The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-15
M0RkY FOR THE SCHOOLS.
MT McCullock Comm. nts On Letter From 81 p
$1,000 of Public Instruction. 800.


10 the Editor: The letter published in
your Issue of the eth instant from the
SUPERINTENDENT of Public Instruction, in
forming the County Superintendent,
county Boards OF Education, and the
puphc generally that the second hum
dred thousand dollars appropriated for
lour months public school term is
neither in hand nor in sight, comes
IKE clap of thunder in a clear sky,
and places hundreds of people in the
state between "the devil and the deep
blue sea" The committeeman have con-
tracted with the teachers for four
months term and in many instances in
inns sectloh the full term has been
taush' Out ana in others nearly so, all
vi them having now run over the time for
Which thefe Is money in the county treas
uiy " p"y theh NOW, the question
arises. VINO Is responsible for this mud
die, and what are We going to do about
it? The Democratic party solemnly and
strenuouSly proclaimed from every hill
top all over the State only few short
months ago that there should be given
four months term in every school dis
trict in the State. and according to the
reports of the most prominent newspa-
pers this fight was taken up and press
ed by the State Board of Education. and
the people were guaranteed by every
promise and pledge that they should have
a full free four months term. Each legis-
lative candidate and some of us that
were not candidates, plead with the peo-
pie to stand by the party that was edu-
eating and going to continue to educate
their children. We pointed with special
pride to our four months terms last year,
and solemnly avoWed that we had only
Just commenced in the good work. Two
wears ago when we were in the throes of
the greatest political battle ever fought
in the State when our blood was at
boiling heat, and when good men, men
that had been true to the Democratic
party in every contest that had stood
by her platforms. and upheld her banner
when these men, many of them illiterate
and poor, but brave and true. began to
falter and hesitate because they feared
the educational qualifications that we
proposed TO adopt,-feared that its adop-
tion would mean the dSfranchsement of
their children, We allayed their fears by
solemnly assuring them that we would
provide four months free school term
in every district in the State, and that
every poor, illiterate boy should have
ample opportunities to learn to read and
write before 1908.
With this assurance coming from the
great Democratic party, whose record for
truth and honesty has never been ques-
toned, and with the double assurance of
the State Administration, is it not ma
tural that the County Boards of Educa-
ton the school committeeman, and the
teachers should have the utmost conf
denee that the second hundred thousand
dollars appropriation should be realized?
And especially is this true when the
matter has been allowed to run until
this late date before there come a note
of warning from the State authorities.
Can it be possible that this information
could not have been furnished aa easily
thirty days ago as now and have saved
numbers of people from being placed in
this embarrassing position?
Is it possible that the Democratic party
is going to forfeit its pledges made to
the people in the last two campaigns
because there does not happen to be the
necessary amount of money in the treas
and to- perform all that we promise to the
people is of far more Importance than
temporarily empty treasury. If l remem-
Der correctly we faced this same condi-
ton of affairs a year ago, but our very
efficient treasurer. with the aid and as
sistance of the administration, procured
loan that tided us over this trouble and
enabled us to fulfil our pledges. Why
can not this plan. or some other equally
as eXpedient, be again adopted. or If
necessary, appeal to the Legislature to
save the honor and integrity of the
Democratic party? The issuing OF bonds
or borrowing the money rs preferable to
FORGETTING our integrity. The promises
were made and accepted by the people in
good faith, and it has always been the
history of government that when party
fails to meet it's obligations to the peo-
pie, it's tenure of life is short.
Some of the State institutions are ask
ing the Legislature for extra appropria
tons. l would not be understood as OPP
posing any appropriation that is needed
by the higher institutions of learning
when the financial condition of the State
is sucn that the appropriation can be
made.
would be glad that each State institu-
| ton could be fully equipped to meet all
| demands of the times. but until we can
| lift the dark veil of illiteracy from the
rural districts of North Carolina. and
prepare the little ignorant boys for the
duties of life by teaching them to read
| and write. thus fulfilling our pledges
made 20 their fathers. it would be we'll
L
and electrical apparatus rest.
E. F. McCULLOCH.
White Oak N. c.. Feb. TO- 1903.