The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-02-26


son Why Scotland Neck should not do
as we'll.
Mr.. Stuart Smith next spoke. He said
be. had little to say for graded schools or
electric lights but wished to read some
statistics for lights. He said all mu-
inequalities sooner or later had to con.
slider the question OF public improve
ments. This point has been reached
in Scotland Neck. He read statistics
from the town OF Wilson showing the
advantage of electric lights, and ike
wise statistics from Kinston, showing
that electric lights in those towns have
been a paying investment at the rate
of per cent.
Mr.. 0. K. Tay lor spoke for graded
schools but against electric lights. He
said he had secured figures from Will
son also and that he could not get out
of the estimates just what Mr.. Smith
had gotten. Said Mr.. Taylor: IF
electric light plants are such paying
in vestments why do not the moneyed
men here put in plant? The town
was not asked to take stock when a
telephone exchange was established
here. The town was not asked to take
stock in a bank. Under a guarantee
of such rates of profit IS have been
given here private capital would be
subscribed for an electric light plant
in day.. Mr.. Taylor said he was
fully in accord for graded school, for
he thought it great thing; but he
was afraid of bonds for electric lights.
1t was supposed that MIR. Taylor was
speaking for the opposition until be
closed in sentence declaring in favor
of graded schools. Mr.. w. A. Dunn
who led the opposition to bonds
thought that as Mr.. Taylor had spoken
on both sides, his time ought not to
count either way. 1t was finally
counted against the opposition, how
ever, some one making the point that
he spoke ten minutes against electric
lights and one minute for graded
! schools.
Mr.. w. H. White In sentence or
two said he was opposed to towns own
ingssbank stock and tie like, and on
that ground he would answer Mr.. Tay-
lor as. to the electric light plant.
Mr.. w. II. Josey spoke briefly, say
ing that be had information from the
tariff association to the effect that il
the electric light plant was not kept IN
very good order the rate Of insuran &C
where the lights are used would be in
creased at least Is per cent.
Mr.. A. P. Kltchin then spoke FOL
the bond Issue. He said he looked
out upon a laboring people and that
there we're not many rich people here
to be affected at all. He denied that
the issuing of bonds would raise house
rent to any appreclable amount. He
spoke in conciliatory strain and said be
was not out of humor with any one
because there was opposition to h'E
views. He said be had data from thlr.
ty-five graded schools showing much
in their favor. The whole State, hs
ldeclared, is on an upward tendency II
education. He said that the Opposl
ton plead that We are not ready To-
graded schools, but we are ready. til
said some figures quoted are mislead
ing. He spoke with earnestness OF th'
industries heretofore established In the
town by the united efforts OF the pee
pie, and pointing towards the Scotland
Neck Cotton Mills, be declared that
had been the most helpful enterpris
the town has had. All graded schools il
the State, he said, are good and have
in the main succeeded we'll. The prln
!, ciple of educating by local taxation j
right.
Mr.. ". A. Dunn spoke for the or
ros1tion. He referred to the figure
he gave in an address ten days ago o.
the subject and said the advocates c
bonds had bad ample time III which t
answer but had not done GO. lie CAV
practically the same figures he gave
, his address ten days before and declare
that thew were not overdrawn. His e.
innate that with State and county Ia
together with the town tax as resu
OF an issue of bonds, the rate OF tax
ton in Scotland Neck would be "
on the 500 worth of property and po
tax S7.14. Mr.. Dunn argued that to
taxation would be burdensone an
that issuing of bonds would Tx 1t
:. the people for long time.
Il AS to the graded schools, he SAID To
" the children of the very poor wou
:, not realize any benefit, Tor their r
" rents need their labor to help make
livelihood for the family. he ga
" r,any of the children do not go to II
.,hoola now .,ecause thew are *