the manhood of
our youth. Let the university and the
colleges agree with the men who give
their notes for tuition that credit will
be given on those notes for a reason
able sum in addition to the salary paid
per month for teaching in the public
schools Why should these young men
not rejoice at the opportunity of paying
their Alma Mater" on such easy terms
and at the same time be instrumental
in doing So much good?
How mank of these young men feel the
obligation resting upon them TO pay these
notes?
So intimate is the connection between
the academy and the public school sys-
tom that it would be of great advantage
to the State if our Legislature at the
expiration of the present contract would
allow the teachers voice in selecting