The farmer and mechanic., 1911-12-19
Much Interest in
the Bright Leaf
CONTINUED from Page Three

held after a vigorous campaign, and
| lost by a small majority Of one hun
| dred and thirty-three on large reg
istration. OF the votes actually cast
| in the election, about three 10 one
were cast in favor Of the Farm Life
School. We are Informed that there
/ is more interest than ever before in
Castor county in the Farm Life
School, and that it is practically GER
tain that another election Will be de-
manded and held in the near future
with every prospect Of winning.
| In three other counties elections
| for Farm Life Schools were prema-
| turely called, and failed to secure q
ma ajority Of the registered voters be-
cause Of lack Of time for informing
the people about the proposition and
| awakening active interest through an
organized and systematic campaign.
There is no reason to be discouraged
by the failures in these counties. IN
creased assessment of property this
summer, and the disastrous drop in
the price of cotton made the time and
the opportunity unfavorable for ear
rying an election upon a new PROPOSE
ton like the Farm Life School in
vOlVing a bond issue and a special tax
without time to reach the tax payers
and thoroughly inform them as to the
necessity and benefits of the school.
where the elections failed, has not
been lost, and we have no doubt that
the seed soWn will yet bear fruit. The
principle for which We are fighting iS
right. The need for such education
as can be given to the masses of the
country boys and girls only through
some such agency as the county Farm
Life School, is SO great that the peo-
pie can be, and will be convinced and
converted, if we Will patiently and
pcrSlStently carry on wise systematic
campaign Of education for placing
facts and the information before them.
These elections should not be prema-
turely called by few enthusiastic
a bond issue and a special tax will
advocates Any proposition involving
have some opposition, and an election
upon It can be carried only by active
efforts and organized work. The cleo
tons should be called only in coun-
ties where the conditions, after in
vestig cation, seem favorable. and only
after enlightenment Of public opin-
Ion in the county upon the subject.
Recommendations.
We beg to recommend: 1)-That
the campaign for the Farm Life
School, the Improvement of the ele-
mentary schools, and the agricultural
instruction in the elementary schools
be vigorously pushed.
(2)-That in the campaign for the
Farm Life Schools a few counties be
selected. one at a time. in which the
condition after investigation, seems
favorable, and the need great, and
that our efforts and forces be concen-
trated on one at a time, and a thor
ough organization and a thorough
campaign of education for the dis
semina ton Of information among the
people be inaugurated and vigorously
carried on through the local union, the
local press, bulletins, circular letters
and speakers, concluding with order
ing the election when the time and
public sentiment seem ripe, and clos
ing with p whirlWind campaign just
before this. OF course, such concen-
tratlon upon one county at time
would not interfere with the continu-
once Of general campaign for the
cultivation of public sentiment for
EARN Life Schools, and agricultural
education in the State at large.
(3)-That the Education Commit
tee be authorized to act also as d
Farm Life School Campaign Commit
tee Of which the president Of the
Farmers Union shall be ex-officio
chairman. cooperating with the State
and county departments of educa ton
in the direction of the campaign work
for these schools, and in the prepara-
ton or systematic plans therefor.
t4l-Ih9t the Farmers Union
strongly recommends an increase in
the State appropriations for elemen-
tary schools by the next General AS
sembly sufficient to provide a mimi
mum school term of at least five
months, and if possible. six months in
every school district of the State, and
further recommend an increase in the
salaries Of elementary public school
teachers.
Respectfully submitted.
tSigned)
EGERTON, of Franklin
SHAW, of Duplin.