The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-09

to appear to the court that in connection
with our disfranchisement of the negro
we had taken pains for providing to keep
him in ignorance than both amendments
would fall together. The amendment pro-
posed is unjust, unwise, and unconstitu-
tional. 1t would wrong both races,
would bring our State into the con-
demnaton of a just public opinion else
where, and would mark us as people
who have turned backwards. The State
of North Carolina has heretofore en-
joyed the distinction of being first in
these things which look to larger lib
erty and consequent higher develop
ment of her people. Let us not seek to
be the first State in the Union to make
the weak men helpless. This would be a
leadership which could bring us no honor,
but much shame I earnestly hope that
no effort will be made to secure the adop-
tion of the proposed amendment. Let US
be done with this question for while we
discuss it the white children of the State
are growing up in ignorance. To secure
the education of all our people is great
task and we have no time to waste in
discussing impossible changes in our Con-
stitution. When it is finally admitted.
as it must be, that such an amendment
cannot stand before the courts We will
have gone long way towards solving
our educational problems. In my judg-
ment our Constitution does not contem-
plate a division of the school fund per
capita, but it is required that equal facil-
tiles shall be accorded both races. With
in the limits of this Interpretation both
races can be reasonably educated with
out excessive cost to the white people,
and within this provision we are in no
danger Of having our educational system
upset by decree Of the courts. Educa-
ton is matter belonging to the States
and the funds raised for it are raised
by the States and until it appears affirm
atively and clearly that one race or the
other is denied the equal protection OF
the law the courts will never interfere
with the conduct OF our schools. II
there are districts in the State in which
school terms for the negro exceed those
for the white, this comes about by I'M
wise local arrangements. This can and
must be remedied. Care should be taken
by those charged with. the execution of
the law to provide equal facilities for the
white race as we'll as for the colored
race and if any legislation is needed to
secure this end your Honorable Body will
have no difficulty in framing It, The
interest in the cause Of education in the
State has greatly increased and we now
have promise of realizing the highest
dreams of our fathers. The last Gen
eral Assembly made provision to secure
a four months term of public school in
each school district in the State. We
should not stop here. There should be
a constant effort to go further. Local
taxation should be encouraged Public
opinion should be made strong enough
to compel the attendance of the children
upon the schools. The salary OF the
superintendent of Public Instruction is
inadequate. Education is today the chief
concern of our people and the salary of
the officer having charge Of the educa
tional interests ought to be made COM
mensurate with the Importance Of his
work AS long as we treat the office of
Superintendent of Public instruction as
the least important office in the State,
educa tional interest will suffer. l want
to see the day come, and come speedily,
when no office in the State will be re-
garded as of higher Importance than
the office of superintendent Of Public In
struction.