(Eh? ^Frattkiitt Tfyxtss
and
Mighlattits J&anmian
Published every Thursday by the Franklin Press
At Franklin, North Carolina
VOL. LX1I
WEIMAR JONES
Number five
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.05
Lccal Legislation ,
THE Asheville Citizen probably is right in ques
* tinning the wisdom of Representative McGlam
ery's bill ? since killed in committee ? to exempt
Macon County private haulers, from the provisions
of the state law imposing additional motor 'vehicle
license fees on trucks that are overloaded.
For if it is a good state law, it should apply
equally to every part of the state; and if it is not a
good law, it should be repealed outright.
Mr. McCilamery's bill, says the Asheville news
paper. provided "one more instance of a legislative
failing all too common in North Carolina. Some
local legislation is necessary for the operation of
general government. But much of it is unnecessary,
and the privilege enjoyed by local sponsors is often
abused."
The Citizen should know, because perhaps no
county in the state, with the exception of Madison,
has suffered more from local legislation than Bun
combe ? all too often a means of transferring county
government from the county-seat to the state
capital.
"Home rule", continues the editorial, "will never
make much progress as long as this avenue is open
and as long as the general assembly must concern
itself with petty details".
To which thoughtful < observation most persons
will .voice a fervent amen.
As a matter of fact, is any local legislation de
sirable?
In theory, it places upon the some 180 legislators
in Rale VI- the responsibility for determining purely
local issues? issues in which they have no interest,
and about which they necessarily are ignorant.
In actual practice, it gives the legislator from the
county affected almost unlimited power. He may,
and not infrequently does, use that power to over
ride the expressed wishes of the people of his
count}'. A tvpical illustration is the practice of
changing the complexion of an elected board by
legislative appointment of additional members.
And the evil of local legislation is quite as serious
for the state as it is for the counties. For what leg
islator, busy with purely local bills, has the time to
studv the really important state problems, the solu
tion of which is his real function?
The system, of course, grows out of a theory
that is in Complete opposition to the idea of home
rule ? the theory that the counties are mere crea
tures of the legislature, subject to any and every
legislative whim.
As a matter of historical fact, the counties were
created by the legislature, but that fact has been
exploited by general assembly after general as
sembly merely to create a spoils system designed
to build up legislators' local political machines.
The countv board of commissioners is the duly
elected policy-making body of a county. As such,
it should be given complete authority to legislate
on purely county matters.
That is the only way we will attain genuine local
self-government. And the sooner a movement is
started to outlaw county government by legislative
fiat, the sooner we will get good local government
in North Carolina.
Even In Death
Even in death A1 Capone flouted the authority of
the government of the United States.
For the little Italian who ruled Chicago for years
with bribery, threat, and gunfire used his ill-gotten
gains to spend his last years in luxury. When death
came to him the other dav, he was living in a 25
room Florida villa, enjoying the complete privacy
which only wealth can assure, and attended by the
best medical talent available. Meanwhile, outside
his estate, newspaper men waited for days for an
announcement of the end ? much as they might
have done for a President of the United States.
Capone was notorious as the directing will re
sponsible for scores, probably hundreds, of cold
blooded murders, not to mention a multitude of
lesser crimes. Yet the government of the United
States had to resort to something closely approach
ing trickery to break his power. Capone, who
amassed his wealth by syndicating lawlessless, was
cpnvicted of evading income tax !
Most voung i>ersons of today rarely have heard
of Capone, which indicates that, at least, we
haven't transformed the Chicago ganster into a
legendary sort of Robin Hood. That is the one
bright spot ill the Whole sordid story.
LETTERS
ABOUT THE SCHOOLS
Editor of The Franklin Press:
In last week's Press, I read with great interest the article
about our county not being able to pay the light bill lor our
school in Franklin. The appeal our principal made to the
parents seems a little pathetic; while on the other hand,
some one explained that the state had on hand a goodly sur
plus in the school funds. If this be true, he says, there is
something wrong. I say there is something rotten.
Also, this party mentioned the school board should meet
fometime during the year and plan the budget and other
vays and means for the school If the present 7c tax levy Is
not sufficient, then we, as taxpayers, should look into the
matter.
The thing we need most is a board that will v.ak? up and
do things and tell the superintendent what to do, in place of
letting him tell them. I approached our superintendent the
other day in regard to a bus driver entering the highway with
out stopping, and was informed that, he, the superintendent,
had nothing to do with the drivers, and didn't even know who
they are.
I have been informed that they have another way of rais
ing money at the school. Any boy or girl of high school age can
buy their liberty over town one day for 15c. This money is
collected by someone at the school for some purpose.
J. C. SORRELLS.
Franklin, Route 3,
January 20, 1947.
(NOTE: With reference to school bus drivers, Supt. Houk
explains that the state law provides that they be employed
by the school principal, with the approval of the school bus
mechanic and the state highway safety division, and that they
report direct to the principal. A question involving an individual
uriver, therefore, Mr Houk said, is referred to the principal
to whom the driver reports: ? Editor.)
I TAX SUGGESTIONS
Editor:
Please publish the following letter in your public pluse
column.
As a citizen I would like to make a few suggestions in re
gard to the revenue measure to be enacted by the legislature.
(1) In my opinion the franchise tax should not be reduced
at this time, practically, all corporations today are paying
"lore federal taxes than state taxes. The $1,400,000 In taxes
that will be saved by not making the recommended reduction
in the franchise tax, can be used to advantage in the educa
tional program.
The franchise tax is arrived at by taking the physical value
of the plant after allowing for depreciation, adding the in
ventory, and then multiplying the total by $1.75 for each
$1,000 value.
The principal owners of many utilities and other corpora
tions do not pay income taxes in this state. One capitalist re
puted to be worth 100 million dollars before he passed to his
reward some years ago paid less than $1,000 a year taxes in
North Carolina. He was born here and had a home here but
maintained his citizenship In another state.
(2) The dominant group in the moving picture theater busi
ness in North Carolina are as ruthless a group as ever scuttled
a ship. Through their financial strength and strong-arm
methods they prevent competitors from getting the best pic
tures and gather unto themselves most of the money being
spent for amusement within our borders. A special tax placed
en the ownership of these theaters would not protect the
weaker theaters but would return to the public part of the
enormous funds being spent for amusement. Theater lobby
ists two years ago knocked $400,000 tax off the budget com
mission's recommendations. **
(3) My next suggestion is a kilowatt hour tax on electricity,
reducing the rate the same amount as the tax, in other words
leaving the consumer just where he is today. Crump did this
in Memphis, passing the saving on the public treasury instead
of to the individual. The state tax is deducted before the fed
eral tax and in recent years has been much less.
(4) Last year the federal government collected more than
500 million dollars excise taxes on tobacco in North Carolina.
This tax Is set up as an expense ahead of state taxes, greatly
reducing the amount of taxes North Carolina otherwise would
get. As a master of fairness, part of this revenue should re
.nain here Lasi year the federal government returned to
Puerto Rico 51 million dollars from excise taxes collected here
on Puerto Rican tobacco and rum. Why should they not do as
much for North Carolina?
JOHN W. CLARK.
Greensboro, N. C.,
January 20, 1947
Others' Opinions
N. C. VETERANS
It is refreshing to learn that according to records issued
recently North Carolina Veterans of World War II are more
interested In working for themselves than they are in drawing
unemployment compensation from the government.
On the other hand our Veterans are receiving substantially
more In self-employment allowances than are Veterans in
Northern states, but less In compensation tor unemployment,
which we think is a good healthy sign that they are working
toward their eventual independence.
The self -employment allowances go to veterans who go Into
business for themselves and fall to make at least $100 monthly
to support themselves. The unemployment compensation is re
ceived by veterans who are not working at all.
? Waynesville Mountaineer.
LOCAL BILLS
With malice toward none, The Citizen nonetheless Is dis
posed to look sharply at a bill offered In the lower house of
the General Assembly which would exempt "any truck or trucks
operated as a private hauler or contract hauler by any person,
firm or corporation who Is a bona fide resident of Macon or
Clay county" from the Statewide taxes applying to overloaded
motor vehicles on the public highways.
So far as we know, the general statute is a good one. It
assumes that an overloaded truck Is a liability to highway
maintenance, and therefore should bear more than a normal
share of the traffic charge. While open to further arguments
for plaintiff, we wonder if this exemption does not confer a
special privilege on a minority of highway users which is in
consistent with the spirit of the law.
If this suspicion is correct, then it merely provides one
more Instance of a legislative falling all too common in North
Carolina. Some local legislation Is a necessity for the opera
tion of general government. But much of it is unnecessary,
and the privilege enjoyed by local sponsors Is often abused.
Home rule will never make much progress as long as this
avenue Is open and as long as the General Assembly must
concern Itself with petty detail.? Ashevllle Citizen.
Life develop* from within.? Elizabeth Barrett Browning,
LEGAL ADVERTISING
ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTICE
Having qualified as adminis
trator of J. W. Blaine, deceased,
late of Macon County, N. C,
this Is to ntotify all persons
having claims against the estate
of said deceased, to exhLbit
them to the undersigned on or
before the 10th day of January,
1948, or this notice will be plead
In bar of their recovery. All
persons indebted to said estate
Will please make Immediate set
tlement.
This 10th day of January,
1947.
Arlen Williamson,
Administrator.
J 16 ? 6tp? F20
NOTICE OF SALE
NORTH CAROLINA
MACON COUNTY
Under and by virtue of the
power of sale contained In a
certain deed of trust executed
by Oerald W. Cornelius and his
wife, Mildred S. Cornelius, dat
ed the 28th day of September,
1946, and recorded in Book No.
39 of Mortgages and Deeds of
Trust, at page 145, in itfie office
of the Register of Deedfej>f Ma
con County, North Carolina, de
fault having been made in the
payment of the Indebtedness
thereby secured and said deed
of trust being by the terms
thereof subject to foreclosure,
and the holder of the indebted
ness thereby secured having re
quested that same be foreclosed,
the undersigned trustee will of
fer for sale and sell at public
auction to the highest bidder
for cash, at the times and
places hereinafter mentioned,
the real and personal property
conveyed in said deed of trust,
the same being in Highlands
Township, Macon County, North
Carolina, described as follows:
REAL PROPERTY:
The land described in the
deed from Rebecca Harris
to Gerald W. Cornelius,
dated 14 November, 1945,
and recorded In the office
of the Register of Deeds of
Macon County, North Caro
lina, In Deed Book N-5, page
299.
PERSONAL PROPERTY:
Delta Disc Sander and ac
cessories, No. 422576.
Delta belt sander and ac
cessories.
Delta 12" lathe and acces
sories, No. 385935.
Delta 10" lathe and acces
sories.
Assortment of hand tools.
Delta Drill - Grinding at
tachment, No. B66Y893311.
Delta 14" Band Saw and ac
cessories, No. 404020.
Delta Wood turning tools.
Stanley bench planes.
Delta Rip Saw and acces
sories, No. 309225.
Delta scroll saw and acces
sories, No. 379614.
Delta Drill Press and ac
cessories, No. 321467.
Delta Jointer and accessor
ies, No. 314210.
Delta Plane Bit Grinder.
Delta Moulding Cutters.
Stanley Router No. C5387A.
Delta Tool Grinder.
DeWalt Saw and attach
ments, No. 43730.
Parks Planer 12" x 4".
Bulks Spray Outfit.
Shop Fan (Exhaust)
Dado heads.
Bench clamps and vises.
Construction Tools.
Shop lights, switches and
other equipment.
Cut-off Saw, No. 2077455.
Sanding Machine belt.
Surveying Level and Trans
it.
Miscellaneous Items of mer
chandise, such as lamps,
etc.
One 1946 model lyi ton Ford
Truck, Motor No. 699-T
819858.
The real property above de
scribed will be offered for sale
and sold at the courthouse door
In Franklin, Macon County,
North Carolina, at 12:00 o'clock
noon on the 1st day of Febru
ary, 1947.
The personal property above
described will be offered for
sale and sold at what Is known
as the Prefab Shop on Pine
Street, In the Town of High
lands, Macon County, North
Carolina, at 1:00 o'clock P. M.
on the 1st day of February,
1947.
This the 1st day of January,
1947.
J. H. STOCKTON,
Trustee
J9 ? 4tc ? J30
EXECUTRIX NOTICE
Having qualified as executrix
of Chester C. Harris, deceased,
late of Macon County, N. C., this
Is to notify all persons having
claims against the estate of said
deceased to exhibit them to the
undersigned on or before the
30th day of December, 1947, or
this notice will be plead in bar
of their recovery. All persons
Indebted to said estate will
please -make immediate settle
ment.
This 30th day of December,
1046.
ALTA RAMSEY HARRIS,
Executrix.
jj-fltp-Tfl
With the
Churches
BAPTIST
First Church, Franklin
The Rev. Charles E. Parker,
Pastor
Sunday:
9:45 a. m. ? Sunday school.
11 a. m. ? Worship.
6:30 p. m.? Training union.
7:30 p. m. ? Worship.
Wednesday:
7:30 p. m. ? Prayer meeting.
EPISCOPAL
St. Afnes Church, Franklin
The Rev. A. Rufus Morgan,
Pastor
Sunday:
10 a. m. ? Church school.
11a. m. ? First Sunday, Holy
communion.
Third Sunday,
Morning prayer.
8 p. m. ? Second and fourth
Sundays, evening
Drayer.
METHODIST
Franklin Church
The Rev. W. Jackson Huneycutt,
Pastor
10 a. m. ? Sunday school.
11 a. m. ? Worship.
6:30 p. m.? Senior Youth fel
lowship.
7 p m. ? Intermediate Youth
Fellowship.
Franklin Circuit
The Rev. D. P. Grant, pastor
Preaching services as follows:
First Sunday:
11 a. m. ? Bethel church.
3 p. m. ? Salem church.
7:30 p. m. ? Clark's chapel.
Second Sunday:
11 a. m. ? Snow Hill church.
3 p. m. ? Louisa chapel.
7:30 p. m. ? Iotla church.
Third Sunday:
11 a. m. ? Clark's chape'..
3 p. m. ? Salem.
7:30 p. m.? Bethel.
Fourth Sunday:
11 a. m. ? Iotla.
3 p. m. ? Louisa chapel.
7:30 p. m. ? Snow Hill.
West Macon Circuit
The Rev. P. E. Bingham, Pastor
Preaching services as follows:
First Sunday:
2 p. m. ? Maiden's Chapel.
11 a. m. ? Gillespie Chapel.
Second Sunday:
11 a. m. ? Mount Zion.
Third Sunday:
11 a. m. ? Gillespie' Chapel.
2 p. m. ? Maiden's Chapel.
Fourth Sunday:
11 a. m. ? Mount Zion.
PRESBYTERIAN
Franklin Church
The Rev. B .Hoyt Evans, pastor.
Sunday:
10 a. m. ? Sunday school.
11 a. m. ? Worship.
CATHOLIC
Franklin
(At John Wasilik's Residence
Rogers Hill)
The ReV. A. F. Rohrbacher,
Pastor
Second Sunday:
8:00 a. m. ? Mass.
INTER-DENOMINATIONAL
Sloan's Chapel
Sunday:
2 p. m. ? Sunday school on the
first, second, third, and fifth
Sundays.
2 p. m. ? Preaching on the
fourth Sunday.
3 p. m. ? Preaching on the
first, second, and
third Sundays.
Tuesday:
7:30 p. m.? Prayer meeting.
Friendship (Angel) Tabernacle
Sunday?
2:30 p. m. ? Sunday school.
Second Sunday:
3:30 p. m.? Preaching service,
conducted by the Rev. V. C.
Ramey.
Olive Hill
Sunday:
2 p. m. Sunday school, E. A.
Roper, superintendent.
NEGRO
St. Cyprian's Episcopal
The Rev. James T. Kennedy,
Pastor
Sunday:
11 a. m.? Third Sunday,
Holy communion.
2 p. m.? First and second
Sundays, evening
prayer.
3 p. m.? Church school.
Friday:
6 p. m.? Litany.
Franklin Methodist Circuit
(A. M. E. Zion)
The Rev. John O. Williams
Pastor
Preaching services as follows:
First and third Sundays:
11 a. m. ? Green Street church.
2:30 p. m. ? Cowee church.
8 p. m. ? Green Street church.
ATTENTION!
LOYAL ORDER
OF MOOSE
WILL MEET EACH
THURSDAY NIGHT
At 7:30
Lake V. Shope, Sec.