The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1910-10-27
WEE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLI.
CAN RECORDS CONTRASTED.


we various questions in regard to
certain political questions, some OF
which l answer privately and some
hRough the columns of the Union Re
Dabiican.
Here is one: 1--WE have a few vot-
~ns In Davidson County who don't
ReaAize the fact that we had public
aeaools before Gov. Aycock; would
s1ggest that you give us brief his
gsery OF their origin. dates, ETC."
Ehis is a question of such general
Importance that / will answer Ii
xArsugh the columns Of the Union
Republican.
xfsae Democratic Record Before and
After the War.
We had a few free schools before
ahe war that were a disgrace to the
nhme of schools. The houses were
hog huts and the seats were slabs
with holes bored in them for legs,
Ind the windows simply a log cut out
an one side, In most instances, but
Vu6e and crude as these houses were,
they were few and far between, and
Gse schools, if taught at all, were
% sach a nature that TO be a free
echool scholar was a badge Of dis
grace.
Ths word free school was not in
ssUr Constitution before the war.
There was absolutely no provision
YsOr them in that instrument.
This was the Democratic record on
7Sse free school question before the
Enr. When the war was over the
Democrats framed a new Constitu-
koH in 1865 and this, I think, con-
t<aeRsd 40 provision for free schools,
-AuS the people rejected this Consti-
aution. which necessitated the Consti-
Sution OF 1868, the one We now have.
Eae Republicans Established the
Free School System.
This Constitution was passed by
The Republicans and SO fixed were
they on the free school idea that they
pat two solid pages on the subject of
Tsee schools in this instrument. They
vent so far as to provide the ma
1hinery for their establishment. They
made it compulsory on the county
1nonths' school in every district and
made it indictable for them not to do
It. will quote the first three sec
Hons of the Constitution on Educa-
ff8on, which is as follows:
Section /. Religion, morality and
knowledge being necessary to good
government and happiness of man
kand. schools and the means of edu-
cation shall forever be encouraged.
See. 2. The General Assembly at
1As FIRST session under this Constitu-
Non shall provide by taxation and
eth rwise for a general and uniform
ssystem Of public schools. wherein tu-
3tlon shall be free of charge to ali
sns children of the State between the
ages Of six and twenty-one years
sAaa the children of the white race
SEa8d the children of the colored race
shall be taught in separate public
schools, but there shall be no dis
oyfRfination in favor of, or to the
prejudice of. either race.
Sec 3. Each county of the State
saafl be divided into a convenien
auaber of districts. in which one d
wore public schools shall be main
>7s1asa at least four months in ever.
year: and if the commissioners O
Any sounty shall fail to comply wit
aha aforesaid requirements of thi
sssstion, they shall be liable to indict
msRt.'
The Republicans had only one Leg
isaature after the adoption of thi
CONSTITUTION, that of 1868. They 8
ssase provided for the laying out {
school districts and creating the m;
sainery for the schools.
sEres Schools Suffer Under Democrat
Control.
before all this could be adopte
aAd the districts laid out, the hous
aui1t, etc., the Democrats capture
The Legislature and impeached Go
xzoF Holden in 1870, and proceed,
- Serget that there was such THU
~ four months school command
~ HE Constitution.
8sSYasiIcaDs AGAIN tut Lille IN
Public Schools.
A 1894 and 1Ss6fthe Republican
~ish the aid of the Populists, CARR
he State. and they at once began
build up the free school system. T
Legislature of 1897 increased the
aaYy for free schools from 16 to
cents on the hundred dollars wol
ed property. They passed a law
encourage local taxation for f
schools, making provision that
every dollar in special taxes the p
PIE of any school district would "
On themselves the State would |
the same tosthat district. They pa