davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-07-30

teachers, the most important one
being at the University.
Many people. did not believe III
public schools supported BY taxa
ton, and many more did not be
lleve in the education of the ne
groes. The first city and town
schools were established under the
provisions of the Dortch law.
which permitted the white people
Of the towns to tax themselves and
their property for the support of
schools for white children. and the
negroes to tax themselves and
their property for the support of
schools for negro children. In the
winter Of 1884 this law was de
Clded to be unconstitutional. MANY
Of the schools which had been
started under its provisions were
discontinued. Others had to be
maintained by popular subscription
and private donation.
There were, however. many men
and women Of influence in the
State who believed in education
for all the children OF all the peo-
pie at the public expense. There
were tar-seelng statesmen who I'M
derstood fully the relation Of edu-
cation to the civic. industrial. so
cial, and spiritual welfare of the
State and its peple. Many OF these
men and women | soon became &c.
quainted with: Vance. Jarvis, Bat.
tie, Winston. Scarborough. Ora.
ham. Bonitz. Mrs. Spencer. \
complete list would be a long one
They never failed to urge upon tl1t
people the importance OF making
every possible sacrifice for the i'm
lproyement of their schools.
! soon became acquainted ais,
with a group Of young men. all still
in their EOS. | believe. whose in
fuence viii live long in the State
and whose anne should never b
forgotten: Page, Aycock. Daniels
N1cIver. Moses, Alderman, Noble
Blair. Joyner. and others. VII,
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-07-30

years Of age, So.S per cent IL
llterate. OF the colored popula-
ton between ten and twenty, zo.2
per cent were illiterate. In that
year the total valuation of all the
public school property OF the State
was only S24S,oI5, and the total
expenditures for all purposes $685.
100. The average length of the
school term was 40 days. and the
average yearly salary of teachers
S52.46.
Superintendent Scarborough
report for 1882 showed an average
school term Of 81 IL days. The
annual salary Of white teachers
was 1886; that of colored teach
ers S62.I8. The total expenditure
for public schools was S5o0.736,
fifteen counties not reporting. Less
than half a dozen towns had grad
ed schools. Probably the most
noted we're the schools of Colds
boro begun in 1881. | believe no
city with graded schools owned the
buildings in which the schools we're
held. The total attendance at the
University for that year was less
than 200, and the attendance at the
UNCONVENTIONAL colleges was small.
The Agricultural and Mechanical
College. the Normal and Industrial
College for Women, and the Agri-
cultural and Mechanical College
for negroes were not in existence.
The total State appropriation for
higher education that year seems
to have been $1,000. Nine univer-
sites and colleges reporting to the
Bureau Of Education possessed
grounds. buildings and apparatus
valued at $4,000; their produc-
tive endOwments amounted tC
S2oo.I2O, and the sum Of their
total incomes for the year was
$47,S74. With the help Of appro-
priations from the Peabody Fund
four or FIVE normal schools were
maintained for negroes, and abou'
as many summer schools for white
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-07-30

last quarter al Il NtlatlEN- #14}Cti
with the spirit of the best oi tie
old civilization. their Eases uarnci
- tbs future With rrophouc NJ
sion, hrcd ~ the eloquenec vt
!. y. Curry, they gave themselves
70 this cause with al the devotion
OF the Crusader. and began
preaching the gospel q pub1>
education with al the enthusiasm
and ier>or OF the missionary. II
summer schools. III teachers in~t,-
tutes, At public meetings at Al
kinds. IN the public press. iii season
and out OF season, they proclaimed
this doctrine with cvcr-incrca>lng
emphasis. Then came the great
campaign conducted bv Alderman
and NclNer as assistant State 81
perintendentS and institute conlne-
tors under the direction Of SUPER
intendent Finger.
One town alter another voted 4
special tax for public schools Il
both races. The College Of \gr,-
cultural and Mechanic hr&s. lie
State Normal and Industrial col
lege. the agricultural and Nechan-
zeal College for Negroes, Nere e.
tablished, and small appropriations
were made ~ the State for 1hc,r
support. Vt first these We're ouiv
meaocr $4,000 or less Il wear Tor
each institution. The country
schools improved gradually. Their
terms were prolonged. courses II
study we're extended. and teachers
were paid better salaries. Business
men began to see the relation i
education to the material develop
e ment; parents began to hope ST.
better things for their children
But no great movement Ike thiS
: can be very rapid. however eager
: for results its promoters may be
: There are always many disappoint-
4 nlents. Many who had looked Tor
c ward with hope TO the opportunity
I, offered BY the election Of Angus,
{ 10, 1907, were greatly disappointed
d when it resulted IN the adoption Of
f f, local tax Of ten cents IN less thar
c a dozen districts in the entire
d State. 1t Is only since the begin
+ ning OF the present century tina
G there has been any rapid proerc>.
: IN the Improvement OF rlra
schools. and the most marked pro.
II gress. including the establishment
e Of rural high schools. has beer
C within the last FIVE or SIX ears.
II The reports for the year ending
lune so, 1910, the last year fo'
II which complete reports are asas,
c able. show that IS per cent OF CHI,
II dren of school age were enrolled II
the public schools. The aycrag'
e length OF school term wa 10.
/ DAYS; the average annual SALARY 0
/ teachers was Sis; the total valu
} Of public school property was S,
lie SO, o6I in the colleges and norma
Sc schools reported TO the Bureau Q
6 Education were enrolled SIS stu
t dents the total value Of the proL
a ertv Of these institutions was 81
y 5000: endowments SI.22Z.o12
c. total annual income SI.4o3.2zc
&c These figures indicate increases j
Il the various items within the thirt
II years ranging from 100 to go
per cent.
so In 1900 the total population tt
i'll wears Of age and over had increase
II to I.346.73, of which only $685.
e, were illiterate, the percentage bein
be 2S.z. In 1890 It was 3s.7 per cent
IS, in 1880, 4S.5 per cent. In 1900 t
le. percentage OF illiteracy IN the Viii
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-07-30

er. It would be very difficult to
calculate the good that has come
TO North Carolina through these
annual educational editions Of a
paper which has through a long
series OF years stood every day in
The year for popular education and
the Improvement of the public
schools. With the greatest pleas
urc do | remember the valiant SER
vice The News and Observer did
Tor education on many occasions in
the Years when this was not the
sureSt road to popular favor.
wish had time to comply more
fully with your request to write
for this edition an article describ-
ing the conditions in North Caro-
lima when | first became acquainted
with the State, and tracing the
steady growth Of the sentiment for
public education and its results
through the thirty years since I
landed IN Goldsboro one very hot
August afternoon in 1882. to be-
GIN work as a teacher in the
graded schools Of that town: for
indeed It IS a story worth telling.
Unfortunately | have Just returned
from an absence OF three weeks and
find my desk piled up with work
demanding immediate attention.
When | came to North Carolina
IL 1882. the State was Just begin
hing to recover from the dreadful
effects Of the war between the
States and the Wasteful and ie-
~structive period Of reconstruction.
The State was still poor and was
only beginning. III its poverty. to
rebuild the public school system on
which it had made such a good be-
ginning before the war. The work
Of Calvin II. Wiley and others is,
OF course, known to all students
OF education in this country. as is
the great work Of the University
of North Carolina and a large
number Of colleges and preparatory
schools in which manv of the mos!
prominent men and women OF this
State and section were educated.
It is the spirit Of the old DAYS
moditled to meet the rev colli-
tio"s and demands vhiS, J.: work
ing 50 effectively for the upbuild
ing Of the schools Of the State to
dav.
\ glance at the figures in tn
Census Report for 1880 and of tn
report of the Superintendent o
Public instruction of North Caro-
lima for 1912 reveals clearl,
the conditions at that time.
In 1880 the total population Q
the State was 1,3oo,75o. OF thi
number .O50,05I we're ten years Q
age and over. and Of this class
463.o75 or 4S.3 per cent were illit
crate. that is, unable to write
3I.5 per cent Of the white popula
ton over ten years Of age were i
literate, and ia per cent of II,
colored population. 1t is signif
cant that the per cent of illiterate
IN the white population betwec
ten and twenty was 81 per cen
30 per cent more than that Of til
White population over twenty-on
Of the male population V twer
ty-one. 23.4 per cent were illitel
ate; Of the female population 80
per cent. One sees here the four
dalton of the charge and plea mac
so effectively a few years later b
Charles D.. McIver. Of the colo
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-07-30

Hon I. 7. CIa~ton, the Commissioner Of Education Of the United States
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06
SWINGING AT TOP OF MAST.

The first turret to fire on this run Is
Just a few feet abaft of the mast on top
of which you are perched. You hear the
same deafening roar. which is slightly
lessened by the greater distance between
YOU and the muzzle OF the gun, and then
experience the queerest OF the queer SEN
sations hitherto noted, for the huge net
work of steel constituting the mast Is
snapped like a whip, and Immediately
YOU picture the possibility of being cata-
pulled into the open sea. These masts
will at times snap or viorate several feet
out of their normal perpendicular plane.
But such violent vibration Is rarely
caused except when broadside or salvo
of all the turret guns is fired.
Finally adapting yourself to these new
conditions, you can more perfectly OBJ
serve the results of the firing. Fixing
YOUR binoculars on the line Of flight OF
the shell. Immediately after the blast OF
discharge, the shell itself may be OBJ
served seemingly floating through the air
with no greater speed than that with
which a football may be passed from the
centre TO the fullback when every one Is
expecting a punt. The mountainous wave
of spray and water rises Immediately
behind the target. and the spent shell
ricochets with astonishing eccentricity'
leaving behind 1t a sound exactly re-
sembling the putting of a locomotive at
tached to an express train disappearing
down a valley at full speed.
One shot Is low and strikes the wooden
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06
NloH7 F,RMo or ,2@ .Gv.9
i Proves Bit Terrifying and Yet Wholly Enjoy.
able To Be at Sea with the Great Forces De-
signed for the Protection of This Country
and to See and Hear Them Embossed,
Even if Only in Mock Warfare.

sanitary conditions obtaining here would
make the proprietors Of some Of our most
fashionable hotels blush with shame.
quiet afternoon permits one TO learn
many interesting little details about tie
customs and expressions current in the
navy. For instance. IL poker chip has
been dropped from the table and you are
looking for il Incidentally. you will need
III you should say that it is on the deck.
not on the floor. Never throw anything
over the side of a ship, and do not unde-
any circumstance lean on the rail, which
on this trip caused the writer no ON
barrassment. as the rail, or ropes repr =
senting it, had been removed when the
ship was cleared for action.
II you should hear a noise from the
bridge sounding like fight between two
bull terriers and an elevated railroad
guard do not report 10 the first officer YoI
meet that some one is being killed, for II
is only the bosuns mate giving what he
intends TO be an order which seems to be
of no importance TO any one but himself.
For artisticaIly combining every dissonar,
sound the human ear has ever had to sur
fer from the average bosun's mate in the
navy can without reservation be called
efficient. with every letter in the word IN
capitals.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06
TARGETS HAVE SUFFERED.

The firing having ceased and the ship
having moved off the range, we note with
the aid of binoculars that the two targets
fired at are nearly shot to pieces. One
turret has scored six hits in six shots,
and the other surely five, and possibly
six. Considering that the interval If
time between the shots Is figured in Sec
onds only. the results of this firing seem
incredible, but demonstrate conclusively
that one superdreadnought of the Florida
type could have successfully bottled up
Cervera's feet in Santiago and leisurely
have sunk each or any of the Spanish
ships that may have attempted to escape.
Awaiting the completion of the first run
Of each ship In the division, we go below
to see what damage may have been done
by this firing. 1t is our inexperlence that
leads US to expect 1t. We find only a
few bits of paint have been shaken from
the decks and bulkheads, but We also
learn that precautions have been taken
TO protect breakables, such as crockery,
lamp shades, etc, from being reduced to
fragments. The shades from the electric
lights have been removed and carefully
packed away. China wash basins have
been placed on top Of the mattress of the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06
HEAVEN AND EARTH SHATTERED

A deathlike silence seems to pervade
the whole ship. After period measured
only by fractional seconds-though IL
seems Observation-Disclosures and earth
seem 10 be rent asunder by the blast OF
the two guns in the turret the be
wildering impressions created by this ter
rifying blast leave you dazed. You had
hoped to follow those first two shots
with your binoculars. but you become
more occupied in trying TO realize just
where you are, and before arriving at
any definite conclusions as to this the
blast is repeated and two more shells are
speeding on their way.
You feel as II some one with great nit
ting mower has struck you violent blow
I'm the pit of the stomach with heavily
padded glove. This but adds to your be-
widerrnent, and the psychological effect
OF the blast begins to assert itself. You
feel diminutive, groveling, and have
desire TO crawl on your hands and knees
to your berth and there give up the hope
OF ever being able properly TO oompre-
bend this energy suddenly released and
become terrible. After the third repeu-
ton of this blast from the guns, mo-
mentary respite before the next turret IS
fired gives you an opportunity, OF which
you are sorely in need, to pull yourself
together.
The firing Of the second turret begins.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06
NOW THE BIG TURRET GUNS.

After few more drills by the turret
crew, most of which have been sought by
the men of the crcws, as the officers seem
quite satisfied with the efficiency already
achieved from the drilling Of the last six
months, the ship is ready for the big
event Of the practice-the firing Of the
Pinch turret guns This is done during
the day. At general quarters the day be-
fore the order compelling every man
aboard ship TO battle and don fresh UNI
derclothng had been read, and soon after
daybreak the anchorage is left and the
division puts to sea.
The procedure and conditions In firing
the big guns are practically the same as
those obtaining In the firing OF the 0-inch
guns. The targets for day firing measure
q by u feet, those used at night having
been 10 by II feet. The repair parties in
the small boats having been sent TO the
tug that Is to tow them. and the ship
towing the target having laid its course
In accordance with orders from the flag
ship, the fleet of targets and ships gets
under way, and tenseness of feel
ing and interest Immediately ASSERTS it.
self in every department, for there is
keen rivalry of the most wholesome sort
between the crews Of the different ships
in a division In their efforts to excel in
craftsmanship.
Steaming in perfectly straight line
and maintaining the required distance
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06
A VICIOUS FLAMING TORCH.

One attempts to observe the muzzle OF
the gun as 1t is fired, and. though not
exactly unsuccessful, the eye seems to be
unable to watch the blast at It's incep-
ton. The discharge itself resembles q
vicious yellow. flaming torch of great d.
mansions, Immediately supplanted by q
balloon-like cloud of sickly, greenish-yel-
low gas which somewhat resembles
smoke, but is Immediately disspated.
Continuing to watch the muzzle OF the
gun, a stream OF fire. more nearly re-
sembling blazing liquid, is seen to be dis
charged a few seconds after the gun Is
fired This is the burning gas that 10
elected from the gun by the blast OF COM
pressed air automatically released when
the breech OF the gun is opened to reload.
Since instituiting this device iarebacks,
as they are commonly called (meaning
the premature explosion OF powder in the
gun while in the process Of loading), have
been practically eliminated as probable
accidents.
Our attention is attracted by ward
room chair floating past the side Of the
ship. We learn upon descending to tho
deck that the chair observed from the
main top had been thrown overheard
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06
The CUT.

Lord Grey de Ruthyn. who Is simple
rancher at Roundup. Musselshell County,
Mont, is so enamoured Of Western life
that 1t is doubtful II ne will ever :eturn
to claim his proud and ancient title
Travelling in Montana" said New
York editor, II met Lord Grey de Ruthyn
when he was Cecil Clifton. He expressed
then a great scorn for your aristocrat or
snob.
Talking about aristocrarc snobs over
a pipe and glass in MusselsheE. the
future Lord Grey de Ruthyn' gave good
laugh and said:
why. the English aristocrat 10 20
ridiculously exclusive that, in shaving. he
will often cut himself
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06
F,s.so. A 5p Gun ABOARD UsS FLORIDA

machine from the men in the lower
handling room, where the ammunition Is
placed on the electric hoists, to the gun
pointer. with his eyes fastened to the rub
Der hood of his sight We take up posi-
ton on the coming tower, Immediately
abaft the forward turret, the guns OF
which are to fire first, having taken the
precaution to place fuzzy bit OF cotton
lightly in the ear. We conclude that not
having been cautioned TO stand on tiptoe'
with mouth open, which seems In unin-
formed circles TO be considered neces-
sary, there naturally is no efficacy in this
precaution. Accordingly, we concentrate
our attention on bracing ourselves on our
feet as firmly as possible. At last the
blast of the whistle. which has been pre-
coded az a three-minute interval by OF
fcer's call on the trumpet, indicates that
we are on the range.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06
THE KINDLY HOSPITALITY.

II Is difficult to ackno Wedge, either In
diyidually or collectively, the many cour-
tesies extended to us by Captain Harles'
Of the marine corps, who made US se
home in his quarters, and the ships sur
geon, DR.. Elliott, who is as gracious as
!. he is handsome; Paymaster Sandiord,
who is always willing TO interrupt MS
never ending activities to offer bit OF
information; Lieutenant Norris, chief en-
gineer, who explains in SUCH an unoer-
standable way the mysteries or his de-
nartment; Lieutenant Evans. who Is az
expert in cordiality as he proved himself
10 be in spotting; Lieutenant Gill, OF the
staff of Admiral Fisk, whose ability 10
steer one through the mazes OF DEPART
mental red tape proved an invaluable as
sistance. But why attempt to specify In
in such limited space the innumerapie
and never ending courtesies extended by
every officer with whom We were snAS-
mates? For It would mean the repeaua
of the entire roster of ships omcers a.
an individual acknowledgment to each
for their courtesises, difficult to describe.
but never to be forgotten.
Our boat is alongside. We start on our
homeward trip fairly bubbling over with
enthusiasm, pride and love of country.
AS our floating home Of the last week
with its pleasant memories drops behind
the horizon we can in our fancy see IN
relief against the sky the outlines of our
ship dissolve into the three words which
may be Justly termed the keynote OF sue
cess of our present day navy, and OF which
the United States ship Florida is an un-
surpassed ple-ENTHUsIASM, EF-
FORT. EFFICIENCY.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06
lhTskloh or TvRRsrr SnoWNe
OPEN BREEcH oF.l2 IN. oVh

pass over reluctantly the picturesque
features of dreadnought in action, as
viewed from another ship. and try TO
busy ourselves with other matters, await
ing the interesting moment when we
shall begin firing. The time Is approach
ing rapidly, now, for we learn from the
reports Of the men reading the COM
pass and range finder (Which are now
quite comprehensive after our several
days of. experienced that, we VIII soon
enter the range.
The crews OF the guns to fire on the
|, first run are In their position. and one
can almost feel the determined state OF
: mind Of every member Of the human
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06

equipped department store. Their meth
DDS and systems of checking an inventory
Of these supplies could be used az models
by the student of scientific management.
There is absolutely no lost motion.
The armory. containing an equipment
Of rifles and revolvers for officers and
crew and three Benet MERCER automatic
rapid-ire guns, is presided over by a
young gunners mate barely out Of his
teens, who can tell you the name. use
and importance Of every one of many
thousand small parts of the numerous
weapons in his care. Efficiency is writ
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06

above the water by perseveringly climb
ing the narrow steel ladders on the in
side of the mast and dashing blindly
through cloud of black smoke pouring
from the huge tunnels. is an experience
which is not altogether commonplace,
though one is amply rewarded by the
marvellous view to be had of the ship
beneath you, which from such height
resembles a perfectly executed geomet-
rical figure. Thoroughly absorbed In the
new surroundings and the genial compan-
ionship of the officer detailed as snotter
and his assistants, the time intervening
between runs passes very quickly. We
are again entering the range for our Sec
ond run. The usual signals are given,
the firing begins
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06

speed, we observe the Delaware astern
OF us. steering from her course TO enter
the range. Every one is hoping that the
Delaware will equal her splendid record
In previous practices. for then, II our
ship succeeds in doing better, something
really worth while will have been ac-
complished. This sportsmanlike spirit OF
officers and crew adds to our pleasure.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06

superstructure Of the target raft The
damage done to the target by the flying
splinters Is almost unbelievable. The
screen, made OF heavy canvas, Is torn to
ribbons. and one then realizes why all
wooden superstructure or top hamper IL
removed from a ship when she is cleared
for action.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06

and you notice that the nausea created ty
the seeming blow from the first blast is
decreased, though you still have difficulty
in keeping your binoculars from gyrating
between your eyes and your mouth. In
stinctively. you have acquired a more
perfect muscular control of your body,
and the terrifying, unpleasant effect is
gradually lessened.