The gazette. [volume], February 06, 1897, Image 2

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THE GAZETTE.
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Gazette, Raleigh, N. C.
RALEIGH, N. C, FEBRUARY 6, 1897.
Dr. J. L. M. CURRY ADDRESSES THE
LEGISLATURE OX EDUCATION.
Dr. Curry began his address by saying,
" I am no politician, and am not here 10
express in tne remotest degree any opin
ion on those questions that divide parties;
but on a theme that ought to concern
every human being. This is the third
time I have addressed the General As
sembly.
"I am partially a North Carolinian,
spending my summers in Buncombe.
"The other day I happened to make
purely extempore r-peecb, and one astute
editor suggested that I "ought hen after
to write all my speeches. The editor
doubtless thought if I would wiite, would
catch the grip,' or contagion of being as
wise as he is.
"An intelligent English school inspec
tor said the difference between America
and other countries was the people in the
most progressive states of America be
lieve in education. As a proof of their
belief they were willing to make eacri
flees. Judged by that test, you do not
believe in education.
"Americans ought to be in favor of
education, and it is due to the Democratio
character of owr people that they are
foremost in faith.
" There is a notion that white people
men ought to be educated. I will read
you a note that speaks eloquently for
education:
"Andrew L. Jarnagan Dr., to Andrew
.Johnson, making one coat, $3.50. Rec'd
payment. 4 Dec., 1829. A: Johnson."
" Education ought to be general, not
for the better born, but that all from
Clay to Dare should be furnished with
opportunities for equal development.
" Universal suffrage has no anchoaage
except in the people's intelligence. 'The
ouly safeguard to universal suffrage is
universal education,' said Gov. Johnson
of Alabama. He is a North Carolinian,
and I regard him 4 the educational Gov
ernor of the South.'
" There are more cowardly men in the
Legislature than in any other portion of
the community. I have seen men with
unblanched cheek walk into the very
thickest of the contest in war. I have
seen th se same men in the Legislature so
cowardly that they would hide themselves
till Mr. Talk Loud would tell them how
to vote.
"It was a calamitous mistake of recon
struction to give the negro the ballot
without qualification. Illiterate votes are
a deadly enemy to constitutional govern
ment. " I have heard of frauds in elections. L
have heard of frauds in legislatures I
MEAN in New York, Rhode Island and
elsewhere. There will always be frauds
as long as ignorance prevails to an alarm
ing extent.
Out of every hundred people over 10
years of age in North Carolina, 65 can i
read and write. Of the negroes but. 30.
'. " Some of you are very solicitous about
700,000 negroes in Cuba, and wanting to
tie them on to us like a dead corpse.
These negroes are here to stay. I am
afraid they are not improving as much as
we want them to. Unless you white leg
islators lift up the blacks they will drive
you down to the hell of ignorance and pov
erty. " I don't believe any man ought to be
allowed to put his ballot in the box who
cannot read his ballot. Read the Maesa
chusett constitution. It says no man can
vote who shall not be able to read his
constitution in English, end who has not
paid the taxes assessed upon it. This is
the law in Massachusetts, Rhode Island
and Maine. With Caucasians only to vote
they insist upon education, how much
more should we, with our peculiar condi
tions, and with the impossible barriers
that separate the races here.
" But there is another reason. What
are you here for? I have often Wondered
why some people wanted to come to the
Legislature. It is the investure of the
prerogative of making Jaws. I wonder
men don't tremble in view of the respon
sibility. When you go before an un
bought and unprejudiced constituency
you ask them to commission you to pro
vide for their welfare. You cannot be
equal to it unless you provide for the edu
cation of the people.
" No ignorant people were ever a pros
perous people. Wealth comes in part
from labor, but it. depends upon the in
telligence of labor.
"What was the curse of the South?
It was when vessels came into our rivers
and left slaves here. These vessels all
started from Old England and New Eng
land. Never one of them started from
North Carolina. They came here and
left a Pandora's box, full of evils.
"You have got to get rid of ignorant,
stupid labor. You must give education
and skill. I can demonstrate that every
kind of work is productive and valuable
in proportion as science is connected
with it. . '
"Apart from the Christian religion our
civilization is one of schools and rail
roads and newspapers.
" Why is it that Connecticut gets more
patents than all North Carolina ? Be
cause of her public schools and advanced
education.
Massachusetts gives to her . citizens
more than three times as much school
term as North Carolina. Its per capita
wealth is more than three times as much
. as yours. .
.." Whita John Tyler visited New Eng
land they didn't receive John Tyler very
pleasantly. He had vetoed the tariff
and a banking law . Tyler asked " what
are the chief products of Massachusetts 7"
"Granite and ice," he was answered.
He replied: "I thought so from the hard
and cold reception you gave me." Why
is Massachusetts ahead of all other sec
tions? Because of her publio schools.
" I hear a great deal about the New
South and its wondeiful prosperity.
Where is it? I don't see it. It isn't
here. Why? Prices for agricultural
employment is not one whit better than
in 1865. I go to a farm. We have un
skilled, uninventive labor, undiversified
employment, bad roads. I stop at a sta
tion or a depot and find from 20 to 50
lazy, Micawber-like folks standing
around waiting for something to turn up.
"Iam told that there are 10,000 hungry
mouths waiting for some Federal pap.
Why? It cannot be otherwise as long
as you are forced to sell your cotton,
wheat and corn for nothing. Is it strange,
with such conditions, that people ask for
an office?
" Manual training ought to.be found in
every school from the University up to
the Kindergarten. Women ougri to learn
how to read, write, sew and cook
"I heard a man say this morning; 'We
are all in favor of education, but we are
too poor to make better schools.' "
" In the name of God (and I say it rev
erently), you are too poor not to educate.
would like to burn that into your con-
sciences. If you dont
educate them
you'll remain poor until
Gabriel's born
blows.
"There are no doubt members of this
Legislature who couldn't make an axe
handle, and yet they know all about gold
and silver, and talk eloquently about the
advanced tide of prosperity that is said
to be sweeping over the country. Moral
character is above all the standards of
gold and silver. While you are debating
the ratio between gold and silver, I want
wou to consider the ratio between educa
tion and illiteracy.
"If you want to develop North Caro
lina, if you will establish a public school
in every neighborhood and put a trained
teacher in charge, you will succeed. You
ought to improve your schools. You
made a terrible mistake last session when
you did away with supervision. A school
system cannot succeed by the schools
running themselves. .Why repeat experi
ments of failures ? No child can learn or
teacher instruct with a sixty-day session.
You want more money, longer terms,
better teachers.
" In animal creation, in a few months
the snimal is fully grown. With children
it takes 18 or 20 years to qualify them for
tbe duties of life. The office of a State is
to nemetuate free government, and it
can only be done by making good citi
zens.
"There is no more legitimate tax on
property than for public schools. Over
87 rer cent of tbe children in the United
States and 93 per cent in North Carolina
- 1 ... .1 L. 1 :
gee ail ineir eaucauou in iub puuiiv
schools, and only half the children attend
, the public schools.
"Is it of more importance to declare
Goose Crtek navigable than to provide
for the education of the children?
"The sc hool , at Greensboro, managed
by Dr. Mclver, I was writing about it
vesterdav. Its success is unparalleled in
the history of the United States. We
aid it gladly. I cannot find words suffi
ciently strong to express my estimate of
its worth, usefulness and excellence. 1
am clad to aid it. .
"We aid seven so-called Normal
Schools for the colored people. I am
coin? to stop it. The Peahody money is
to train teachers if you'll make real
bona fide Normals, we will help it
if not, you must take care of them jour-
self.
"More money has been given for edu
cation in the United States by private
persons than by all the world. Lesidea
Peabody is the greatest benefactor who
has lived. Peabody gave $3,000,000 to
both races. Slater gave $1,000,000 to
educate the negroes.
"A great University is a great tower
of strength. S an ford, Rockefeller and
others gave to colleges where the parents
can educate their children. Peabody
and Slater were the South's greatest
benefactors. Peabody gave this money
in 1867. . The bottom had dropped out of
the South. In that hour Mr. Peabody
came and put his .money for the humble
and poor. South Carolina and Virginia
have begun to raise money to put a
monumeot in Statuary Hall in Wash
ington of George Peabody. I hope this
Legislature will not adjourn until it ap
propriates $1,000 for this purpose.
Concluding, Dr. Curry spoke of the
little children as the centre of the Chris
tian religion, and made a stirring appeal
to the legislators to provide sufficient
educational advantages for all the chil
dren of the State.
The address was happy throughout
not without humor, pathos and lofty elo
quence. FOR BETTER SCHOOLS.
The joint meeting of tho Educational
Committees of the Legislature, called to
confer with the committee of the Teach
ers' Assembly in regard to tbe bill pre
pared by the latter committee to be pre
sented in the General Assembly met in
the State Library last week and was in
session about an hour and a half.
There was a large attendance of
members of the Legislature, prominent
educators and others interested in public
school matters. Chairmen Grant and
Djckery, of the legislative committees,
presided, and State Senator Butler acted
as Secretary.
Secretary Parker of the Teachers' As
sembly read tbe resolutions from which
the committee derived their authority to
draw the bill. Prof. J yner of the State
Normal then address the meeting. He
said that the Teachers' Assembly at Ashe
ville last summer was the largest meeting
of progressive teachers ever held in North
Carolina; that the measure then contem
plated to be presented to the Legislature
rnoeived careful consideration and was
strongly supported by the teachers. The
bill, as prepared by the, committee, he
said, provided for two things school su
pervision and local taxation. Competent
supervision would result in better teach
ers and better schools. Local taxation,
he declared, was essential to the develop
ment of the public schools to the high
standard which is . the ideal of teachers,
and which the school childrenof the State
have a right to expect.
Dr. Mclver, chairman of the Assembly
Committee, addressed the meeting. He
began by saying that there can ba no
great advance in education without local
taxation. Without local taxation there
never would have been any graded
schools in the cities of North Carolina.
There are people who are ever ready to
declaim against taxss, but it is a note
Worthy fact that enterprising people are
moving to places where higher taxes pre
vail. The movement from the country
to the towns sustains this proposition.
The fact that for every 100 people who
move into the State, 600 move out of it,
further confirasit. If the recommenda
tion of tbe S.ale Superintendent of Pub
lic Instruction, regarding increasing the
tax rate for schools and making an ap
propriation of $100,000 from the State
treasury, is adopted by the Legislature,
one-half of the counties would be able
to comply with the constitutional require
ment of four months schools.- Some
would have six or eight months; the
others less than four. Local taxation
would equalize the school terms.
- The speaker made a strong plea for
recognizing teaching as a profession. He
wanted teachers of known qualifications
appointed District Supervisors. He did
not want preachers or lawyers in the office,
no matter what their abilities. . The need
of North Carolina, he said, was not ninety-six
supervisors, but a few men who
can set the people on fire. No ordinary
man can make the people believe in this
matter. t
" The school fund, as well as the schools,
needs supervision. In some counties the
taxes required by law are not levied ; in
others the school fund is diverted, in
part, to other purposes. The supervisors
will look after these matters and see that
the taxes are levied and that the fund is
guarded as a sacred trust.
"The Teachers' Assembly asks to have
teachers put in charge of public school
matters. Lawyers, doctors and preach
ers are examined and licensed by men of
their own prof( 83ion ; but any man, under
the laws of North Carolina, may b.e a
county examiner, and any kind of man
may be licensed to teach a public school.
Teachers should be entrusted with the
direction of these matters. All they ask
is a clance."
State Superintendent Mebane spoke
briefly, giving his cordial approval to the
principal features of the bill, nut saying
that he would not insist upon minor de
tails. The bill was then read. After informal
remarks by several gentlemen, it was de
cided to have the bill introduced in both
branohes of the Legislature to-day, and
to request that a number of copies be
printed.
THE COMMITTEE'S BILL.
A bill to be entitled " An act to provide
for the supervision of the public schools
of North Carolina."
The General Assembly of North Carolina
do enact :
Section 1. Thai the State of North Car
olina shall be divided into not less than
twenty-four nor more than forty-eight
Supervision Districts, each district to be
composed of two or more counties.
Sec. 2. That the general business of
each Supervision District shall be man
aged by a District Board of Educational
Commissioners, to be elected as herein
after provided.
Sec. tt. The County Board of Educa
tion, Register of Dieds, Clerk of the
Court and the Board of County Commis
sioners of each county shall, at a joint
meeting on Tuesday after the first Mon
day in April following the ratification of
this act, elect as maoy District Educa
tional Commissioners as the said county
has representatives in the lower house
of the General Assembly: Provided, that
the commissioners elected shall be men
of education and good business capacity
and known to favor improving the pub
lic schools: Provided, further, that where
any county is entitled to more than one
commissioner on the District Board the
commissioners elected shall not be of the
same political faith: Provided, further,
that if there be no County Board of
Education the Board of County Com
missioners, tbe K g later of Deeds and
the Clerk of the Court of the several
counties shall alone elect -the District
Commissioners of Education. The term
of office of tbe District Commissioner,
shall be two years.
Sec. 4. On Tuesday following their
election the Board of District -Commissioners
shall meet at such place within
their district as the State Boari of Edu
cation shall designate, and shall organize
by electing a chairman and secretary.
Tne place of succeeding meetings shall
be determined by the District Board:
Provided, that all regular annual meet
ings shall be at the county seat of one of
the count ii s composing the district:
Provided, further, that not more than
one meeting shall be held each year ex
cept upon request of the chairman of
the District Board, endorsed by the
chairmen of the Boards of County Com
missioners in the majority of the coun
ties composing the district.
Sec. 5. A t its first meeting - the District
Board of Commissioners shall ehct a
Superintendent of the district, who shall
hold office for a term of four years and
until his successor shall be elected by the
Board.
Sec. 6. No one shall be eligible to the
office of District Superintendent who is
not twenty-three years of age, and who
has hot spent two years of his life in teach
ing, and who do-?s not propose to make
teaching his life-work. He shall be a
man of good education and judgment,
and competent to examine and grade
teachers intelligently, and to discharge
the Other duties of his office.
Sec. 7. Tbe duties of the District Su
perintendent shall be: (a) To examine
teachers and issue certificate! "according
to the law and under the direction of tbe
State Superintendent; (b) to hold insti
tutes, in which he shall give instruction
in the subjects taught in the pubiic
schools, in the principles and methods of
teaching, and in the public school law of
the State; (c) to make out and recom
mend to the teachers of the district suit
able courses of reading and professional
study, and to stimulate the educational
life of his district by making public ad
dresses, and in every other way possible;
(d) to inspect as many of the schools in
bis district as practicable, and to perform
such other duties as may be prescribed
by the Board of Commissioners; (e) to
make to the board of district commis
sioners an annual report of his work,
and of the conditidn of the schools of his
district, with suggestions at, to the im
provement of the same.
Sec. 8. The Board of District Commis
sioners shall be allowed no compensation
for their services except actual necessary
expenses incident to the meetings of the
District Board; each county being re
quired to pay out of its school fund the
expenses of its own Commissioner or
Commissioners.
Section 9. The salary of the District
Superintendent shall be 8 per cent (3 per
cenf.) of the school f und.less the amount
required to pay the expenses of the Dis
trict Commissioners and the examination
fees of the teachers in each county of his
district.
Section 10. The fees for examination
shall be one dollar at the regular time and
one dollar and a half at other times.
Section 11. At least one institute a year
of at least one week in length for each
race shall be held in each county by the
District Superintendent, and all of the
public school teachers of the county shall
be required to attend continuously the
sessions of the institutes in their respect
ive districts. The teachers failing to at
tend said institutes or some other institute
satisfactory to the District Superintend
ent shall not receive a certificate to teach
for one year from the date of the institute,
unless the District Superintendent is sat
isfied that some providential hindrance
makes institute attendance impossible.
Section 12. During the session of the
institute the annual examination of teach
ers shall take place. No other regular
examination shall be given.
Section 13.- The District Superintendent
shall have no authority over city schools
already employing a superintendent.
Section 14. The State Board of Educa
tion shall, as soon as practicable after the
ratification of this act, divide the State
into not less than twenty-four nor more
than forty-eight districts, having regard
to the convenience and expense of the
District Superintendents so far as is con
sistent with the public good, and endea
voring to make no district so weak that
three per cent, of the school fund and the
examination fees of the district will not
secure the services of a competent super
intendent. - , '
' . Section 15. The District Superintend
ent shall devote his entire time to the
work of his office, and shall receive no
compensation, direct or indirect, for act
ing as agent for any periodical, or other
publication, or as agent for any other
business.
. Section 16. The Chairman of the Board
of Commissioners of each district shall
make an annual report, including the
report of the District Superintendent, to
the State Superintendent of Public In
struction. : Section 17. In case the State Superin
tendent shall have evidence at any time
that any District Superintendent is not
capable of discharging, or is not dis
charging the duties of his office as re
quired by this act, it shall be his duty to
report the fact to the District Commis
sioners. If the District Commissioners,
after investigation, do not remove the
said Superintendent in thirty days, then
the State Board of Education shall have
full power to act in the matter, and to
remove the District Superintendent, if
they deem the cause sufficient, and the
vacancy shall be filled by the District
Board of Commissioners.
Section 18. Once each year the State
Superintendent shall call 1 together the
District Supeiintendents to consult in
regard to the general Bchool interests of
tne State, and to make to them such sug
gestions as he. may desire. The actual
expense of the District Superintendents
in attending this meeting shall be paid by
tbe State Treasurer upon presentation of
proper, vouchers approved by the State
Superintendent. '
Section 19. The office of County Ex
aminer is hereby abolished, to go into
effect June 1, 1897, and all laws' or parts
of laws in conflict with this act are here
by repealed.
Section 20. This act shall be in force
from and after its ratification.
An Act to Establish a School for the
Training of Colored Teachers.
Introduced by Young, of Wake.
Section 1. The General Assembly of
North Carolina ao enact : That there shall
be established an institution for the col
ored race, under the corporate name of
the " North Carolina Industrial and Train
in 2 School .for Colored Teachers,' the
board of directors of which, hereinafter
provided for, shall be a body corporate
and politic, with ail tne powers usuany
conferred upon such bodies, enabling
them to receive, protect and hold prop-
ery, and do all - things necessary for the
purpose for which the corporation is crea
ted. Sec. 2. That the institution shall be lo
cated by the board of directors, as elected
by the General Assembly of North Caro
lina, at some suitable place where the
citizens thereof will furnish the necessary
buildings or money sufficient to ereot
them.
Sec. 3. That the institution shall be
managed by a board of directors and the
first board shall be elncted by the General
Assembly of North Carolina. Said board
of directors shall consist of nine persons,
cne from each Congressional district
whose regular term of office shall be six
years from the first day of March next
after their election. - The State board of
education shall divide the directors mto
classes of three each; the term of office of
the first class shall be two years from the
first day of March next after their elec
tion: of the Eecond. four years, of the
third, six years. The General Assembly
shall elect directors to till vacancies as
they may occur by the expiration of tbe
term of office. Vacancies that may occur
by death, or resignation, or otherwise,
shall be filled for the unexpired term by
the Governor of the State. All directors
shall take an oath, faithfully, to perform
their duties, as required in this act, and
shall hold office until their successors are
elected and qualified. The State Super in
tendent of Publio Instruction shall be an
additional member of the board of direc
tors, and shall be its president. Tbe board
of directors shall report biennially, before
the meeting of each Gtneral Assembly, to
the Governor, the operations of the insti
tutions.
Sec. 4. That as soon as the institution
Bhall have been located, and the directors
elected, the president shall call a meeting
of the directors, who shall make rules
and regulations and provide for the open
ing of the institution: Provided, that the
board of directors shall make such regu
lations about the admission of pupils as
will not discriminate against any county
as to the number of pupils allowed it, in
case all applicants cannot be accommo
dated: Provided further, thtt each conn
ty shall have representation in proportion
tj the colored school population, if it de
sires it, and should any county, fail to
avyil itself of its proportionate number,
the board of directors may recognize ap
plicants from 'counties which already
have their proportionate representation.
Sec. 5. The object of the institution
shall be (1) to give colored men and
women such education ad training as
will fit them for their wotk as profes
sional teachers, (2) to provide such indus
trial and liberal education and advanced
methods of instruction as will render
more efficient and practical the colored
schools of North Carolina. Tuition shall
be free to those wbo signify their inten
tion to teach in the State, upon such con
ditions as may be prescribed by the board
of directors.
Sec. 6. Tbe institution shall be in reg
ular session for at least thirty weeks' per
annum, and the instructors, in addition
to their duties at the institution, may
assist in "Institute" work in various sec
tions of the State, under such regulations
as may be made by the board of directors
and eounty boards of education. The
directors and faculty of the institution,
upon the completion of the prescribed
course, sball grant certificates which
shall entitle the holders to teach in any
county of the State, without further
examination, subject to the general
school laws of the State as to character.
Sec. 7. That as soon as the buildings
shall have been erected or furnished, aa
provided for in this act, the turn of five
($5,000) thousand dollars per annum from
the general fund in the State treasury re
appropriated for the purpose herein set
forth. Money appropriated in this act;
shall be drawn by a warrant of the board
of directors, or by such person as they
may designate as treasurer.
Sec. 8. That for the purpose of this act
the authorities of any incorporated town,
or city may appropriate money from their
funds for the building of this institution,
or they may, from the provision of the
general election law, and in accordance
with- section thirty seven hundred and
eighty -eight of the Code, order and hold
an election and take the sense of the
qualified voters upon "Subscription" or
"No subscription" of a definite sum, to
be paid in money or bonds. And if a
majority of the voters shall vote for
" Subscription" the authorities sball have
full power to make good the subscription
in money or bonds which they may issue,
and for whose payment, principal and
interest, they sball provide.
Sec. 9. Tbat it shall be the duty of the
faculty of the institution to extend its
influence and usefulness as far as possible
to persor s who are unable to avail them
selves of its advantages, as resident stu
dents, having respect to the claims of
each county in the State; to this end they
shall arrange a course of reading and
study which may be pursued by others
than these resident at the institution.
Upon application of any colored teacher
for examination upon this course, at the
institution, an examination shall be held,
and if such examination prove satisfac
tory the regular certificate of the insti
tution shall be granted.
-'" Sec 10. That in selecting the location
the directors shall have regard to health,
accessibility and low rates of board in
private families: Provided, that should
it become necessary to establish a board
ing hall in connection with the institu
tion, the board Bhall be furnished at
actual cost. In case it shall be impossi
ble to secure the necessary funds by do
nation for the immediate establishment
cf the institution, as provided for in this
act, such part as may be necessary of the
first year's appropriation of five ($,5000)
thousand dollars made ny this act may
be used for that purpose: Provided fur
ther, that said amount shall not exceed
one half of the annual appropriation.
Sec. 11. This act shall be in force from
and after its ratification.
Death of Mr. Isham Pair.
After about six days illness, Mr. Isham
Pair, the father of Rev. H. Pair, died of
the la grippe Saturday morning, Jan
uary 30. He was about 75 years of age.
Mr. Pair was a consistent Christian, and
a member and a deacon of the Good
Hope Baptist Church, Shotwell, N. C.
The community has lost a worthy coun
sellor, the church a true member and
deacon, the family a loving and. faithful
father, and the wife a .loving husband.
We have all reason to believe that our
loss is Heaven's gain, for bis last words
were, "Now, I go to my Father."
He was buried Sunday, January 31.
His funeral was preached at Good Hope
Church. Revs. . A. Whitted and Joseph
Perry officiated.
"Mark the perfect man and behold the
upright, for the end of that man is
peace.
J. D. P.
The Pnblic School Question.
Editor Gazette:
The question of public schools in North
Carolina is a serious one; and now that
the law-makers of the State are in ses
sion at Raleigh, it is to be hoped that
they will give this matter earnest, if not
prayerful consideration.
Unfortunately for the children and the
profession, the lists are crowded with I
incompetent teachers, and every year
finds the conditions growing more de
plorable The?e people engraft them
selves upon us in various ways; and the
question now is, how best to get rid of
them? Same of them have had little, if
any, training for the serious work of
teaching, and instead of branching out,
finding their calling, they invariably
" look for a school to teach."
North Carolina has long been the pride
of the South in the thoroughness of the
scholarship of its teachers; and they
have been in great demand, not only
within the confines of the State, but in
other communities as well.- Bat deplor
able as it is, it is nevertheless true there
are a great many school committeemen
in the State who prefer to engage an in
competent teacher at a reduced salary,
than to employ a competent one at a
living salary. Ia every case of this kind,
the community in which the teacher
works is the l isjr; and it is rank injus
tice to the teacher wbo has gone to the
trouble of preparing himself for the
work, and follows it as a profession.
It is to be hoped that some way will
be found, which will have for its finality
the weeding out of this big crop of fungi.
' The salary now paid to teachers is en
tirely too small the smallest. I. believe,
paid by any other State. Why not fix
the salary by law, instead of leaving it
to the several committees, as is now
done? The school term is entirely too
short, and the taking of tbe schools from
under the supervision of the counties
was a long step backwards.
No district schools in the State are su
perior to those of Edgecombe county.
And it is the hoist of its people that no
incompetent person of either race is al
lowed to teach in one of its schools; and
the results are shown in the thorough
ness of the work done, the large attend
ance and the interest taken in the work
by those in authority. The county ex
aminer U a teacher of forty years, and
understands the work in all its bearings
He has at heart both the interests of the
school and the teachers. The committee
men are selected with great care, and are
always gentlemen of education and char
acter. Unarlee M. Eppes, tuq., has made It a
part of his life's work to assist in putting
the public school system of that county in
the condition it is in to-day. He has
been, and is an uncompromising friend
of schools and teichers, and his many
kind deeds to teachers who have gone
there, and to those of his own county,
speak more eloquently for him than any
thing I may say. With him it has been
hard, persistent work.
Longer terms, better salaries, compe
tent teachers, and county supervision,
are the things which are needed to make
the schools better.
W. F. Fonvielle.
An Appeal to the Baptists of North Car
olina. Dear Brethren : I took charge of
Shiloh Biptist Church in Greensboro,
N. C, in June, 1896. I found the church
in very bad condition. No system of
doing business, members bad (with little
exception) stopped assisting and attend
ing tbe church; no church book; no
book to show any former transactions of
the church; few members, if any, could
recollect tbe last time that the sacrament
had been ad ministered ; many debts were
over the church, some of which the
members thought had been settled. I
have managed to get about two-thirds of
those who were considered members of
the church a year ago, to agree to link
in and help us work for tbe Lord and
church. We have paid several of the
debts, but two important debts still hover
over us now. We have no deed to -the
ground upon which tbe church stands.
Work done on the church is still unpaid
for, and s-veral smaller debts, say eight
or ten dollars, are now confronting the
church.
I think $200 will relieve us. We
have the members , divided into seven
different clubs. By this plan, we hope
to raise $.100 as soon as we po sibly can.
During last year the church helped our
miseiouaries at various times to one, two,
three tnd five dollars, respectively, try
ing to encourage the co-operative move
ment. Now, we appeal to the Baptists of North
Carolina for aid. Brethren, you know
we are surrounded here by various de
nominations, and schools of other de
nominations, with many attractions.
Winter is here, and apparently our way
out seems dark. But we shall trust the
Lord, and do the best we can. There
are many Baptist brethren in the State
who can spare us from one to ten dol
lars, and not hurt their arrangements.
Please send us what you can spare,
brethren. Any amount sent will be ac
knowledged by receipt, and the same
published in The Gazette and our city
papers. By this appeal, we hope to raise
one hundred dollars at an early date.
Brethren, write to us if you cannot send
anything.
Yours in the work,
S. S. Henderson, Pastor.
Rocky Mount Grits.
Mr. Joseph Staten has returned home
after taking in several of the northern
and southern States. Mr. Staten, while
home, will give a superb entertainment,
which it is hoped our people will patron
ize frtely.
The fallowing visitors were in town
during 1 he Emancipation on Friday last:
Mr. J. P. Murphy and sisters, of Nash
ville; Mr. J. W. Watson, Whitakers;
Prof. C. W. Bttlle, Battleboro; Miss El
nora Mann, Mr. Robert Powell, and Mr.
Arthur Whitaker and sisters, Gold Rock;
Rev. Dears, of tbe A. M. E. Conference;
Prof. M.C ill and several others whose
nanus we fail to learn.
Mr. Patrick Thomas, of Louieburg, was
a welcome visitor to our town during the
holidays. Cupid says it was Miss Ara.
Ah tbere, Miss Ara, Seem quite shy
since.
We are sirry to note tbe severe illness
of Oliver Htrns We sincerely wish for
him a speedy recovery.
Mrs. Lizzie Cheatham, of Oxford, is
vifiting Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Alston.
Miss Martha Russell, of Tarboro, has
been the guest of Miss Ella Westry for
the past wtek.
The Emancipation was celebrated in a
grand style en the first day of January.
The parade was the grandest ever wit
nessed in the history of our town. While
the devil and his host did all in their
power to obstruct, rule and ruin, the peo
ple stood in one solid phalanx and car
ried it to victory. It is a shameful sight
among our race to see a set of men try to
rule everything or run it, but tbe time
has come in Rocky Mount when boss is err
will be put down, and the people will
have a voice in nil matters. As for our
part we shall endeavor to teach the peo
ple on this line until it is completed; and
that is no far off date, from tbe fact the
bosses were put on the do-nothing-stool
for this ccca ion this time. The exercises
might have been better but for the dis
couragement that was thrown out dur
ing our meetings. . Prof. S. H. Tick's
oration was full of rich gems. It was the
best we ever heard .on such an occasion.
Mr. Vick is one of the foremost young
men of our race in She country. He
scorns treachery and political manipula
tions, and offeis himself to the people at
all times, and with them he acts. All
honor to such young men. Honor Is due
to Messrs. J. J. Cook, the President of
the Association; J. W. Parker, Secretary;
D. H. Jones, Financial Secretary; C. E.
Bryan, Corresponding Secretary ; Prof. I.
D. Hargett, Master of Ceremonies; Ste
phen Bullock, Chief Man-hall, together
with Mr. James Sesaoms, Jr., Lewis Tay
lor, M. M. Hines. Wm. Walters, and the
ladies who took an active part in pushing
the celebration on to victory, uur peo
ple were determined and they succeeded.
Hurrah!
About 50 tobacconists came from Dan
ville, Va., here to work with J. O. W.
Gravely and E. W.Smith's stemming fac
tories. Rocky Mount is getting there.
Unity Lodge. No. 64. A. F. and A. M.,
Rocky Mount. N. C. celebrated its fourth
anniversary of St. John the Evangelist
on the 4th Sunday in December last. Mr.
M. M. Hines was master of ceremonies.
Rev. J. E. C. Barnham, of Brinkley ville,
preached two excellent sermons, evening
and night. His subject in the evening
was. "Ye are the light of the world;
which was very logically handled. His
subject at night was, "And there ap
peared a great wonder in heaven: a wo
man clothed with the sun and the moon
under her feet, and upon her head a
crown of twelve stars." Tbe subject,
within itself, was a sermon, and Kev.
B i rah am expounded it so eloquent that
his audience regreted its closing very
much. The collection for charitable pur
poses was $19.58. Mr. F. W. Davis, W.
M., desires us to return thanks for cour
tesies of tbe citizens during the occasion.
Mr. Thomas F. Gee left for Raleigh last
week, where he will work at the Park
House. Some young lady is all alone.
Don't Brieve, dear eirl.
The Lagrippe has had the Grit man for
several weeks, and 11 we say seven-eighth
of the people of our town, we will hardrj
err.
Hon. Geo. IT. White and f&milv naased
through en route to Tarboro, their future
home last week.
Mr. J. W. Watson, of Whitaker's, was
in town during the week.
We are glad to note that Mr. W. S.
Armstrong, after a severe attack of
grippe, is now better.
Little Georgia, the infant child of Mr.
and Mrs. James Sessoms, departed this
life laet Wednesday. She was the bloom
of life in the family, and her sudden
death was a great shock to her loving pa
rents. We extend to the bereaved pa
rents our heartfelt sympathies.
It is hoped that justice will prevail and
that Hon. Jas. H. Young will retain his
seat in the present Legislature, lie was
justly elected by tbe people of his county
We believe in fairness in every respect
but we certainly think that some of tho
populists, or rather the part that call them
selves the majority, went to the extreme
in the matter of Senator Pritchard's re
election. They now claim tbat co-operation
was agreed upon two years between
the Populist and Republican parties. If
this be true, why did they desert their
agreement and try to elect another Ponu
list Senator instead of a Republican as
agreed upon.
While we are friendly to every candi
date tor Recorder of Deeds, we stil
hope to Bee Hon. I. H. Smith appointed
to the position. He is worthy, capable and
his work demands that the appointment
go to him. Mr. Smith, Recorder of Ueedp
and Hon. Jas. H. Young, Postmaster at
Raleigh, would be two worthy appoint
ments.
Mrs. S. P. Faison departed this life on
Sunday, the 17ih inst. She was a devoted
Christian lady and loved by all who knew
her. She had been in failing health for
quite awhile, but her loving husband stil
hoped for her recovery. We can only say
to the bereaved husband and eon that
Mrs. Faison is no more upon earth with
you, but has parsed to her Father to join
the angelio host where sickness and aor
row are unknown. No, you cannot see
her, but she is beckoning you to come,
oh, -come, but the loving husband can
only eay, 1 shall know the loved ones
who have gone before:
And joyfully sweet will the me ting be,
When over the river, tbe peaceful river,
The angel of death shall carry me.
We notice that tbe President has ap
pointed Mr. ti. w. Wilcox, of this place
and tbe Senate has confirmed to be Post
master for the next four years at this
place. The question now comes up, can
Congressman White have htm removed.
We think and hope that he can. Mr,
Wilcox is an ardent free silver advocate
and a strong democrat in principal, and
another reason is that both white and
colored desire him changed. It will be
an easy matter to 'prove this. The Re
publican administration should tolerate
no advocate of Bryanism. These shrewd
appointments being made to hold over
should be niped in the bud at once.
We very much regret to note the serf
ous illness of Mrs. Jane Harvey. We wish
for her a speedy recovery.
Mr. Lawienoe Lindsey, we are glad to
note, is improving very rapidly.
Since beginning our notes, Mr. William
Uuy, one of our leading colored mer
chants, has died. It ts a sad shock to his
wife and family. We extend our sym
pa hy to the bereaved and loving ones,
Mrs. D. A. Kelly arrived last week to
ioin her husband, Rev. D. A. Kelly, in
his pastoral work here.
W. S. Armstronq.
Rocky Point, N. C, Jan. 23. 1897.
Last Friday brought to our school, Ex
celsior, many of cur patrons who are in
terested in the education of their children
and the negro race.
Rhetoricals were the feature of the
evening. We have ninety-nine enrolled
and all spoke.
The principal and Mrs. A. V. Jones,
assistant teacher, led in the exercise by
way of example.
The piece "To be True," rendered by
one of the girls, was scholarly and grand.
Rev. W, B. F. Kornegay had been in
vited to address tbe students and parents
and did so to the satisfaction and en
pcouragement of all. Subject: "You
must meet the world or it will meet
you."
Mr. A. J. Rogers, agent for the Ga
zette, came to see us Thursday night,
but having had an invitation to visit
some of our friends, we were not at
home.
Our school will close in prox., and you
are requested to make this your pass-by
place, Mr. Rogers, make a talk for us.
and we promise you a good time, and
the luxuries of the season. Will card
you later. W. J.
Greenville Sound.
Rev. E. S. Burney, pastor of the Zion
church, is very highly esteemed by his
members and congregation. He has only
been here a little over one month.
Miss Dennie P. Nixon will soon close
her school here. ThiS is her first eossion
at this place and it has been a successful
one, giving general . satisfaction to. the
parents. Miss Nixon is a young lady of
high qualities. She is loved by all of her
pupils.
Mr. Thomas Franks nas purchased a
very desirable tract of land with dwell
ing house and barns thereon adjoining
another tract tbat be owned, both tracts
containing about thirty-six acres. This
land is well adapted for trucking pur
poses. We are glad to see colored men
inveeting their money in rf al estate. It-
shows progress among the race. Mr.
Franks is one who patronizes and esteems
all worthy enterprises of his own race.
He has been a reader of the. Gazette
about two years. It ia a welcome visitor
In his family.
Mr. Alexander Galloway, in renewing
his subscription, said : " I thought once
of discontinuing the papar for a while,
but my family think so much of it and
read it with ao much interest, you can let
it continue to oome."
Oar Trip to Henderson.
We feel that we would be ungratefd
the good people of Henderson were wA
fail to mention the kindness shown us v.
the good people of that place. during tt
Christmas holidays. We must say thj
we have never enjoyed a more pleasas
s'ay in any town or city. Hon. M. ll
and Li. A. taton spared no pains in ma
ing our stay aesirahie. We spent wat
night at Miss I J. Merrimon's watchii
the incoming of the new year. We wd
nigniv enienainea witn mus e rurnih
1 1 . . .
uj 4M.woci iucilliuuu HUU lOUHg, VI,
Jatter,. or Oxford, the guest of Mit
Merrimon. Mr. T. C. Branch, of Nev
York, who is taking a medical course at
Shaw University, rendered vocal musitl
for the occasion. At this time the old
year had nearly passed out, and when th!
new year made its appearance some of
the young ladies wrote tbe names of som f
or the young geotlemen as an indication!
or their nrst work in a new year. W
then parted for our home to await tin
arrival of the Southern Railway train,
which landed us safely at our home, Oxj
ioru, 11. in 1
Messrs. H. A. Poole. Thomas LIttll
jhn, Rv. C. U. Maye. T. C. Brand
Mies U. X. Yc
iss G. Y. Young and Hon. T. L. Tayld
i and,
were
visitors to
Henderson duricg thj
holiday.
8. J. II. Maves.
(In behalf of the whole).
K0T1CE OF ADMINISTRATRIX.
Having qualified as Administratrix o
Anna P. Smith, deceased, I hereby give 1
notice to all pel Bona having claims against 1
said estate to present them on or before I
December 26tb, 1897, or this notice will
be plead in bar of their recovery. AndJ
all persons indebted to -aid estate ara
also notified to pay what is due by them
to me. Sarah Jane Pettiford, I
Administratrix of Anna P. Smith, f
Dec. 22. 1890. Rw.
Do You Want to Make Money !
IN 1897? I
If so, save all you can, stop this "on time" V
business by paying cash for your !
groceries, and save 25'
per cent, on the
dollar.
B. W. UPCHURCH'S,
15 E. IlargcU Sired,
vv no aowns competition in prices, as you j
will see in this price list: I
Green Coffee, 12, 15 and 20 cts! per lb.)
Arbuckle Roasted Coffee. 20 cts. Per lb. '
Cresent Roasted Coffee, 20 cents per lb. f
Pure Hog Lard, 1 cents per lb. (
Cream Cheese, 12 cents per lb.
B t Northern Butter, 20 cents per lb. "
All Pork Sauaage, 10 cents per lb.
Sour Krout, 4 cents per lb.
JNavy lieans, 7 cents per quart.
Gold Dust, large size, 20 cts. per package.
Rice, 5 cents per lb.
Vinegar, 80 cents per gallon.
Star Lye, 8 boxes, 25 cents.
Meal, 15 cents per peck; 95 cts. per sack.
Diarcn, o cenis per id. i
Good Syrup, 80 cents per gallon.
Two Bars Soap, 5 cents.
Can Peaches, 10 cents.
Flour of Grades at lowest prices.
Old Egerton Snuff and Tobacco always
on hand. 1
Give me a trial. .
B. W. UPCHURCII.
LAND SALE.
By virtue of power conferred on me .
by a certain mortgage deed executed by I
Robert A. Tucker, and duly recorded in I
Rpgister of Wake County in Book No.
130, at page 477, 1 will offer for sale to
the highest bidder for cash at the court
house door in the city of Raleigh on Mon
day, February 8, 1897. at 12 o'clock M..
the land conveyed in said mortgnge andi
described as follows, to-wit: Adjoining
the lands of J. J. Overby, Becky John
son and others, and bounded as follows:
Beginning at a stone on Cabarrus street
extended just north of the center of tbe
house standing on the lot, a part of which'
is hereby conveyed; thence south through
the center of the house to J. J. Overby's
line; thence west with said line to the
corner of the late Thomas Johnson's line;
thence with his line north to Cabarrus
street; thence east to the beginning.
Said lot' beiDg the lot conveyed to the
Raleigh Co-operative Building and Loan
Association by Thomas Gnflis, and by
said Association to Cj rus Tucker.
B. F. Montague,
Mortgagee.
Jan. 7. 1897 tds.
WILMINGTON AND WKI,IX)N RAIL
KOAD AND BKANCHKM.
AND FLORENCE RAILROAD.
CONDENSED HCH EDULE.
TRAINS UOINU HOUTIL
DATED rfKgjK p?
(Corned.) II g iiii
A. M. P. M. A. M. r. M.
Leav Weldon 11 60 44 ...
Ar. Rocky Mount 12 W 10 8W ..
Leave Tarboro., .7 12 ZHZ.
Lv.Rocky M0001 1 00 10 ft 6 4i 12 4
Leave W1iaon.. 2 ft' 11 In 0 16 2 12
Lmv Hlm....... 1 o
L. Ky-tLeville.. 4 IS 1 07
Arrlv Fioreooe.. & III
f. M. A. M.
Leave GoldHboro . 7 00 1 10
L7.?.Mauo,,a- - )
Ar. Wlliul QKton 9 80 64
I A. M. F. U.
TRAlNa OOING NORTH.
(Corrected.) gg
Lv. Florence....... 8 4 8 .
Lv. Fayettevllle. 12 10 &a
Leave Blm 1 00
Arrive Wllun.. 1 42 12 Zl
F M-
P V A If '
Lv. Wilmington. 7 wi 9 ai
Lv. Maitnolla 8 11 02
Lv. Oolc'tKro... 9 Hu 12 06
Leave Wiliwn 1 1 10 ij i
Ar.Hocfcy Mouot Mj...... Xi ba 11 Oj I'M
Leave Tarboro... 12 12
Lv Rock y Mount 2 R'i 12 6
Arrive Wellon. 8 nu 1 k
P. M I ( 4. M P. M I
dt Dally except Monday. J Dally except 8un-
'rain on the Rcotland Neck Branch Road
leJ wldln at 4:10 p. m., Halifax 4:'8 p. m. ;
arrive Bootlaod Neck at 6:00 p. in., Green vlile
8-.o7 p. m., Ktnston 7:65 p. m. Returning,
leaves Klnnlon 7:20a. m Oreenvllle8:22a. m.;
arriving Halifax at ll.-oo a. Weldon 11:24
a. m. daily except Hnnday.
Trains on Washington Branch leave Wash
ington 8:00a. in. and 2:00 p. m., arrive Farmele
8:60 a. m. and 8:40 p. m., teturnlog leave Far
mele 9:60 a. m. and :W p. 111., arrive Wan
Ington U:2j a. m. and 7:20 p. in., dally except
Hnnday.
Train leaves Tarboro. N. C., dally, 6.-30 p.mi;
arrives Plymouth at 7:S6 p. m. Returning,
leaves Plymouth 7:80 a. m arrives Tarboro
vf a. m.
Train on Midland, N. C, Branch leaves
Goldnboro dally, except Hnnday, at 7.-00 a. m. t
arriving Hmltbfleld at 8:.W a. m. Returning,
lea ves ttml tb field at 9.-00 a. m. ; arrive at Gold
boro at 10:26 a. m.
Trains on Nashville Branch leaves Rocky
Mount at 4:JW p. rn.; arrives Nashville at 6:ii6
p. m.. Hprln Hope 6:.I0 p. m. Returning,
leaves Hpring Hope at H:00 a. m. Nuhtuf.
8:35 a. m.; arrive at Rocky Mount al 9:06 a. in.
dally, except Hunday. 1
Train on Clinton branch leaves Warsaw for
Clinton dally, except Hunday, at 11:10 a. m
and 8:45 p. in. Returning, leaves Clinton at'
7k a. m. and 8:00 p. m.
Tmln No. 78 makes close connection at Wet.
don for all points North dally, all rail via '
Richmond, also at Rocky Mount with Nor
folk and Carolina ltll road for Norfolk, and!
all points North via Noriol.
J -KKNLY, Oen'lHjipt, '
General Manager. i
T. M. KMKKHON,
TrmWn M.narr. t'
XL M. EMERSON, Genl rass. Agent, i
I