AS TO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

        The Attorney-General says: "Superintendents elected by the new board, in those counties where the old board retired under your advice, are the legal ones."

        The Township Trustees and their official duties are not affected in any way by the decision of the Supreme Court.

        The District Committees and their contracts with teachers are not touched by this decision.

        Certificates issued in accordance with the general school law by the County Superintendent, who was elected by the de facto Board of Directors, are good for one year from the date of their issue.

        In short, the school system will be carried on as it now is, except as to questions that may arise relative to the rights of certain individual officers, which can only be determined when all the facts in each case are known.

        No one regrets confusion in the operation of the public schools more than myself, and I think I can safely say that no one has labored more earnestly to avoid confusion than myself.

        The time must come when the work of public education will be regarded so sacred and of such grave importance that a successful political party will not dare to tamper with its progress; if this time never comes, then the public schools will never accomplish the purpose for which they were established.

        Official duties away from Raleigh and serious illness of my mother have caused delay in issuing this letter. Again I have endeavored to get at what is law and what is right in the matters referred to in this letter. If I have failed in either or both of these efforts, the failure has been an honest one.

Yours very truly,

C. H. MEBANE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
RALEIGH, December 20, 1899.

To the Members (Both the Old and the New) of the County School
Boards of North Carolina.

        GENTLEMEN:--I send you the following correspondence, in the first place, that you may know that the individual opinions of a member of either an old or a new board, will not affect in the least degree

the official actions of the head of this Department. While I am always glad to have your advice and suggestions as to what is best and wisest to be done in all matters pertaining to the great work of the public schools, still I wish for you and the public to know from this correspondence that I do not propose to be driven by any man or set of men to do otherwise than that which I believe to be my duty. In the second place, I wish to recall to your mind certain facts in regard to this Department which may have escaped your memory.

        After reciting the acts of the new board, all of which, of course, were known to this Department as well as the official acts of all the new boards throughout the entire State, Mr. Lawrence says:

        "And yet in the face of these facts, or ignorance of them, Mr. Mebane, you render your partisan judgment declaring the old County Board of Education as the 'legal Board of School Directors' for Hertford County.

        "In the face of these facts, or in ignorance of them, you request us to step down and turn over the reins of school government to our predecessors. We shall do no such thing. Claimants have abandoned their office, and we will not surrender to them until ousted by a judgment of the Supreme Court, or until our terms shall expire by limitation.

        "In your official letter recently published, you say, 'The time must come when the work of public education will be regarded so sacred and of such grave importance that a successful political party will not dare to tamper with its progress.'

        "The time must also come, Mr. Mebane, when partisan officials must retire from office and be relegated to the political backgrounds. The will of the people has long enough been thwarted, and so long as this practice is indulged in, there can be no material progress. The greatest curse of North Carolina to-day is the use of public office for partisan ends.

"Yours truly,

L. J. LAWRENCE."

        The following is a copy of the letter sent from this Department in reply to Mr. Lawrence:

L. J. Lawrence, Esq., Murfreesboro, N. C.

        DEAR SIR:--In reply to your letter of the 18th will say that I wish to refer you to the following facts, to-wit: That soon after the adjournment of the Legislature last March I sent an official letter to the County Boards of Education, from which I quote the following paragraphs:

        "I shall not attempt to decide as to the legality of this act of the

Legislature, but want to inform you that it is my earnest desire that you waive any legal right that you may feel that you have in this matter for the sake of the cause of public education.

        "The work of public education in North Carolina is bigger than any set of politicians or any political party. So I beg you for the sake of the great work to be done, not to throw any obstacles in the way that may in any way hinder the success of the law as enacted by the recent Legislature.

        "I advise you to meet with the County Board of Directors on second Monday in April, make a full, complete report of your work since July 1, 1898, and turn over all official records, books, etc., to the County Board of Directors in order that said Board of Directors may have as little trouble as possible to make out the annual report for the fiscal school year ending June 30, 1899."

        In response to this letter the County Boards of 90 counties of the State withdrew without any contest, so far as I know.

        I have used all the energies I possess to carry into full force and effect the will of the people as expressed by the Legislature in the General School Law of 1899.

        As a matter of administration, in order to avoid confusion in operating the schools, I have declared that all certificates issued in accordance with the General School Law, where there have been two County Superintendents acting in certain counties, are good for one year from the date of their issue. That all contracts with teachers must not be interfered with. That the Township Trustees and their official acts are not affected, and in every respect tried to carry into effect the law as enacted by the Legislature until action was taken in the Superior and the Supreme Courts of this State.

        The recent decisions of the Supreme Court and the instruction of the Attorney-General as to the effects of these decisions have made it my duty to recognize the old boards where said boards demand it, and I have no choice in the matter.

        I do not hesitate to say that I think it would cause much less confusion in public school affairs if the old boards would not ask to be recognized, and if they would allow the new boards to go on and finish up their year's work as they have started it.

        I can not afford to notice that part of your letter, which is personally very offensive to me, except to say that you are the one and only person out of about two million North Carolinians who has made the charge that I have used my high official position for partisan purposes.

        I leave this charge in the hands of the people of this State, and especially in the hands of the teachers who have known most of my work and who are most capable to judge of it.

        I shall still endeavor to do my duty in accordance with law and for the best interest of the children, regardless of your views upon these questions.

Yours very truly,

C. H. MEBANE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
RALEIGH, January 6, 1900.

To County Superintendents and Members of the County Boards of
Education.

        DEAR SIRS:--Among the many questions of anxious concern that I have had to deal with, one of these has been my earnest desire to have the special appropriation of $100,000 for the public schools.

        I wrote an official letter to the State Treasurer some months ago in regard to this appropriation. I have seen him in person three or four times and urged him to make special effort to pay this money when due. He assured me on each occasion that he would gladly pay the money if he had it when due, but could never give me any assurance that he would have the money. You, no doubt, have his official letter before this time, stating that he has not the money now, but that he hopes to have it in time for the Fall term of schools.

        This money was appropriated by the Legislature for the school year, beginning July 1, 1899, and ending June 30, 1900, and we must have this money on or before June 30, for the Spring term, and not for the Fall term.

        My advice to you is, that you go ahead and apportion this special appropriation to your respective townships, keeping a strict account of the amount of the special fund given to each township, and the Township Trustees in turn to keep a strict account of how much special fund they give to each individual school. This may cause the teachers to have a small bill of $15, $20, or $25 that may not be paid promptly at the close of the schools, but can be paid as soon as the County Treasurer receives the money from the State Treasurer.

        Of course, if the State Treasurer pays the money before the schools close, then there will be no delay in paying the teachers in full at the close of their schools.

        No one regrets the failure to receive the money promptly more than myself, as I have been exceedingly anxious that the last year of my term of office should show an increase in the length of school term, as well as an improvement in the quality of work done in the school room.

Yours very truly,

C. H. MEBANE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
RALEIGH, January 4, 1900.

To the Mayor of . . . . ., N. C.

        MY DEAR SIR:--Will you please answer the following questions and return to me at your earliest convenience:

        1. What is the population of your town? .....

        2. Have you a special tax for schools? .....

        3. What is the rate of your special tax on the hundred dollars valuation of property? .....

        4. If no special tax for schools, have you ever had an election for a spectial tax? .....

        5. Any special reason why the special tax was voted down? .....

        6. Have your people ever contemplated establishing Graded Schools, which is only another name for Public Schools?.....

        7. Will you have your local newspapers to publish the following section from the General School Law of 1899? .....

SEC. 76. CITY OR TOWNS MAY VOTE SPECIAL TAX. HOW LEVIED. SPECIAL
DISTRICT, ETC.

        In every incorporated city or town of not less than one thousand inhabitants, in which there is not now levied a special tax for schools, upon a petition signed by one-third of the freeholders therein, the Board of Aldermen or Town Commissioners of said city or town shall, at the date of the municipal or general election, next ensuing the presentation of said petition, order an election to be held to ascertain the will of the people whether there shall be levied in such city or town a special annual tax of not more than thirty cents on the one hundred dollars valuation of property and ninety cents on the poll to supplement the public school fund in such city or town. Said election shall be held in the different election precincts or wards under the law governing municipal or general election in said cities or towns. At said election, those who are in favor of the levy and collection of said tax shall vote a ticket on which shall be printed or written the words, "For Special Tax," and those who are opposed shall vote a ticket on which shall be printed or written the words, "Against Special Tax." In case a majority of the qualified voters at said election is in favor of said tax, the same shall be annually levied and collected in such city or town in the manner prescribed for the levy and collection of other city taxes: Provided, that all moneys levied under the provisions of this section shall, upon collection, be placed to the credit of the town school committee, composed of not less than five, nor more than seven members,

appointed by the Board of Aldermen, for said city or town, and shall be, by said committee, expended exclusively upon the public schools in said city or town: Provided, further, that there shall be but one school district in the said city or town in which there may be established one or more schools for each race, and the school committee shall apportion the money among said schools in such manner as in their judgment will equalize school facilities.

        The point I wish to impress upon you and your people is that you need not waste precious time in order to secure a special charter from the Legislature, but according to this Law you may have the special tax voted even before the Legislature meets in June.

        This closing year of the nineteenth century will go down in history as a landmark in the political history of our State for aggressive campaigns by the political parties, and it should also be marked by aggressive work for establishing schools in at least twenty-five of the rapidly growing towns of the State.

        I wish to assure you that if I can be of any service to you in establishing schools for your town, I will gladly do so.

Yours truly,

C. H. MEBANE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.

C. H. MEBANE,
S. P. I.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
RALEIGH, January 19, 1900.

To Private School Men and Friends Who are Interested in our Educational
History.

        DEAR SIRS:--On February 5, 1898, I sent a letter to the denominational and private schools of the State, asking them to take space in the Official Report of this Department at a nominal cost of $1.50 per page. In response to this quite a number of these colleges and schools agreed to take space, some only a few pages, others more.

        This report has gone into every State and Territory in the United States, to nearly every public library throughout the United States, to the college libraries, and one special bound volume to the Paris Exposition, so that I think it will be of great value to the institutions as well as to the State.

        I offer you the same terms as the others had to cover cost of printing, and hope that all the schools of any prominence that were

not represented in my former report will be represented in the next one.

        I want a short concise history of each school, and an outline of what has been done and is being done.

        Will be glad to insert cuts of the colleges and school buildings, faculties, etc.

        I ask your careful consideration of this matter and hope to have a reply at an early day as to how much space you will want.

        I desire to leave on record a history of all our schools and the work they are doing, for the good of the schools and for the good of the State, and for future generations.

        Do not put this matter off, because you think there is plenty of time. It takes a great deal of time to get the information together from the various parts of the State, hence I start out on this work at this early date.

        I shall also be very glad, if any of the "Old Schools" were overlooked in the sketches which were prepared by Dr. Battle in my last report, to have a sketch of such school or schools.

        Let no citizen wait for a personal invitation to write such a sketch, as I hereby extend a special request to anyone and all who know of any such schools, or if you can put me in communication with persons having valuable historical educational facts that should be preserved for future generations, I shall appreciate it very much.

        Just to-day I saw an interesting sketch in the Greensboro Telegram of a "Post-bellum High School."

        No doubt there are hundreds of such schools, sketches of which if not written soon will be lost forever so far as our educational history is concerned. No charges for sketches of schools not now in operation.

        I close this letter by asking the hearty co-operation of all private schools as to their history, and of all citizens in my efforts to secure valuable educational history that may be lost if not preserved in some official record like the Educational Report of this Department.

Yours truly,

C. H. MEBANE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
RALEIGH, January 24, 1900.

To the County Superintendent.

        DEAR SIR:--I refer you to the following words of section 39 of the School Law, last part: "The County Superintendent or Schools shall hold his examinations publicly, and may invite competent persons to assist him in such examinations. He shall keep a copy of

all examinations, questions, both public and private, and shall forward copies of the same to the State Superintendent upon request."

        In accordance with this law, I hereby request you to send me the set of questions used last October, and a set of questions you have used for a private examination.

        You will please make each set distinctly, so I can see at once which was the private examination and which was the public examination.

        It gives me pleasure to say that most of the County Superintendents are punctual in complying with my requests made from time to time, but some few have been somewhat remiss in this respect. I wish to refer those who have been negligent to the words of the law quoted above: "shall forward," etc.

        The reason I wish to have these questions, is, I want to see what standard of scholarship is required by the different county superintendents in the various counties throughout the State. Hoping to have a prompt response from all the counties, I am,

Yours truly,

C. H. MEBANE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
RALEIGH, February 28, 1900.

To the County Superintendent.

        DEAR SIR:--This is to say to you that I have decided that the special appropriation of $100,000 is to go to the benefit of the children direct, without any shaving down by commissions for County Treasurers or other officials.

        I am quite sure the Legislature intended for this special appropriation to go direct to the children, and urge you and your County Board of Directors to see that this is done.

        If the Legislature and the people are willing to give this special fund for the special benefit of the children, then the County Treasurers can surely handle this special money without a commission.

        This letter is written in response to County Superintendents, who are making efforts to have the special fund handled without any cost to the children.

        It may be that some County Treasurers are not demanding a commission, but the cases referred to are from counties where the demand has been made.

Yours truly,

C. H. MEBANE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
RALEIGH, March 12, 1900.

To the County Superintendent.

        DEAR SIR:--You will please inform the teachers of your county, through the county newspaper, or otherwise, that the next annual examination for life certificates will be held at the court-house on the second Thursday in July.

        Questions have been prepared by the State Board of Examiners upon the following subjects, to-wit: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geography, Physical Geography, Physiology, History, Civil Government, School Law, English Grammar, English Literature, Elementary Botany, Elementary Psychology, and Elementary Physics.

        These questions will be forwarded in due time to you, as they are now in the hands of the State printer.

        You will see under section 75 of School Law, that each applicant must pay in advance to you, the County Superintendent of Schools, the sum of five dollars, which must be reported to the County Board of School Directors and paid into the general school fund of the county.

        This letter is written to you because numerous inquiries are coming to this office from young teachers, who are interested; it is, therefore, well to inform the general public of your county, upon this subject at this time.

Very truly,

C. H. MEBANE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
RALEIGH, May 24, 1900.

To the County Superintendent and Members of the Board of School
Directors.

        DEAR SIRS:--I wish to refer you to section 19 of the School Law. which is as follows:

        "The County Board of School Directors of any county may annually appropriate an amount not exceeding fifty dollars out of the school funds of the county for the purpose of conducting one or more Teachers' Institutes for said county; or the County Boards of School Directors of two or more adjoining counties may appropriate an amount not exceeding fifty dollars to each county, for the purpose of conducting a Teachers' Institute for said counties, at some convenient and satisfactory point, and the public school teachers of the said county or counties are required to attend said institute, unless prevented from attending by sickness or other good cause. A County

Teachers' Institute under this section shall be conducted by the County Superintendent of Schools, assisted by some member of the State Board of Examiners, or a member of the faculty of the normal department of the University of North Carolina, or the State Normal and Industrial College, or of the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Raleigh, or by some practical teacher appointed by said State Board of Examiners: Provided, that the local and traveling expenses of the persons thus appointed shall be paid out of the general public school fund of the county by order of the County Board of School Directors: Provided, that the Teachers' Institutes shall be held for the white race and the colored race separate and apart from each other."

        It does seem to me that the time has come for members of every County Board of School Directors to realize that they must do all they possibly can to help the teachers of their respective counties to better prepare themselves for their important work.

        So, my friends, the question of a County Institute once a year ought to be an established fact, and the only questions with you in regard to it should be: How may we have the best Institute? How may we best serve the teachers' needs of our county? How may what we do this year add to what we did last year and prepare the way for what we expect to do next year?

        Send your requests in for men as leaders in the work. Professors McIver, Joyner and Claxton, of the Normal and Industrial College, can and will serve several counties. The Agricultural and Mechanical College professors are also required to do some of this work, and if these can not supply all the demands, we have good educators whose services can be had for a small compensation. Let us have an educational awakening in County Institute work. Our public school teachers have not the means to go off to Summer Schools, but all can attend a County Institute and get new life, new zeal and new inspiration in the work.

        Will you not do this much for the teachers of your county?

Yours truly,

C. H. MEBANE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
RALEIGH, September 26, 1900.

To the County Superintendent.

        I still have some inqueries in regard to combining the public schools with denominational schools, and, therefore, write you in substance what I wrote the County Supervisors during the year 1898.

        I think it best for the committee always to provide a public school lot and building.

        The spirit of all our laws seem to be against combining church and state in any way.

        When the public school is combined with a denominational school the best interest of the public school can rarely, if ever, be served.

        The public school will not have the support of all the people when united with the church school.

        The public schools are for all the people, supported by all the people, and must serve all the people by giving instruction without any regard to denominations or churches.

        The law provides for combining public schools with private, but I do not think this, in any sense, means denominational or church schools.

        Therefore, my instruction to you as County Superintendent is that you do not combine public schools with denominational schools.

        I am aware that these church schools have well prepared teachers, but, notwithstanding this, the primary object for which they are employed is to benefit the church, and in every community we find some parents who will not send their children because the school is under church influence other than their own.

        We must not have any hindrance or objections to our public schools that may be easily avoided. We must have the united support of the people in the public school work if the work is ever to be and to accomplish what it should.

Yours truly,

C. H. MEBANE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.

CONDITION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS REPORTED BY
THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
RALEIGH, . . . . .

To the County Superintendents of Schools.

        DEAR SIR:--I wish you to write me an official letter for publication in my next Educational Report. Want you to give me the condition of educational affairs in your county. Please write the situation briefly, candidly and plainly, just as it is, so that the people of the present and those of the future may know the true condition during the school year 1899 and 1900.

        Would like to have any plans or suggestions you may have for the improvement of our public schools. With such limited means as we have in this State, it is absolutely necessary to exercise the greatest wisdom and prudence in the operation of our schools. It is somewhat like a father having ten children to feed with only food enough for five, and yet he must not let one perish. Our children have not educational food enough for even one-half of them, and yet they must live--must be the future citizens of North Carolina.

        The more I see of this great work, the more awful the responsibility of those who operate the public schools appears to me. I would remind you that your responsibilities are even greater than they were a year ago, and will increase as the years go by. May you increase in wisdom and power as your work grows; may you not only grow with the work, but may you make the work grow. Remember that you are the fountain, so to speak, from which must come the life and inspiration of your teachers. See to it that you prove yourself a leader worthy of the great cause you represent.

        Hoping to have a prompt response to this letter, I am, with best wishes and kindly feelings,

Yours truly,

C. H. MEBANE,
Superintendent Public Instruction.

WINDSOR, N. C., November, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, State Superintendent Public Instruction, Raleigh,
N. C.

        MY DEAR SIR:--In response to your request, I beg leave to say, Bertie County is not lagging in the work and interest of schools. About one year ago we held an Institute for white teachers, conducted by Prof. P. P. Claxton, of the State Normal. About sixty

teachers were in attendance. Prof. Claxton proved himself a workman of whom we are not ashamed, and I am sure that much good was the result of his work among us.

        Bertie was one of the first counties of the State to organize a Teachers' Association (ten years ago). We keep them going. They are attended not only by the greater part of our teachers, but by large masses of our country people. Indeed, we endeavor to make these meetings the best known means of reaching the parents of our children, since we have long ago learned that an interested parentage is the best stimulus to larger attendance upon our schools. We think about two well-conducted meetings of this character, each year, would be sufficient. We consider them chiefly as educational rallies. We believe they should be in active operation in each county in the State.

        One of the most pleasant, and, we think, profitable parts of the County Superintendent's work is an annual committeeman's day. At this time census papers are given out, and all necessary instructions, interchange of opinions, etc., etc., are made, whereby the entire school work of the county is brought together and unified. The officers of the work are drawn closer together and good otherwise done. Let the first Monday in August be the day.

        Arbor Day is appointed in this county to be on Friday before Christmas, at which time the teachers, children, committeemen and patrons of the various schools are requested to meet at their respective school houses and put the grounds in nice condition; trim up existing trees, plant out needed ones, and in any other way beautify the place. The children should at the same time give some entertaining exercises.

        While the grade of our teachers is not altogether as good as we would desire, yet we believe, upon the whole, they will average well up with those of other counties. They are selected largely for their moral, as well as intellectual worth, together as to capacity and aptness to impart instruction. Teachers found to be inefficient in their work are soon set aside, or not employed again. This is done in response to our advice to committeemen.

        For the past few years we have been issuing an annual salutation, or reminder of duty, to our teachers and committee. We believe it is productive of some good.

        In comparing our annual reports for the past two years, we are much gratified to find that both the average, as to enrollment and attendance, upon our schools for the past year, were at least eight per cent better than the year before; also an encouraging increase in length of term. This we look upon as a hopeful feature.

        We encourage public school closings. It is the best way we know

whereby to reach our people in all sections of the county to get them interested and more intimately associated with the work of the teachers. How many bright boys and girls make a start in life from the result of public recitations! Therefore, we say, give them full scope.

        It has been suggested that we not only have public closings, but also have public openings. We think it a good idea. It would bring teachers, children and parents together in the beginning of the work, thereby being calculated to hold the educational influence of the community closer together during the term. Start right and success is always assured.

        The condition of our school buildings is being much improved. Many of them are neatly painted and ceiled inside, with good desks and benches. This part of the work is especially gratifying to us.

        At present our county has quite a number of private, high, or academy schools, all of which are being well patronized. Although we believe that our people have not yet learned to appreciate the value of these "middle ground" schools," to that degree which they should.

        We have on foot a plan whereby we may be enabled to contribute one-fourth to any school which will otherwise raise three-fourths, thus lengthening out the term one month. This plan was suggested by a donation from some Northern friend. It now only remains that our people should add to and perpetuate the fund.

        During the past Spring sessions of our schools, we were impressed with the idea of inaugurating a work among the children by which a fund should be raised by all the children of the State, sufficient in amount to erect in the Capitol Square at Raleigh, a monument to the memory of that great and good man, friend of the children and apostle of public education, Calvin H. Wiley. Thus far, every school to which we have mentioned the matter has responded with a voluntary collection, averaging in amount fifty cents to each school. This simple effort has convinced us that this work is practical and possible within the next six months. There are nearly eight thousand public schools in the State, and at an average of fifty cents each would amount to about $4,000. The hundreds of private schools and academies could and would supplement this by at least $1,000 more, thus making $5,000, an amount sufficient to build the monument and statue to this worthy man, who did so much in fashioning the better part of the history of North Carolina. We repeat, this work should be done only by the children of the State. Then why not get about it and accomplish it at once, and call it a "Twentieth Century Labor of Love, by the Children?" Bertie County will pledge her fifty cents each from her one hundred and twenty schools. We propose putting this work in motion throughout the State by our

County Superintendents, and through them to the teachers and children. It is an easy work and can be done only by the asking. It can, it must be accomplished.

        In conclusion, justice compels me to say, that the attentive, earnest and laborious work of our present outgoing State Superintendent has infused life, energy and a quickened impulse in every feature of the public educational work in North Carolina. Surely his work will testify as to his fitness for the position. May his successor take up the work and carry it on with equal success.

        With best wishes for success in your future work, I am,

Yours truly,

R. W. ASKEW,
Superintendent of Bertie County.

OFFICIAL LETTER.

HICKORY, N. C., November 27, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, Superintendent of Public Instruction.

        Catawba County is making some progress along educational lines. Since July, 1899, we have organized a Teachers' Professional Library, which numbers more than forty volumes; also we have a reading circle with sixty members.

        Educational Foundations is the leading journal of this circle.

        Two Teachers' Institutes have been held, and were well attended. We have a Teachers' Association, which meets monthly, and is well attended. This Association was organized about three years ago, but has been meeting monthly only since September, 1900. No teachers' certificates are endorsed; an examination has been required each year.

        The most encouraging indication for increasing progress is the increased amount of professional literature among the teachers. This has increased about fourfold since July, 1899.

        Public education is in a fair condition in this county, but there is room for much improvement.

Very respectfully,

A. P. WHISENHUNT,
Superintendent of Catawba County.

NEW BERN, N. C., July 23, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE.

        DEAR SIR:--The schools of Craven County, considering their financial capacity, are good. We have an admirable body of teachers, many sent into the ranks from our best colleges and high schools, and encouraging progress is being made every year. I do not think,

however, that such frequent changes in the school machinery is good. And I am certain that nothing can be made to take the place of many in the educational work of this land. First-class men can not be induced to give their time, talents and culture to the State without compensation. If our people want the best schools, they must pay the best prices. Having spent a few weeks of each year among the richly endowed schools of the North, I know this to be true. I have, nevertheless, the brightest hopes for our future.

Very respectfully yours,

JOHN S. LONG.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY OF ALAMANCE.

        There has been some advancement made in this county in the qualification of the teachers and the school-houses within the last few years, but there is great want of interest in public education among the people. More than one-half of the children in the county were not in school last year. I suggest that a law should be passed prohibiting the employment of children under 12 years in cotton mills, and that will compel parents and guardians to keep all children under 15 years in school at least five years before they reach the age of 15.

        I do not believe we will ever reduce the illiteracy existing in this county or State until we have compulsory law on this subject.

Very truly,

W. S. LONG,
Superintendent.

CEDAR GROVE, Orange County, N. C., July 27, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, State Superintendent Public Instruction.

        DEAR SIR:--In compliance with your request, I submit the following in regard to the public schools in Orange County:

        Much more interest is now being taken in public education than ever before. Our average length of term has increased from eight weeks, in former years, to sixteen weeks, the school year just passed. Both the enrollment and average attendance have increased in like proportion. We have a very efficient corps of teachers--many very excellent ones. Houses and furniture are not so good as I could wish, but we are having built, every year, some very good houses. Ours is generally a rural population, with no cities or large towns, and consequently the grouping of a large number of children into one school is almost impossible. Yet some of the very best schools I have seen are found in these remote, isolated districts, sparsely populated, not more than fifty children of school age in the district,

and yet having an average attendance of thirty-five or forty, and even more.

        As to legislation needed, I would recommend the discontinuance of Township Trustees. Three-fourths of the disturbances are traceable to their arbitrary rulings. They are too near, and are influenced by the local pressure always brought to bear on them. The power given to them can be more wisely exercised by the Board of Directors, who are not so apt to yield to local pressure. The local committeemen should not be allowed to have any school commence until the money to pay for it is actually to the credit of the district on the books of the Treasurer. This teaching, "on credit," causes much trouble in many ways; neither should committees employ a teacher who has not a "live" certificate in the county where he proposes to teach. Committeemen should be displaced as well as the teachers who do this. More safeguards should be thrown around the children's money in those districts where the committees contract with the principal of a high school, and especially church schools.

        Some adequate and simple provision should be made for replacing the old log houses with comfortable frame houses and modern furniture.

        The County Superintendent should be required to visit each school at least once during the term, not to make speeches on holiday occasions, but to see the school in its "every-day" garb. Advise with the teacher and patrons in a quiet way, as to the needs and best interests of the school. Much has been, and can be accomplished in this quiet way, where a speech would do no earthly good.

        As to increasing the length of term, I would submit the following:

        Have the white and negro districts separate as to territory, and separate in every other way--Districts No. 1, 2, 3, etc.--white and colored not covering the same territory. Then give each child, white and colored, say $1.00 yearly; make the school district (not township) the unit before the law, and if any school district, white or colored, will raise, by voluntary subscription, another dollar for each child in said district and pay the amount of said voluntary subscription into the hands of the County Treasurer, and take his receipt therefor, then the State Treasurer to duplicate this amount in favor of said district, let it be white or colored. This will remove the prejudice against local taxation on account of the negro, and I would almost guarantee that three-fourths of the white school districts would tax themselves in this way, and willingly, because the negro would not be in the way. The amount of 75 cents (instead of one dollar) per capita would run our schools six or seven months during the year.

        The duties and powers of the County Boards of Directors should be more clearly defined, so that all can understand them.

        I would suggest that the State Board of Examiners furnish all questions, grade all manuscript, and issue all certificates to first-grade teachers; that general history and current events (news of the world) should be added to the list of studies, or topics, now required; that the County Superintendents submit the examinations and forward the papers; that County Superintendents furnish questions for and examine second-grade teachers, and that the salaries of such second-grade teachers shall not exceed $20.00 per month.

Yours respectfully,

JOHN THOMPSON,
County Superintendent Orange County.

JACKSONVILLE, N. C., July 28, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE.

        DEAR SIR:--In response to your request for a short official letter in regard to the public schools of Onslow County, I will say that after the Civil War it took a long time to get our schools on anything like a permanent basis, as you well know. We will begin with the condition of the schools in 1885. In 1885 there were in the county of school age 2,400 white children, with an enrollment of about 1,200, or one-half. In 1900, there are of school age 2,700, with an enrollment of 1,800, or two-thirds of the total, as against one-half in 1885. In 1885, there were only 27 public school-houses, valued at $1,700, while in 1900, there are 39 houses, valued at $2,400. In 1885, the total disbursements amounted to about $3,000 in the county, while in 1900 they amount to about $5,000. In 1885, there was only one good public record in the county, while in 1900 there are three, two of which have been established within the past two years, with a number of others that supplement their public term by from one to three months' private school.

        While the progress has not been so rapid in this county as it has perhaps been in some other sections of the State, I think it has been at least healthy.

        I believe that our teachers will compare favorably with those of any county in the State, in which there is no large town or city.

        In 1885, we had no organized systm of teaching. In 1900, every teacher in the county knows the general system upon which every school in the county is conducted or taught. (All this relates to white schools.)

        In 1885, a teacher read nothing but what he bought individually, and I know that was but little--I don't believe it would have averaged one volume per teacher in a year. In 1900, we have a good,

though small library, which is supported in the main by teachers, at least nine-tenths of the teachers give it their support, and it is supported in part by others also than teachers. It has received $100 support in the past year, which is the first year of its existence. While the above facts all go to show, in my opinion, that the schools are doing well, considering with what they have to work, etc., they are not near what they should be. They need a broader base. If the North Carolina Legislature would vote about $500,000 a year for a few years with which to endow the public schools, say give the public schools $200,000 a year, and let the other $300,000 per year go to build, equip and endow a normal university for teachers only, and then pass a law that no one should teach in a public school except one bearing a certificate from that university that he is qualified to teach school, and let that certificate permit him to teach anywhere in the State (of course the tuition would have to be free and a part of the board also), then we may look for good teachers and better houses, and better filled houses. Then a compulsory law, if necessary, which necessity I doubt, will be in order.

Yours truly,

A. W. COOPER,
County Superintendent.

CONCORD, N. C., July 25, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, Raleigh, N. C.

        DEAR SIR:--In compliance with your request for a statement of the condition of educational affairs in this county, I would submit the following:

        The attendance is neither full nor regular. I am not prepared to suggest the best remedy for this. To me, it appears that the greatest fault in our schools is the low grading of the teachers, thereby setting a premium on inefficiency. I advocate raising the second grade about to where our first now is. Make a first grade hard to get, and pay salary enough to justify competent persons to teach a public school. To do this, it would be necessary to educate the patrons to see that a $20 horse, though a horse, is not as valuable as one worth $100. Such action would not make a teacher who now holds first, but later holds second, any worse teacher. It would merely open the door to many men and women, who to-day are kept out of the profession by having to compete with those less competent under the same grade and at a low salary.

Yours very truly,

W. W. MORRIS,
Superintendent of Public Schools Cabarrus County.

SWAN QUARTER, N. C., July 24, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, Superintendent Public Instruction, Raleigh,
N. C.

        DEAR SIR:--In reply to your favor of the 18th inst., I cheerfully comply with your request, and give a truthful statement as to the condition of the public schools of Hyde County.

        After the Civil War many of our best people were slow to move in the cause of public education on account of their race prejudice and contempt they had for the Union soldiers, born among us, who visited their old homes with Yankee raids and assisted in the despoilation and plunder of their neighbors' houses.

        Foolish as it may seem, the teachers were taken where they could be found and seemingly were interested in their work only to get the money there was in it, the wealthy class employing teachers to teach their children independent of the detested free schools, as they were termed.

        The public schools have done more good and the money has been more wisely and judiciously expended than the foes of public education are willing to admit, notwithstanding there are scores of thrifty homes where the heads of the family possess quite a degree of intelligence, though they only attended the neighborhood public schools.

        A great change has taken place in favor of the public schools. Hon. John C. Scarboro, Major Finger and yourself, by foot-notes in the school pamphlets and circular letters to the County Superintendent, Board of Education, and school committeemen, have had their influence for good. To-day we stand head and shoulders with most of the counties in the State as to competent teachers. Many of our teachers are college trained, and quite a number of them are young ladies, full-fledged graduates, whose fathers are the wealthier citizens, and the schools are being patronized by everybody.

        In many of the school districts we have nice houses, and all the houses are comfortable for both winter and summer schools. Private and public schools are taught in connection in many communities, and in such cases we have from six to eight-month schools.

        The greatest complaint comes from the whites, who say they pay all the taxes and the negro pays but little and gets his pro rata. I shall stand by the guns, hopeful that the dawn of the twentieth century will open our eyes to the necessity or an educated citizenship, which must come through a well-conducted system of public schools.

        Our County Board of Education are men of learning and good

judgment, one of them a practicing lawyer, the other two successful farmers, all of whom are interested in popular education.

        In conclusion, we are in as good shape as we can reasonably hope for.

Very truly,

J. M. WATSON,
County Superintendent of Schools.

MANTEO, N. C., July 25, 1900.

C. H. MEBANE, Superintendent Public Instruction.

        DEAR SIR:--In response to your circular letter of the 18th inst., will say that the schools in Dare County are much better than ever before. By hard work and persistent efforts, we have raised our standard of teachers and teaching. The School Laws of 1899, regulating the school system, works a hardship on the various school officials of this county. We would love to have it changed so the School Trustees would not be in the way. The geography of our county is very peculiar. Dare is one of the largest counties in North Carolina, but nine-tenths of it is covered with water and uninhabited.

        I think a good plan for Dare would be to do away with every school official except the Board of Education and County Superintendent.

        Give the Superintendent charge of the teachers and the schools to a certain extent. Let him employ and discharge teachers for the various districts, audit and sign all vouchers, have a finance committee of one in each district to look after the property, and report census, etc. The Superintendent should be a practical teacher and a worker. He should be paid a salary for the six months he is engaged in having the schools taught. The money that is taken out of the school fund to pay expenses of the Board of Education will pay the Superintendent, and the board to meet twice to apportion the money for the children and transact other semi-annual business.

        A similar plan for Congressional or Judicial Districts would be best for the State. I argued this very question before the Committee on Education in 1887, and I believe it is the only key to the solution of the "starving family." This is not the full plan, but a mere sketch, and I hope to see it developed.

        With congratulations for your untiring and earnest efforts to educate the boys and girls of North Carolina, I am,

Very respectfully yours, etc.,

F. P. GATES.

WHITEVILLE, N. C., November 3, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, Raleigh, N. C.

        DEAR SIR:--In answer to your circular letter asking for information on the condition of educational affairs in Columbus County, I would say that the situation is encouraging, but not very encouraging.

        There has been an increase in the per capita amount received for the public schools, but this county is too thinly populated and yet too far back in material developments, to bring the schools up to what we would wish them to be. The public money gives us an average of only about two and three-fourth months of school, and there are very few districts in the county where the public money is supplemented with subscriptions. But worst of all, there are very many parents who do not give their children the benefit of such public schools as they have, perhaps one-fourth of the children in the county do not attend school.

        It seems to me that the best way to improve our public schools, is to get the people more interested in education. This, I think, could be done if there were more talks made at the various school-houses, on the subject of education. As a rule, our teachers are competent; but in some parts there is a tendency to employ the cheapest teachers, and on this account there is often money wasted on incompetent teachers. Our people need to be shown the importance of education, and they need to be shown what real education is before we can expect them to be as careful as they ought in selecting their teachers.

        I fear that this will be too late for you, but oversight is the cause of the delay, which I hope you will excuse.

Respectfully yours,

L. W. STANLY,
County Superintendent of Schools for Columbus County.

CROUSE, N. C., October 25, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, Raleigh, N. C.

        DEAR SIR:--We organized two Teachers' Associations in Lincoln County last year, one for the white teachers, and the other for the colored. They were not as largely attended as they should have been. We are now organizing one for each township. Our plan is to extend a cordial invitation to all people to meet with us and to hold each meeting in a different district, and thus by coming in contact with the masses to excite an educational interest over the entire county.

        We held two Institutes (each one week in length) last August, one

for the white, the other for the colored teachers; that for the white was attended by seventy teachers; that for the colored by nineteen teachers.

        In the one, the Superintendent had the assistance of Professors F.H. Curtiss, Superintendent City Schools, Mount Airy, N. C.; J. N. Hauss, City Schools, Jackson, Tenn. In the other, Miss Fannie Thompson, graduate of Scotia Seminary, Concord, N. C.

        The Institute also enjoyed an instructive lecture by Hon. C. H. Mebane, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

        They were the best attended Institutes ever held in the county, and much interest was taken in the work by the teachers of both races. There is no doubt that the eighty-nine teachers who attended the Institutes were greatly benefited and will go forth to their respective works with greater zeal and a renewed determination to teach better schools than ever before.

        The general condition of the public schools in this county is gradually improving. The enrollment and average daily attendance were larger and term longer last winter than heretofore. I feel safe in saying our corps of teachers are better qualified than ever before. Many of the small shabby houses have, in recent years, been torn down and replaced by spacious and well-built frame ones, and in a few instances by brick ones; though too many of these old, dingy buildings with inadequate supplies still exist. Under such circumstances no teacher can show results.

        There are several high schools in the county running from seven to nine months in the year. In the town of Lincolnton is a commodious brick structure, two stories high, where three teachers are employed, and many boarding students attend school.

        The school census report shows an average of seventy-six white children of school age to the district in Lincoln County; an average enrollment of forty-eight pupils; an average daily attendance of thirty-one for the entire term. Certainly this is not what it should be. And since the Constitution has been amended by requiring an educational qualification after 1908 to vote, we have every reason to believe that the average daily attendance will be largely increased. Then it is evident that many school-houses must be enlarged and at many places two teachers employed. While the present School Law favors the plan of large schools, the almost inevitable practice is to divide up and create new districts for the sake of convenience. Township Trustees should see to it that new districts are not established for the special benefit and convenience of a few influential families, but that the greatest good to the greatest number of children be the controlling motive in all the changes. We must admit, however, that the plan of small districts has the advantage of securing the

maximum attendance, since the children must go a shorter distance through the inclement wintry weather to reach school. But as a general thing it would be attended by the unfortunate condition of small shabby houses, inadequate school supplies, and short terms.

        When we consider the fact that of the 600,000 children of school age in North Carolina, about 200,000 do not attend any school, and of the nearly 6,000 in this county, 2,000 do not attend school, we are almost forced to the conclusion that the wise thing to do is to enact a mild compulsory attendance law. These stupendous figures of illiteracy blazoned upon the pages of our statistical manuals leave a blot upon the good name of our great State, however grand her achievements in other respects. And dear, substantial Lincoln County, whose sons are famed for their soundness in legal love, and for their military bravery, tact and skill on the battle-field, must bear her full share of the stain.

        One or two good high schools in every township in the county are badly needed for the convenience of poor boys and girls, who have completed the free-school course, and are not able to leave home and pay for board and tuition. There is too great a gulf between the public schools and the high schools. Schools of higher grade need to be more plentiful and cheaper, so as to bridge over the separation. With such improvement thousands of bright pupils in the State, who annually cease to make any further efforts to procure an education when they have finished the public school course, would continue in school until they obtain a thorough education, and thus in all probability become potent factors in the upbuilding of church and State.

        In this county our supremest need is money, more money. Instead of a three-and-a-half-months' school, we should have six or seven. Let the State do her duty and the county do her's and these conditions will vanish like darkness before sunshine. The time has come for broader conscience and wider vision, larger policies and more enduring systems. The day of larger and better things should begin to dawn upon our fair State. Let the people be aroused and made to feel "in heart and nerve, and blood" the importance of educating all the children, and then we will move grandly forward.

Yours very truly,

G. T. HEAFNER,
Superintendent of Schools of Lincoln County.

DALLAS, N. C., August 30, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, State Superintendent.

        DEAR SIR:--In complying with your request for a statement of the conditions of our schools in Gaston County, I will say, that to a man in my position, eagerly watching the slow progress and the discouragement connected with our public schools, it is not a very inspiring

theme to write about; and yet we have made some perceptible improvement. We have about reached the constitutional requirement of four months' term, and I am sure there is some improvement in the quality of our schools. I have tried to hold up the standard of our teachers, both intellectually and morally. In the towns and villages of the county which are, we may say, all factory towns, the factory authorities frequently supplement the schools and furnish a free school for most of the year, so I have about concluded that we do not now seriously need more schools or longer terms. Indeed I am thoroughly convinced that if we had not quite so many schools we would have a little longer term and a little better schools. The farming communities can not well use more than four months--or at least will not--and in many cases they even divide this into a winter and a summer school, in my opinion a most ruinous policy.

        The length of the term we have is sufficient to enable every child to "read, write and cipher," and when they learn well these three "R's.," we will have made good progress. I do not mean our learning should be confined to these, but it does seem to me that under our present conditions and stage of progress these, with the necessary preliminary spelling, are the essentials, and that instead of scattering over a dozen subjects we should stress more these fundamentals, leaving some of the other subjects for later introduction.

        But as I look at it, the great need of our schools is to get the children in them. The average attendance on our schools is about three-eighths of the school population. It costs about $1.17 per scholar per month to teach them, when perhaps half as many more could be just as well taught at same expense. The people are not enthusiastic over a system that so signally fails to reach so many of the children--and those are the very ones most needing it, for, as a rule those who now attend, except the colored children, would go to school and pay for it less per scholar in private schools than it is costing now.

        I think our next crusade in the cause should be just here at the very base of the system. And for years I have been urging our teachers, for the love of the children, to make missionaries of themselves and gather them in.

        A hasty statement like this I know may easily be misunderstood. I am heartily in favor of progress. I am impatient with the tardy step with which we are going and I believe in enlarging the system just as fast as our real progress permits, but th children can not be taught unless they go to the schools, nor will the people be thoroughly interested till they see the schools more nearly accomplishing their intended work. I am happy to acknowledge your courtesy, your faithful energy, and zeal in the cause, and allow me to express my regrets that, having learned so well the needs of the schools, you must leave us just when you are better than ever prepared to help us.

Yours truly,

L. M. HOFFMAN,
County Superintendent Gaston County.

HERTFORD, N. C., August 10, 1900.

C. H. MEBANE, State Superintendent Public Instruction, Raleigh,
N. C.

        DEAR SIR:--The condition of the schools of this (Perquimans) county for the scholastic year ending June 30,1900, was generally satisfactory.

        With few exceptions, I think as much was accomplished as could well have been done with the means and appliances at hand.

        Many of the schools were in session full four months, as required by law, and the teachers were generally efficient and alive to their work, but the attendance was not as good as I desired.

        For geographical reasons many of our school districts are small; this, of course, lessens the amount appropriated to each school and shortens the average of school term.

        I see little prospect of marked improvement in our public schools until the people agree to submit to additional taxation, and our Legislature shall have passed a law making the attendance of all children between the ages of 6 and 16 years compulsory.

        The necessity for many small school districts could be obviated by furnishing transportation for those who live too far from the school-house to walk. I think this plan merits consideration.

        There seems to be too much machinery in the present School Law; Fewer bearings would diminish friction.

        As you request that I make my letter brief, I have merely made a few suggestions.

Very respectfully,

W. G. GAITHER,
County Superintendent.

SHELBY, N. C., August 22, 1900.

C. H. MEBANE, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Raleigh, N. C.

        HON. SIR:--At your request, I write you the condition of the educational affairs in Cleveland County.

        I am glad to say that all our public schools have made substantial advancement during the school year of 1899 and 1900. The instruction, as a rule, has been more thorough and practical; the average daily attendance has been the best on record, and the general interests of pupils, teachers, patrons and school officers show a decided improvement.

        So Cleveland County is educationally alive, and the present interests indicate that we are going to get liver, and that we shall never forget your proficient work and interests as State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Respectfully,

J. A. ANTHONY,
Superintendent Public Instruction of Cleveland County.

CASTORIA, N. C., July 25, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, Raleigh, N. C.

        MY DEAR SIR:--In reply to yours of the 18th, would say that the greatest difficulty we have had to contend with in our public schools has been the lack of interest on the part of the parents. The widespread belief that the public schools are inefficient has tended, to a great extent, to make them so, and has rendered possible the evil of the teacher who is satisfied simply to "teach out the money."

        For the past three years we have been conducting a special crusade to eradicate this evil, believing that when the proper interest was awakened in the minds of the people the question of an increased appropriation would settle itself.

        I am glad to announce to you that our efforts have met with gratifying results in the awakened interest and the increase average attendance of our children.

        Yours in the interest of the public schools,

FRED L. CARR,
County Superintendent Greene County.

DANBURY, N. C., August 21, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, Superintendent Public Instruction, Raleigh, N. C.

        DEAR SIR:--In reply to your inquiry of the 18th ult., which was missent, I beg leave to say that, although Stokes is not in the front rank with some of her other sister counties in an educational point of view, yet the public schools are rapidly improving.

        We held an Institute last year and such deep interest was manifested that we were encouraged to hold another this summer with largely increased attendance and interest.

        I am striving to raise the standard of scholarship in this county.

        Quite a number of school-houses are in course of construction, nearly all of which are of a better class of buildings than formerly.

        For the past year the general enrollment of pupils was far greater than ever before, while the average attendance increased sixteen and two-thirds per cent. Taking all things into consideration, I think the sentiment in favor of public schools has been strengthened and the schools generally are in a more prosperous condition than ever before. The provisions in our School Law for the township as a unit, and for Township, Trustees, operate against us in this county.

        Our townships are very irregular and intersected by one large river, numerous large creeks and mountains. It works quite a hardship to many of our children in nearly all portions of the county to be controlled by township lines.

        And further, my experience with the various Boards of Trustees has not been very flattering in many instances. They, receiving no pecuniary compensation for their services, are in many instances so negligent and slow to act as to impede the progress of the schools in their townships.

        I am of the opinion that the Board of School Directors would do that service with much more satisfaction to all. I am,

Very respectfully, your humble servant,

W. B. HARRIS,
Superintendent School, Stokes County.

OFFICE OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
BEAUFORT COUNTY,
WASHINGTON, N. C., August 10, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE.

        DEAR SIR:--Your letter of July 18th, with the request that I write you an official letter for publication in your Educational Report, would have received earlier attention, but for my absence from home.

        The condition of educational affairs in Beaufort County is, I think, upon the whole, encouraging. I am sure that the interest manifested in public schools is greater than in former years; that the teachers are better prepared, and that the work done by them is not only of a better grade, more thorough and systematic, but that their work is being more highly appreciated, and that the public schools have greatly increased in public estimation.

        One of the greatest hindrances to the success of our schools is the inability, or the unwillingness, of some patrons to supply their children with text-books, and the disposition on the part of some District School Committees not to teach out the whole term apportioned in one continued term, but to stop the schools whenever the children are needed for farm work, and teach out the balance of their apportionment at another time. I have done all in my power to prevent this waste of public money, and this injury to the children of the county. I have been connected with public schools for many years, and realize the responsibility of which you speak as resting upon the County Superintendent of Schools.

        Permit me to say, sir, that, in my humble opinion, you deserve the sincere thanks, not only of the children, but of all friends of education, for your able, wise and faithful efforts to advance the interests of a great cause. I believe, sir, that since the day you became Superintendent of Public Instruction, you have discharged not only most courteously, but faithfully and impartially, the responsibilities and duties of your high office.

        With best wishes and my high regard, I am,

Yours truly,

NATHANIEL HARDING,
County Superintendent of Schools, Beaufort County.

MARSHALL, N. C., August 3, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, Superintendent Public Instruction, Raleigh, N. C.

        DEAR SIR:--Your letter of recent date, asking me to contribute something for publication in your next annual report, relative to the condition of the public schools of my county, (Madison), and to offer any suggestions that might be toward the betterment of the public school system of the State, is duly received.

        The public schools in this county are not so good as they are in some other counties in the State that are wealthier. Madison is a mountainous county; the districts are forced to be unequal in size, and the terms of school unequal in length. The county is not wealthy. It is at present very heavily taxed for other purposes, and our school fund is small.

        There are eighty-three schools in the county, numbering 8,143 children. The apportionment this year is 80 cents per capita. There were 69 schools taught last year, averaging 3 1-2 months each. They enrolled 4,841, and made an average attendance of 2,745.

        In a number of the districts the school terms are made longer by private subscription.

        The trouble with the schools in my county is the fact that there is too little money apportioned to the districts and the attendance is too abnormal. It takes money to command the best talent to teach. To accomplish what should be accomplished by the public school system we must have a compulsory system of attendance. I sincerely hope we may have some legislation along this line in the near future.

        I think the present office of Township Trustee should be abolished, for the reason that this office makes too many school officers, and the fewer officers there are the more harmonious will the workings of the public school system be. There are also other objections.

        I am in favor of a special tax being levied by the State to furnish text-books free to the children.

        I think there should be a law forcing teachers to attend Teachers' Institutes and Teachers' Normals. The chief examination for teachers should be given in May, and not July, as it is at present. A teacher's certificate should be forfeited if they did not attend the Institutes held after the examination. After some of these modifications in the School Law, then the Legislature should let it alone and let it rest awhile at least.

        With kindest regards to you for the able services you have rendered the State as Superintendent of the Public School work, and with best wishes for your future success, your health and your happiness, I am,

Very sincerely yours,

J. M. JAMES,
Superintendent of Schools, Madison County.

RUTHERFORDTON, N. C., August 9, 1900.

        HON. SIR:--Complying with your request of recent date, the following facts relative to school matters in Rutherford County are submitted:

        Ours was one of the few counties of the State in which there was a contest between the rival Boards of School Directors.

        The new board, elected by the Legislature of 1899, pursuant to instructions issued by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, met in the town of Rutherfordton on the second Monday in April, of that year; went before M. O. Dickerson, C. S. C., and were duly qualified, according to law. After organizing by the election of C. W. Watkins, Chairman, a formal demand was made on the old Board for the office, together with all the books, papers, and other property belonging thereto. This demand was met by the old Board by a prompt, but respectful, refusal to surrender any school property in their possession to the new Board. These proceedings soon became known to the public, and rumors, with or without foundation in fact, were rife; and, as is common in such cases, they were augmented as they flew, much to the injury of our school interests. So matters stood, when on the first Monday in July the two Boards again met, and each approved the annual reports of the County Supervisor, and of the Treasurer of the School Board, for the preceding school year.

        It was at the regular meeting of the Boards on the second Monday in July that it became apparent that the Boards could never hope to agreeably settle the differences existing between them.

        The old Board met in the office; the new, in the court-house. The old Board elected a Superintendent and thirty-nine Trustees; the new elected a Superintendent and a like number of Trustees. These were all different men. The Trustees of the two Boards subsequently met, and, with a few exceptions, elected two sets of Committeemen for each of the schools. The county now presented the anomaly of a dual set of school officers, from the highest to the lowest. Later, it developed that, in some of the districts, two teachers had been employed by partisan Committeemen. Possession of the school property was considered of prime importance. In a few instances the school buildings were locked by both parties; in others the law was invoked, or personal violence was threatened as a last resort. One school house was burnt, and the prospect was growing from bad to worse.

        These conditions demanded prompt action. With a view to determine the legal status of the opposing School Boards, application was made by the new Board through their attorney, Hon. M. H. Justice, on or about the 7th of August, to his Honor, Judge Oliver H. Allen,

at Newton, for a temporary restraining order which was promptly granted, and some days later served on the officers of the old Board. A final hearing on this temporary injunction was for various reasons postponed, from time to time, until the first week in November, when his Honor Judge T. A. McNeill, after hearing all the evidence in the case, and carefully considering the law, made the order permanent. The old Board, through their attorneys, Messrs. McBrayer and Eaves, appealed to the Supreme Court. The opinion of this Court reversed, late in November, the ruling of the courts below. The old Board under this decision again took charge of the office. This case did not affect in any way the status of any school officer in the county outside of the Boards of School Directors. The cases of the Superintendents, Trustees and committees, were referred to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who, after a long and painstaking investigation, decided, December 23, that the officers of the new Board were the de facto school officers. This decision did not prevent those aggrieved from bringing action in the Superior Court for the recovery of any de jure rights to which they were entitled. No appeals, however, were taken from these rulings, and for the remainder of the school year no further trouble has occurred.

        On the first of July last the new Board again assumed their duties. Confusion and uncertainty are no longer disturbing factors; the elimination of partisan feelings and prejudices has restored confidence; the transition from the unknown to the known has opened up the way for more earnest efforts to advance the interests of the schools; parents and teachers alike are cooperating with one another as never before to advance the interests of the generations now living and yet unborn.

        Two Institutes--one for each race--have been recently held and largely attended. The County Teachers' Association has been recently reorganized, and promises to be very helpful in fostering educational advancement throughout our entire country.

        It may be that, after all, the difficulties through which we have so recently passed are the precursors of an educational awakening such as we have never before known. The teachers of this county may not be better than others, but I feel assured that so long as they live and work for the children here their moral and intellectual wants will be abundantly supplied. Thanks are due the pulpit and the press of the county for many helpful words of encouragement. With such environments as obtain almost everywhere in our midst, I can hopefully point in the near future to an era of educational awakening in this county that will with its brilliancy totally obscure everything done in the past.

Respectfully,

A. L. RUCKER,
County Superintendent.

BURGAW, N. C., August 7, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, Superintndent of Public Instruction.

        MY DEAR SIR:--Replying to yours of recent date, would say that, in the matter of education, we are "making haste slowly." In some directions there has been considerable improvement of late years, while in others "retrogade" is the word. The majority of our people, realizing that the little pittance received from the State will never educate their children, have set to work to do it themselves by supplementing the State funds and extending the school terms--by a more careful selection of text-books--by a better attendance, and especially by employing a better grade of teachers, and in many sections, school houses are being greatly improved. I believe they would gladly submit to a higher rate of taxation for school purposes, but there is a respectable minority who are getting more careless, as the years go by, of sending to school. The County Superintendent of Schools visits the schools, counsels the teachers, encourages the pupils by little talks to them, and lectures the patrons upon the subject of schools, and I must say that he feels greatly encouraged in his work. I would recommend a return to the township system of two years ago, as the District plan has multiplied quarrels one hundred per cent over the Township system. I would recommend that the Districts be allowed to tax themselves, as this does away with the negro bugaboo--or helping the negro. The State should purchase the text-books by wholesale and supply the children at cost. The Superintendent of Health should visit the schools every two years and report their sanitary condition and water supply to the Board of School Directors, and make such suggestions as he may deem pertinent. The school funds from the several counties should be paid into the State Treasury and apportioned to the several counties according to school population--thus letting the more wealthy counties share with the poorer ones, as the more wealthy townships share with the less favored ones.

With great respect,

T. H. W. McINTIRE,
Superintendent of Schools Pender County.

CURRITUCK, N. C., August 3, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, State Superintendent of Schools, Raleigh, N. C.

        DEAR SIR:--In compliance with your request I'll try to give you an insight on the condition of educational affairs in Currituck for the year from July 1, 1899, to June 30, 1900, and to do so I am compelled to go back some years in order that you may compare the

present with the past. It is known by you that I succeeded my predecessor, Dr. Ritter, as Supervisor of Schools, in July, 1899, it being the first month of the past school year, and in August next I came in custody of the books of record and some other documents pertaining to that office. To inform myself of school affairs, I at once set about examining these records. I found apportionments made and school district accounts kept up till 1895, but during this year it appeared the accounts collapsed. After this, apportionments were made, but how and when the schools were taught the records fail to tell, yet I know some and perhaps all the schools were taught in these years, from 1895 to 1898. When I say year 1898 or 1899, I mean precisely what it says--from January 1 to December 31 following, which constituted a Currituck school year, under the supervision of both Dr. Pitts and Dr. Ritter, let reports say what they may to State Superintendent every July.

        When Dr. Ritter, in 1898, succeeded Dr. Pitts as Supervisor, he opened township accounts for that year and in January, 1899, opened others for that year--running from January to January as aforesaid. When vouchers were presented for countersigning to Supervisor, the date of signing, the name of the holder and the amount named therein was entered in the township account, but no noting by what school it was issued, its number or color. These accounts would cover parts of two separate school years in Wake County, perhaps, but one whole school year in Currituck. Besides this inaccurate way of keeping yearly accounts, I found a teacher's voucher that was given for services in one township placed to the account of another township, also vouchers for two years teaching put to one year's apportionment, and the vouchers from a district for a certain school year, part would be put to one year and part to another, etc. Sheriffs of Currituck have, generally, had from one September to another to make settlement, the school funds are paid to Treasurer from time to time in this period, and as one school year counts from January to January, you can see some parts of two years taxes coming into Treasurer's hands during one Currituck school year. Now, the Treasurer has not heretofore been keeping each year's school fund separate and to itself, but a steady stream of receipts from Sheriff and other sources put in his book with little or no information from what source the items were derived. Now, let me take these books of both Treasurer and Supervisor, together with the records of Board of Education in the past, where one can't find a plain statement of Treasurer settlement of school funds for any year, and you'll find a brain-splitter in trying to straighten

out the past so as to start aright now, and for the future. The Treasurer don't know where he stands relative to the school funds of the past. His book has been submitted to the Board of Directors, that employed good counsel and good accountants to help sift the matter, and after poring over Treasurer's book, comparing it with finance records of the county and the books of the Board of Directors, it was deemed impossible to make a correct statement, on account of the mass of confusion that thwarted every step. It has been found, however, that by the failure of our Sheriff one year in the past three, that there has been as much or more money paid out for school purposes than has been paid in, and the Treasurer is left to untangle his web and show up. Two leaves have been torn from his book. These leaves might show something--Treasurer says they were important. One of them has lately come to life, ah!

        Besides all the above-named entanglements, the school funds from year to year have been misapplied by Treasurer, that is, funds of 1898 in liquidating claims that should have been paid in 1897-- of 1899 applied to claims of 1898, etc. This has been going on from year to year. This mode of procedure I have stopped since I became Supervisor.

        After I was duly elected and recognized by the State Superintendent consternation was depicted on Bell and those he could at once call to his aid. Now Bell can't write a line for publication, and there is no doubt in my mind that he was the cause of those inflammatory and invective letters written by Dr. Ritter to and about the State Superintendent doing his moral as well as lawful duty in the premises. Dr. Ritter by so doing got himself in a hole (his friends say he lost his head). Then came Bell's letter of extrication--that fawning and palliating letter to the State Superintendent so full of errors and misleadings. He tried to impress the State Superintendent that there was no unfriendliness, to his knowledge, that existed between himself and Ansell. This insinuation and intimation was a gross error and falsehood and no one knows it better than Bell. I could tell you how the influence of a government office was brought to bear against me on that memorable 10th of July, 1899, but it don't belong here. Now, with the light before you, I will try and give you a statement of school affairs for the year 1899 and 1900, that you desire. After viewing the school premises in the past as above set out, I was determined to try to make a change. I found the schools of the past year in full blast. I countersigned vouchers for the year 1898 and 1899, about $1,500. I saw the Sheriff the Treasurer and Board of Directors in the fall of 1899, and insisted that the school funds for the year 1899 and 1900, should be

collected promptly, and that the Treasurer should apply it to the schools and schools expenses of that year only.

        The Sheriff, if he didn't settle by 31st December, 1899, he did soon thereafter, to his great credit. Sheriff Flora collected from property, polls and liquor license tax, the whole amount charged against him--$4,261.48, less his commissions of $213.07--$4,048.41. The Treasurer received the net amount so collected--$4,048.41 plus $20.45 fines, plus $206.63 from the State--total $4,275.49. Of this amount $3,790.44 was apportioned to schools vouchers during the year signed $3,275.46, and perhaps all paid. It leaves for schools not taught in the year but being now taught $514.98. When the schools for the year are finished, the expenses of Board Directors and Treasurer's commissions, etc., are deducted, there will be about $200 to go to this year's school fund.

        Last January I insisted that the apportionment made then should be taught out before June 30 next, and not in the fall following, as has been the custom heretofore. All but three responded and went at it, but before many of them had taught out, crop time came on and not one-fifth of the pupils attending, the schools were stopped. Now, I am suggesting a plan to relieve this trouble. Those that will teach in the wrong fall, I suggest that they commence their school for this year, 1900 and 1901, say next November or December. While they may not know precisely the amounts coming to their schools, it can be approximated very closely from the past year, and before their schools are taught out they will know the precise amounts, and it will be in Treasurer's hands for payment. This will stop a world of trouble I'm sure. What do you think of it? The school year 1898 and 1899, over half the schools were taught the next year or last fall. The schools of 1899 and 1900, not one-seventh failed to be taught in the proper time, and I'm sure this year they will all be taught in due season. So you see there has been great improvement in the collecting and the paying out of funds--the observing of the school year--the manner of keeping school accounts, for I've even got the Treasurer on his work in that respect. The school-houses in our county are generally poor affairs, small and dilapidated, not furnished and equipped--many uncomfortable. I'm suggesting relief for this. The teachers and teaching are about the same as years past. I am going to try, if I can, to get the committees to go with me on that line. The most of these committeemen are selfish, ignorant, and will not work. Will not even furnish a small account book to note the business proceedings that come before them. They actually call on me to furnish a book that 25 cents would buy. Not only do I furnish deeds for them when called on, but I have to write them. So I can't say much of our schools. They are something like an

old Virginia rail fence grown up with weeds. I'll try to have it improved.

Yours very respectfully,

H. B. ANSELL,
County Superintendent.

MORGANTON, N. C., July 30, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, Superintendent Public Instruction, Raleigh,
N. C.

        DEAR SIR:--Your letter of July 18, asking for an official letter setting forth the condition of educational affairs in Burke County, has been received, and will try and give the situation as I see it, and as reports show.

        All reports for the year ending June 30, 1900, show an advance along all lines. Yet we are only beginning to realize that the only hope for our children is in the public schools. All of our Trustees and committeemen do not do their whole duty. They have not got into the idea of combining small schools and making fewer but stronger and better schools. Until we can reduce the number of our schools at least one-third, our progress is going to be slow. We have tried to keep the standard of teachers up to the very best that can be had. We indorse from no other county, neither do we give private examination.

        I believe I can safely say that we are on the forward move on educational lines in Burke County.

        As to latter part of your letter I will say that I believe that the County Superintendent should be a bonded officer and be Treasurer of the school fund, without extra pay. I think it would be more convenient to the teacher.

        I would further suggest that only two examinations be held in each school year--the first week in July and January, and that private examinations be forbidden. This is the case with all other professions in the State. I believe that a Teacher's Institute should be held in each county every year, and all teachers should be required to attend or not allowed to teach.

Very truly,

HERBERT O. HOOK,
Superintendent of Burke County.

SPARTA, N. C., July 30, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE.

        DEAR SIR:--The schools of Alleghany County are better than one year ago, but not what they ought to be. The greatest drawback is

the small salary paid to teachers. They do not feel that they can afford to attend our summer schools and normals. Our teachers want to keep apace with the improved ideas and methods of teaching, but they have not the means.

        Another drawback is the disposition of committeemen to take the man that will do and no more. Hence the cheap man is ahead, and his work is correspondingly cheap. The sentiment against such things is increasing, and we hope to overcome it entirely.

        But the trend is upward and onward, and at no distant day our schools will not be a whit behind the best.

        Our school buildings are not generally comfortable, but there is a marked improvement in this. The old houses one by one are giving way and better ones are taking their places. I hope ere long to see a neat, comfortable house in each community.

        The wise and opportune suggestions of our State Superintendent have been a factor for good in our school work.

Respectfully,

S. W. BROWN,
Superintendent.

UNAKA, N. C., July 30, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, State Superintendent.

        DEAR SIR:--In reply to your letter of recent date, win say that the public schools of Cherokee County are in a reasonably good condition. The average length of term for the present year will be longer than any previous year. The educational interest is taking on a gradual, but a permanent growth. The amount of money in our county is so limited that it becomes necessary to study every available plan to best utilize this money to the greatest good to the greatest number; but we meet our opponents in this as well as in other avocations of life. We find that almost every patron would like to have the school kept near his own door, but this we all know can not be done, but it has caused no little trouble and expense in trying to meet the demands of so many patrons, hence the great number of school districts with a small amount of money to each, and in many instances, a sorry, poorly paid teacher, hence a sorry school. We consider the best way out of this trouble is to consolidate districts where it can be done without too much inconvenience thereby increasing the means as well as the children which gives in almost very case a longer term, a better teacher, and consequently a better interest. There are six townships in the county, and we are trying to consolidate the districts so as to have at least one central school in each township, which will have a longer term and allow all that can attend this central school do so where they can

consistently, which is sure in every case to create a greater educational interest. We have three central schools in the county that are prospering. Some of these schools will be able to give the young men and women who are getting well advanced, such stimulation as will soon cause several to get certificates, whereby they can teach, all of which has its good effects. We are studying this important subject with due consideration, realizing fully the fact that we should have a permanent educational interest established which can only be effected by degrees. So with pleasure, I conclude this letter, realizing from the pleasant letter that I have received from you that I have a cooperating leader and brother in the great and glorious work of educating the children of the Old North State. I trust that every County Superintendent and educator in the State may feel the weight of the grave responsibility resting upon him in this glorious work.

Fraternally yours,

J. W. BLACKWELL,
Chairman Board Education.

W. K. JOHNSON, Secretary.

BRYSON CITY, N. C., July 27, 1900.

Superintendent MEBANE, Raleigh, N. C.

        MY DEAR SIR:--It gives me pleasure to respond to your circular letter of July 18, 1900, in which you ask for information regarding the condition of educational affairs in Swain County.

        1. I have been serving as County Superintendent since July, 1899, and immediately after entering upon the duties of my office, I had provisions made for an Institute for our teachers for a term of three weeks, in which there was an attendance of 37 teachers.

        I am glad to say that it was often referred to by teachers and all who witnessed its working, as being the best Institute Swain County ever had. I was ably assisted by Prof. Louis C. Perry, who is a worthy young man.

        2. Our force of teachers have been faithful in their work, and by their aid and economy used by Board of School Directors, we were able to lengthen the school term last year about one-third month, and we will still be able to do better things the present school year. The length of school term for 1898 was three and a quarter months, for 1899, three and one-eighth months, and for the year 1900, the term will be at least four and a quarter months in every district in the county in which there are 65 students.

        3. It is my constant aim to raise the standard of education, and to this end I try to make my examinations from time to time more rigid. The effect of this is to reduce the number of teachers--some

failing to stand the examination, but the more progressive teachers are looking ahead and with the ambition to keep abreast with the progress of education and with the forward movement of all things else. In my mind, the future is looking for young men and women who are alive to the things of to-day instead of living twenty-five years in the past, who are growing mentally instead of declining, who invent plans of success instead of imitating plans and methods of the past.

        I have great admiration for the old retired teacher and those who ought to retire. I praise him for the valuable services rendered and that under such unfavorable conditions, but higher education and the fastness of the times demand that these retire and give place for others who are more competent, and such as the progress of the times demand.

        Let me say that my conviction along lines to which I have referred, and having put them in effect, have reduced the number of teachers to an insufficiency to supply all our schools for this county.

        But I find, to my delight, that the quality of education and instruction given are getting better, the committeemen are becoming more particular about the selection of teachers, they consult the Superintendent personally about teachers, and are very anxious to accept none only those he recommends as being competent, both in point of education and good morals.

        4. Our school officers are working harmoniously and the plan of our school supervision is in the main commendable, as I see it, with the following exceptions: I am sincere in the opinion that section 16 of the school law, providing for a Board of Township Trustees is not a necessity, and adds but very little, if anything, to the good of our school supervision.

        tI will not be in order for me to discuss the objections this time, but it makes our work more complicated, and most all the work this Board does is done through the direction of the County Board, and the people are naturally inclined to go to the County Superintendent and County Board with all their grievances. I think too much machinery about anything is a mistake.

        5. The main trouble in connection with our school system is, we can't get the people to send as they should. I wish they could be induced to make proper use of the wonderful opportunities they have. I am convinced of the fact that if the human family is under obligations to do their duty in one thing they are in all things.

        When God gave man his children, he did it that he might raise them up in such a way as to be most useful to their country, and glorify Him. To this end they must be educated, and I for one shall

always be found raising my voice in North Carolina in favor or some kind of compulsory law that will require parents to send their children to school.

        6. Now, Mr. Superntendent, I will close, and in doing so I, with all my teaching force in Swain County, wish to thank and praise you for the honorable and high-toned way in which you have administered the affairs of education in North Carolina during your term of office. We feel sure that we relate a fact when saying that no one whom you have succeeded in your office has ever been looked upon with more honor and respect than yourself. I am

Sincerely yours,

L. LEE MARR,
Superintendent Swain County, N. C.

STRAW, N. C., August 25, 1900.

Hon. C. H. MEBANE, Superintendent Public Instruction,
Raleigh, N. C.

        DEAR SIR:--I have been doing all in my power to raise the standard of education in my county, and am pleased to say that some progress has been made in the last year. Directly after taking charge of the office of County Superintendent in July, 1899, I called the teachers of the county together, and organized a Teacher's Association. There had been such an organization in the county before, but for want of something to keep up the interest in such meetings the attendance soon became so small that the plan was abandoned. Heeding the lessons of the past I began casting about for some incentive, and decided to make an effort to establish a circulating teachers' library, and began to solicit subscriptions for that purpose. We opened the library in May with 25 volumes. We have now 90 books, and expect to add more in the near future. This plan has succeeded beyond our expectations, the attendance upon these meetings has steadily increased.

        The most of our teachers sadly need a course of professional reading, and a little money judiciously expended would be productive of much good. Our Association meets every other month with the exception of July, and a teacher takes a book at one meeting, keeping it till the next.

        I have also adopted the plan of having the teachers hold written examinations each month in their schools, and report to me the results. I find this helpful. It has been a custom here to have only one set of examination papers during the year for applicants for teachers' certificates, with the result that before the end of the year quite a knowledge of the questions would get abroad and a number

of certificates would be granted to unworthy applicants. I resolved to avoid this trouble, and have changed my examination questions at each regular examination. I have also a new set of private examination questions each quarter. I am satisfied that the adoption of this plan has done much towards weeding out inefficient teachers. I also refuse to duplicate or extend certificates. On the whole, I think the outlook encouraging from an educational standpoint, and that our people are slowly but surely becoming awakened to a sense of their duty along the line of education, and with the proper management and the cooperation of all the friends of education, we see no reason why in the near future we should not rank alongside our sister States in the race for a higher and a grander education for the great common people.

Most truly,

C. C. WRIGHT,
Superintendent Public Instruction of Wilkes Co.

WAKE.

        White children in the county outside of Raleigh Township, 6,828; colored children, 5,478; white children enrolled, 4,405, being about 65 per cent; colored children enrolled, 4,305, being about 78 1-2 per cent. White children in Raleigh Township, 2,915; colored children, 3,310; white children enrolled, 1,511, being about 51 1-2 per cent; colored children enrolled, 1,418, being about 42.2-3 per cent. White children in the entire county, 9,743; colored children, 8,788; white children enrolled 5,916, being about 61 per cent; colored children enrolled, 5,723, being about 65 per cent. The average length of schools outside of Raleigh Township was: White race 87 1-2 days, colored race 88 3-4 days; in Raleigh Township, both races, 160 days; average length in the entire county, 92 days; average attendance outside of Raleigh Township, white race, 2,838; colored race, 2,540; average attendance in Raleigh Township, white race, 1,001; colored race, 844; average attendance in the entire county, white race, 3,839; colored race, 3,384. Number of schools in the entire county, white race, 103; colored race, 73; average price of teachers, white race. males, $32.25; females, $28.50; colored race, males, $29.00; females, $22.50.