The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-01-25
mir. Hooker on the schools.


Our free school system, or the
lack of system, or maybe too much
system. however. the failure to pro-
vide a reasonable school term in both
length and kind is the cause OF this
criticism of our schools just now.
While all the schools and colleges
that have their origin and mainten-
ance through and by the taxation OF
the people have prospered most won
derfuIly, and while the wealth OF the
State has increased 25 per cent In
the last ten years, the free schools
stay the same. Ninety per cent OF
the people that create this wealth
are patrons OF the common schools
and have no other means OF educat-
ing their children, yet by the creator
of this system they are not consider
ed Of sufficient Importance TO share
in this increased prosperity OF the
State Mr.. Coon says that 1t is a patch
work system; | hardly think so, for
as my mother used to use patches
they were applied TO the garment in
its most needy parts. Ii Is not so
with Mr.. Joyner's school system. 1t
puts each patch of good cloth where
the garment is the best, or worst
still, he gives the patch TO the boy
that already has good clothes while
the little fellow with ragged breeches
(often times no fault OF his) is left
without protection. Our Democratic
party can never point with pride TO
it's legislation in the interest OF the
people as long as the present ar
rangements continues. | fail TO see
how a more unjust set could be de-
vised. As it now stands the patrons
share OF the common school fund
come In and take further OF the lit
tie fellows already depleted ward
robe. Mr.. Poe says that We have
101 days elementary schools. only
two States below US. while the aver
age of the United States is 155 days.
IL that be true. we have nothing. as
he says, to be proud Of except the op-
portunity to improve. But have we
1G1 days. The schools around me
have only so days. Are they not an
average? Where do the other 81
days come from. and who gets them?
VIII somebody please tell Us! Are
they the result OF the combined help
from the State Treasury. and what
is taken from the common school
fund in the counties whre these dis
trict high schools are located. The
common school fund was raised for
common school purposes. The tai In
levied and collected for that specific
purpose To change that money In
to any other channel other than the
education of ali the people can be
termed nothing less than absolute
theft sanctioned by Law. The farm
life schools seem TO have met With
but little success % far. and may IL
ever be So For a county to spend N
much In equipment and maintenance
OF one farm-life school tes train fifty
boys and girls as it does In It's whole
free school system To train 1000 boys
and girls reminds us so very much
OF the tail wagging the dog Craven
County I don't believe intended TO do
that. but they were told OF the great
good that would come TO them
through q farm-life school. and that
there was only few to be given out
to the largest counties. and that II
was. necessary TO vote quick and avoid
the rush. and also the failure on the
part Of the people 20 investigate It's
real worth accounts for Its adoption.
However. there are still nine left. and