The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1907-01-24
WEST DESIRES NO CHANGE.
Henderson County Man Puts Him
self on Record Against Stat
Proposition to Change Pres
ent System Of Electing
Certain Officers.
News and observer.)

I News and Observer
To the Editor: The attitude of the re-
nublican contingent in the present ses-
sion of the general assembly, judging
from the number of bills they have in
troduced containing the same ear-msrks
indicates that they are fearfully disturb
cd on account of the election of justices
Of the peace and members of county ed
ucational boards by the Legislature, but
it is hoped that our Democratic Repre-
sentatiyes will not be disturbed. The /
bvpocrltical appeal for focal self gov
ernment," as the radical machine Is
nleased to call it, is only wall from the |
same source from which eminated SLAM
derous charges against North CarOlina's
splendid educational system and the
eminent director of the same during the
last campaign. In that malicious and
unjust attack the head of the Republi-
can organization in the State placed
himself and his party in direct opposl-
ton TO the wise aud progressive policies
which have crowned the efforts OF sup
erfntendent Joyner with such sigr2l sue
cess. This alone shows that change
would be unWise, for about twenty
counties in the sLaLe could then be coun-
ted ueOn to elect as members OF their
educational boards men whose actions
would be controlled either from Green's
horo or Washington, instead OF work.
ing in harmony with the administers
tion in the State. The present admira-
BILE system is making wonderful progress
and there is no demand for q change,
especially in my section OF the State.
Better let we'll enough alone.
The control of the public school sys-
tenn is now about all the Democrats in
several counties in the West have left
and the taking away Of that privilege
would be great disappointment to
them. Under their control great strides
have been made along educational lines
and their work is in direct accord with
that of the general system outlined by
the State Board of Education, condi-
ton very necessary to obtain the best re-
suits. The proposed change would Gre
ate no little trouble and dissatisfaction
In a number of the western counties po-
liticaly, besides placing thesupervision
of our school affairs in charge OF indtf-
ferent and incompetent men such as we
were afflicted with in 1895 to 1899.
The piteous appeal for ''local self gov
ernment" comes with poor grace from
the Republicans. Do they essay to be-
lieve that the people have forgotten
their performances in the legislature ir
1895 and 1897. At the first session o
the fusion Legislature three magistrate
were appointed for each township in tn
State; county boards of education wer
put out of business aud county superin
tsndents went the same route; the ofic
of County examiner was created an
provision made for his selection b
Clerks of the Superior Court. Two yea
later they created the ''boards OF direc
tors" to take the place of the tormt
boards of education and authorized tf
election of members to fill these plac
by county commissioners Under the
direction the public school system
many counties "went to seed" and y
they have the unmitigsted cheek to al
democratic legislature for return
former conditions. God forbid.
They worked the 'tlOcal self COVER
ment" racket in my county, Henderso
over time during the last campaig
Result: The republican representatl
from that county comes to the leelsl
latufe this time with eighty one ma]o
ty less than be received two years aE
Our people stood by the east Tor ma
long years IN preventing negro dOmlr
tion; now we confidently hope to ha
the favor returned in permitting t
General Assembly 10 elect our mag
trates and members OF the boards Ot
ucation. The West is satisfied W
present conditions in this regard and
people sincerely hope there may be
charge.
Yours very truly,
M. L. SHIPMAN