The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-23
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING.
Action Of L. Banks Holt in Closing Mills and
Urging Operatives to Attend school Rally.


Superintendent Joyner was back in his
office yesterday. He leaves today for
Richmond, to attend the Southern Edu
cation Conference, which he thinks bids
fair to be very largely attended meet
ing of leading educators and others in
terested in educational matters in the
South.
Prof Joyner was with the Governor
in Alamanee county on Wednesday and
Thursday Of last week, and spoke with
him at Graham, Hawflelds and Mebane.
At all of these points the question of
local tax will be voted on in May.
Last Friday night superintendent JOY
rer spoke in Mt. Airy. There they are
goin to vote on an increase in the local
tax of from 25c to SO 1-3c on the 800.
On Saturday he spoke at Dobson to a
large and representative crowd from all
over the county. A large number of
teachers, school committeeman and 9TH
ers were present. They had the band
from El6in and had good time gener-
ally Dobson has a large school, with
125 pupils, and they were all out in a
body. In the afternoon there was a
game of baseball.
The most significant thing" said Su
perintendent Joyner, that l have seen
in the State in some time is the action
of Mr.. l.. Banks Holt of Graham, In
closing down his mills and issuing a
circular letter to all his operatives urg
ing them to attend the educational meet
ing and to vote for better school facili-
ties for the better education of their
children"
1T was a splendid example for the
other manufacturers of North Carolina
and was, l believe. an indication of
new order of things among the cotton
mill people of the State. l know that
number of these men are much inter
ested in the education of their employees
and | believe that under the leadership
of these public spirited mill owners like
Mr. Holt there will be great Improvement
in the near future in the educational ia
cilties for the factory people and in the
attitude of these people toward educa-
ton. We are fortunate in that most Of
the cotton mills of the State are owned
by native North Catrolinians whose pa
triotism and sympathy with their people
WILL l believe, cause them to respond
heartily to the educational needs of these
people and cooperate in providing means
for their education and in encouraging
them to avail themselves Of the means
provided. The following is the circular
issued by Mr.. Holt 1t is the most eff
fective appeal for education from one of
tn great captains of industries that /
have yet seen in the South:
TO THE FAMILIES AND EMPLOYEES
OF ONEIDA COTTON MILLS: HON.
CHAs. B. AYCOCK, GOVERNOR OF
NORTH CAROLINA, AND PROF. j. Y.
JOINER, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUB
Lie INSTRUCTION FOR THE STATE,
AND OTHERS WILL ADDRESS THE
CITIZENS OF THE TOWN AND COM
MUNITY IN THE COURT HOUSE, To-
MORROW, HOO A. M, ON THE SUB
JECT OF EDUCATION AND THE PRO
POSED GRADED SCHOOL FOR THE
TOWN OF GRAHAM.
a. In order that we may all act and
vote intelligently, on this important sub
iect, / deem it wise to shut down the
Oneida Mills entirely the whole of to-
morrow so that everyone in any way con-
rected with the mills especially the
heads of families and voters) may hear
this subject ably discussed and explained
by these noted speakers and friends of
education, who are making such faith |
ful EFFORTS all over the state 10 Improve
the school facilities that for years have
been so inadequate. The work has only
begun as it were, yet many districts are
happy in the realization of better schools
as the result of the untiring efforts of
Governor Aycock and his co-workers |
Realizing the Importance of graded
schools, I will cheerfully do my part
towards their support, although l have
no children to educate; and I am in ia
vor of every undertaking that VIII i'm |
prove our school facilities
Educate your children so that they
may be able to take their places In the
front ranks of our churches, colleges, |
etc Then, and not until them, will the !
Old North State become one Of the most |
honored and cultured in the Union. I
trust that you will all hear these speak |
ers, and after you have heard them, I
am sure you will not be in doubt as to
how you should vote at the coming May |
election