The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-05-11
Hendersonville, N. c.,
Editor. Times-NeWs:

Hendersonville, N. c.,
Editor, Times-News:
There is something more vital
involved in the attitude of the
legislators-to-be, than that Of
whether or not they are to vote
to preserve in toto the burlington
act, repeal the beer law and re-
turn the state to the status of
the "dryest state in the union"
/ do not belittle the Importance
of temperance among our people.
We are very Incorporate in many
things as people. The matter
of Incorporate use of fermented
or spurious liquors is one that
will always be in the foreground
by reason of the fragrant way in
which the intemperance is mani
tested. Other forms of intemper-
ance are not so fragrant, but many
may and do lead to as great deg
radiation and lowering of moral
and religious precepts.
To my mind the great stabiliz-
ers in society are religion and ed
ucation. BY comparison the peo-
pie of this state are religious. We
have no religious problems COM
ing before our lawmakers. The
school problem, however, is very
much before us and will command
the attention of the legislature to
a great degree. The way our edu-
cational institutions and policies
are to be shaped and re-shaped is
of great Importance to the people
of the state at this time. The part
education is to play in the future
with relation to temperance ard
all the other problems of life Will
depend on what course North
Carolina will be following when
this depression is over.
This depression was the means
that brought about the change in
the policy of the state directed to
| the education of the children of
the state on a statewide basis,
from money collected on state
wide basis.
We abolished about 1880 spe-
cial school districts and declared
| for a uniform term throughout
the state. If this policy is to be
continued we may rest assured
that such weak places as exist in
the matter of administration viii
be corrected and we will preserve
to all the children Of the state ar
equal educational opportunity a.
far as the states responsibility l:
concerned.
If we go back to local supple
ments and special districts now i
may be so years before we viii
ever again be able to gain such {
victory as we did gain in 1881.
There is going to be a deter
mined drive to throw the school:
, back on the local community, il
not in whole, then in part. If il
part, it will be designed as al
entering wedge to ultimately de
stroy the idea of complete state
support. The legislature will b,
made up mostly Of new men, bu
the lobbyists will be. old and ex
perlenced men. If we do not keer
our eyes open at the primary anC
see, to 1T that our representative.
and senators stand right on thi:
vital question, the people ma,
wake up and learn that they have
lost the greatest battle they have
ever won. ~
| understand that some of the
candidates in this county seekinp
to go to the legislature are in ia.
vor of local supplements. / am OF
the firm belief that local supple.
nents, however attractive they
may seem to the unit that car
afford them, win ultimately de.
stroy any sembfance of equal on.
portunity now guaranteed unde,
( the statewide school law, the fulI
merits of which cannot be appre.
ciated under the present handi.
caps. mi
Ordinarily, I am not a believer
of the wisdom of submitting can.
didates to QUESTIONABLE. We
should be guided by the integrity