The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-07-06

PRESS Convention at MOntrcat,
Thursday, July 1.
Realizing that the press is the most
potent of all agencies in moulding
sentiment, in shaping public policies
and in promoting all movements for
public welfare, l it not only a
pleasure and an honor, but a great
opportunity as well to speak to the
members of the North Carolina Press
Association.
In my opinion, with the exception
of the teachers and others actively
engaged in educational work, the edi-
tors of North Carolina have contrib
uted more for less pay than any
others, to the educational progress OF
this State during the thirteen years
of my administration. With the ex-
ception Of the public school, the pub
lis press is perhaps n greatest IN
strumentality for public
Approaching your activity and assist
ance in this great work in the past,
I shall take the liberty of talking to
you today informally as to friends
and co-workers in a great cause FOR
the common good about some of the
most important parts of u educa-
tional program.
If time permitted. I should like to
discuss with you three big problems
that now hold important places on
our program of educational work in
this State:
1. Rural Education.-Its adapta-
ton to rural life, to h everyday
needs of the country people that con-
stitute eighty-two per cent OF our
population, preparing them to make
the most and to get the most out of
all that, is about them, soil, plant and
animal, the three great sources OF
wealth, and to use what they make
and get in the best ways to enrich,
sweeten, beautify and uplift country
life socially, morally, Intellectually,
spiritually, making it the ideal life
that men will seek and love to live.
The development Of a type of u
try school by reasonable cOnsOlida-
ton and local taxation, Of not less
than three teachers, adequately
equipped in all respects to give such
preparation, vocational n cultural,
to country boys and girls n t.. be-
come the social, intellectual, industrial
n civic center Of the whole COM
munity.
We have been working on this prob
lem for some years and we are begin
ming to have some encouraging sue
cess in the establishment in a num-
Der of counties of farm-life schools.
rural high schools and consolidated
rural district or community schools
prepared to give instruction and
training in rural life subjects. You
are acquainted with this work and
have given in your hearty support in
the past, n 1 bespeak the same in
the future.
2. More Efficient Teaching and su.
pervision. Increased compensation
increased qualification, professional
preparation, and professional protec'
ton for teachers and superinten'
dents Of schools, raising the most deli.
cate and difficult of all work com
mitted to man to the dignity Of a pro.
fession requiring reasonable specia
preparation.
8. Adult i~lliteracy and it's elimina
ton. The limitation of the time, how
ever, compels me to content mysel
with the briefest statement OF tn
first two problems, with which yO,
arc already familiar, and to devot,
problem, with which you are less ia
miliar.
With 1928 per cent Of the tota
white population over ten years O
6 and Ia per cent Of the whit
population unable to read or write
according to the lest census, the edi
tors of North Carolina will agree wit
the teachers n all other patriot
citizens that the reduction and fina
elimination of illiteracy Is one Of tn
first and most urgent educational du
ties-a duty already too long neg
lected. The recent decision of the [
8. Supreme Court in the Oklahom
Suffrage Amendment case adds ne,
emphasis to this question adult whit
illiteracy in North Carolina. In tn
enactment and enforcement Of til
compulsory attendance law for chi
dren between the ages Of eight an
twelve. conservatfvely lengthene
later. will be found q most ~effectiN
for the elimination Of Eli
eraCy in the rising generatiOn and !
prevention In future generations tt
present crop of adult illiterates q
ready beyond the reach Of the re;
ular public schools. must be reach,
by some other ear They cons1
tute an army Of 1878 native viii
i~lliterates. Of which 49,710 are natl
white illiterates Of voting age, 14O o
Of every thousand white voters u
able to wen read their ballots;
army marching under the black ha