The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-14


lima. Prior to the great war this Stat
led all Southern States IN the impor,
ant matter of having free schools 70
white children. Thus far from 1874 L
the present year, the effort to educate
the negroes in our State has cost nearly
five and a half million dollars, OF whici
sum over 30 per cent. was paid by til
white tax payers. The negroes paid Sill
1926 in 1900. and received SIP, 0T2. 81 TO
schooling more than they paid. In 1906
there were 6 per cent of illiterateS in tn
cities of the United States with $500
II habitants and more. In the remainde
OF the country there were 1924 voter
who were illiterates, or Is per cent 0,
the whole 15,248.e $50 of voting age. Among
the native white the differences betweel
the population Of large cities in tn,
North and the South in the matter 0
iilteracy are comparatively slight, but
III The smaller cities and rural district
OF the South considerable per cent. 0
the adult population have not acquired
the elements OF book educa ton.
There Is Il growing impression through
cut the South, and extending in th
North to a very considerable degree, tina
thus far the education of the ncgros OF
the attempt to educate that race, is
positive failure. Mr.. Joel Chandler Har
rs, the clever Georgian journalist anC
author, in a recent article in the Sat
urday Evening Post takes an optimisti
view Of the negro, and thinks that edu
cation has done great things for the ne
gro, and that he is on the high road
prosperity. But other able Southron
take a very different view. 1t is bel
b. many that the race has really declined
and sinks deeper and deeper with til
years into abysnal depths. Governor
X Vardaman, Of Mississippi, in his il
aueural address before the Legislature
On 18th January last, gave as his Vie
that education had injured the negr
race. had really proved something of
curse. lie stated well known fact tina
crimes had very greatly increased anon
then. He pointed out also that the grow
ing tendency among q considerable elias
TO assault unprotected white women wa
a clear manifestation of distinct racia
desire TO find social equality. He gave
some statistics that are probably correct
as to education and crime among the
negroes. 1 had seen them several times
before he used them. l make quotation
from him, believing the statements cor
rect or approximately so. He said:
''As a race he is deteriorating morally
every day Time has demonstrated that
he is more criminal as a free man than
as a slave, that he Is increasing in
eriminality with frightful rapidity, being
one-third more criminal in 1890, than in
$780,
The startling facts revealed by the
census show that those who can read and
write are more criminal than the illit-
crates, which is true Of no other element
of our population. I am advised that
the minimum illiteracy among the negroes
is found in New England where it is 21.7
per cent. The maximum was found in
the black belt-Louisiana, Mississippi and
South Carolina-where it is $751; per cent.
And yet the negro in New England is
four and one-half times more criminal,
hundred for hundred, than he is in the
black belt. In the South, Mississippi
particularly. L know he is growing worse
every year.
But l do not dwell here Legislation
has much to do in order to protect So
ciety as well as to give primary educa-
ton to the negroes, if public opinion
shall continue favorable to efforts in
that direction. Fortunately, there are
great numbers of good citizens and in
dustrial workers among the negroes, and
the criminal and vagrant classes do not
number more than half of the whole, if
so many.
The educational movement for the mass
es began under the late Rev. Dr. Calvin
T. Wiley as far back as about 1915 or
1886 From that day the now intelli-
70 hoV inf
ested in this question of very genuine
Importance. In recent years there has
been some campaigning by speakers in
behalf of popular education. A fresh i'm
petus has been growing, and much has
been done in behalf of education in the
lower and higher grades. There are news
papers that never hold up on this ques-
ticn. so pregnant with benefit if wisely
directed.
The common school law should be made
as good as possible for it to become
thoroughly successful. If necessary
there should be an amending, even a re-
vision. One important point is the selec-
tion Of the right books for the schools.
NisC, discreet lawmakers should take
time to carefully examine the law, and
compare it with similar laws in other
States. Many school books of doubtful
character have been used aforetime, and
some of disgraceful type. A wise, safe.
sound law as to books and how to select
them should be made. 1t is the duty of
the State 10 see that the electorate shall
be taught to read and write. But do not
burden parents with needless or extrava-
CANT purchase of books. Do not compel
them to buy useless books or improper
books. Give the children, the youth
ample opportunities to acquire a primary
education, if higher kind is not avail
able to them. The real aim should be
the very best books at the lowest posi-
Bile prices. Prices on all books that are
too high should be reduced. Prior 10
1855. the Board of Education e'ected the
books. Doubtless they made mistakes
] know that some Northern histories
when dealing with the North's inhuman
war upon the South, have greatly erred,
mircpresented the facts and dome despite
10 the spirit of truth and Justice. The
Fusion gang in 1895 upset the old sys-
ton, louo fried and we'll pstahiisnad and