The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-02-01
DEBATE ON SCHOOL BILLS
Page Calls Supt. Joyner Glutton
for Power but Admits He is Eff
ficient-Oates Bill Stutters-Ni-
nority Leader HcRary Makes Plea


nority Leader McRary Makes Plea
Raleigh Cor, Jan. 60, Greensboro
Daily News.
Every seat in the house was taken
when the two committees came to-
getiser TINS afternoon. Senator Oates
and Representative NcLendon jointly
presided. In many OF the assembly
seats were prominent county super
intenderts and their sponsors. Dur
nam sent half city-ful over, both
sides being strongly represented. For
the first hour the clerk read the sew
eral bills, six being before the com
nittee. Il was in the air that the
two which would figure in the az
ternoon debate woud be the Oates
measure, which has the elective fea-
.ture with State majority control in
all counties retained, and what is
known as the Page bill. Nj. Page
was the first speaker.
1T is as impossible to discuss the
school affairs Of theState without dis
cussing the State Superintendent as
it is to play Hamlet with Hamlet left
out" was his opening sentence. SEN
ator Person was first to cheer.
81 shall discuss, not his efficiency"
Mr.. Page said, "for that is known not
only in North Carolina but in the en-
tire nation. But l shall be respect
full and kind, though I shall call him
for purposes Of discussion, "a glut-
ton for power" More applause fol-
lowed this.
Mr.. Page showed how Capitalization
was effectively employed years ago
ur7er the necessity that the ignorant
and irresponsible vote Of the negro
be controlled from without establish
ed the principle now under fire.
The Moore county man said rebel
lion in favor Of popular control had
now almost reached the state Of re
volt. Some here have not heard it."
he said, "but they will hear it two
wears hence when either they will
BE left at home to be suDplanted BIZ
Republicans or by other Democrats"
Oates Bill Shutters
Mr. Page did not ike his own bill
in all parts. It did not 90 far
enough. The Oates bill SHUTTERS a.
the principle Of popular election"
he said in q laugh. He jumped on
il It gives nothing to Republicans.
"There are 10000 white men who
DO rot agree with what you and I
voted for last election" Mr.. Page
said, "and majority now means q
preponderance Of white men. These
men have rights. Why do We ex-
cept Republicans from these provis-
ions? Why not make it red-headed
OF hen-pecked men," More laughter
went over the house, but it lacked
volume. Page was giving all 2
chance to applaud byhis bright stabs.
it." he said, referring 10 his own
bill. "does not force itself where it
IS not wanted, bat does work where
it is wanted" He did not think the
superintendent should be demanding
everything when he has so much.
McCrary for Minority
Representative McCrary spoke for
his own bill and that championed by
the Republicans.
He declared that he and his party
are denied voice in the government
and he made a very pretty little
speech on the blood and makeup of
the 10000 Republican minority. And
yet. he insisted, they are folks.
eff anv man went away from Raj
Ugh and advocated the abolition of
the right to elect county commits
sioners, he would not get 10 votes"
Mr.. McCrary said.
He drew a firstrate picture Of
county government that allows its
citizens to participate in the control
Of the changing. ETC., but fails to op-
crate in the destinies of the children.
Eve Republicans are DISTINGUISHED,
he said. "But not only does the
present system deny to Republican,
any share in control of the schools, it
denies such control to all parties"
He said he thought his bill would
fill some demands not met by the
Page act. He argued for the cleo
ton of the county superintendent by
the people. ain some counties the
cry for popular election of superin-
tendents is even greater than for
election Of county boards" Mr.. Nc
Crary said. at does not make it
obligatory. but does make it possible
on petition"
He dissected some of the bills and
told what he thought their weak
nessos. He did not like the Turner
or the Oates. bill The Turner bill
! in giving minority representation
merely extended an evil. The Oates
hill was generally an ahomination.
THE PAGE bill went hardly far enough.
II lacked supnrintendents' election.
| The Pearson bill was so good that
it was both "Republican and Demo
cratic" The crowd laughed.
In closing he made fine play.
'I ask von." he said "in the name
Of the disfranchised Republicans and
in the name Of common decency to
~ivn Us this bill and let the people
| rule -