The news & observer., 1905-12-14


ings of the churches and public
schools have effected the reform.
There is not now 2 diStillery in the
county. where few years ago a per-
son could have secured Illicit whiskey
at almost anv place. The educational
advocates have not lost an election,
and it is probable that before another
year every district in the county will
be a local tax district
Stunt. r. r. Williams, of Catawba,
said the school condition in his county
is distinctly a condition of develop
ment, but when compared with the
conditions OF ten years ago the con-
dition is quite gratifying. The schools
are more modern and convenient; the
personnel Of the teachers is better,
as they are making teaching profess
sion: and the interest of the people
is splendid. The most serious trouble
he asserted. is in the factory locali-
ties. where the parents are adverse to
schools and children do not attend.
During the past year nine new schools
were built; five special tax districts
we're established, and three rural Ii
braries instituted There is a live
teachers association and hold interest
inc township meetings. He said the
county's greatest need fs consolidation
of districts
Supt r. p Johnson. of Chatham
said in his county there are many
school houses small and uncomfOrt-
able, and this discourages the people.
where the houses are large and mod
ern the people take treat interest in
schools Owing to the low salaries of
teachers the standard of scholarship
is not the highest. Local taxation and
consolidation of districts are taking
gradual hold on the county. There
was a marked advance IN educational
matters during the past year. with
several new school houses. and an
other rural library. making the total
number 13. The greatest need, he
said is mora school funds. and fewer
school districts.
Supt. c. A. Anderson, of Caswell,
reported a school year of great pro-
gress, and the county he said, is in
touch with the progressive educational
spirit of the State. The first institute
was held this year for the first time IN
16 years During this year the value
of school property has increased flVe
per cent. The teachers are putting
forth their best endeavors, and the
people are interested in the rural IL
braries and establishment of local tax
districts There has been more pro-
gress in Caswell during the past year
than since the war.
Supt. c. w. assey, of Durham, re-
rorted an excellent year. with a fine
school equipment. The average salary
is $50 for white teachers, and $40 for
colored. The consolidation of districts
is over and the new local tax dis
tricts will greatly benefit the Schools
The county appreciates the great value
of the rural libraries, and these are
open during the entire year, and the
demand for books is greater than ever
before. The county has good teachers
thoroughly organized there are teach
ers rallies, and the peo@le are kept
talking about and interested in the
schools. It's superintendent thinks
about. talks of. and works for the
county schools.
Supt F. S. Wilkinson, of Edge
combe said the districts of the county
cannot be consolidated further until
there are better roads. and other rural
improvem and the attempts that
have been made were failures. his
county's schools, he said, needed betr
ter brains more than better school
houses, and the culture, the learning
and refinement of the teachers in his
county today are below the average
of eight years ago. The county is
wealthy, growing rich, and he said the
solution to the school problem is TO
pay better salaries and get better
teachers. There are 70 libraries in the
county. one in every district
Supt. w. B. Spears, of forsyth,
said school houses in Forsyth are in
good condition. the last log cabin mas
been tern down and the teaching force
is splendid, but the teachers are most
ly women, as the men are quitting the
profession in Forsyth. There are
three local tax districts and fifty
seven rural libraries. Six new houses
were built this year and two districts
voted local tax this year. Two more dls-
tricts will vote on local tax early IN
1906. A teachers institute was very
helpful.
Supt. 3. r. Falls, Of Cleveland. said
the most serious problem in his county
is underpaid teachers and there is no
special inducement to first-class teach
ers A large amount of money was
raised by private subscription, and
recoqnizing the need for funds, local
taxation election has been called, ana
will be carried next Saturday, as
there is no opposition. Several new
houses were built and plans are now
under way for the erection OF a new
buildin~ to cost more than $IO,UVo.
The teachers association has done
great good and the assistance of the
county press was eminentlv product
i've of rood.
Supt F. r. Wooten. of Columbus,
said 8 per cent. of the children are IL
literate in his county. Over $1,000 has
been spent in new schools, and the
number of teachers in rural schools
has been increased from one to two.
Six districts were carried for local
tax this year another election mas
been ordered, and there is another pc
tition: four rural libraries were estab-
Iished. An average of $32 per month
is paid white teachers, and $25 to
colored. The county. because OF
swamps. is not yet ready for CONSOLE
dation, but with the use of convlcts
in building roads will, in the next few
years, result in the reduction or the
number of districts from 80 10 80.
The county is short on teachers, but
in everv local tax district there are
college trained teachers.
Supt s. M. Brinson, of Craven, re-
ported his countys educational con-
ditions as being splendid. with fine
progress during the past year. Ihere
were two local tax elections carried.
one of them at Dover, being carried
unanimously; there were TWO other
elections which failed, but these VIII
probably be carried next year Four
new houses were constructed. me
L.. gE