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VOL. LXVI Number 32
Published every Thursday by The Franklin Press
At Franklin, North Carolina
Telephone No. 24
Entered at Post Office, Franklin, N. C., as second class matter.
WEIMAR JONES Editor
BOB S. SLOAN Business Manager
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ance with the postal requirements.
Macon, Tomorrow
1UIACON COUNTY is recognized as a fine com
munity; it is such a good community, in fact,
that it is almost unique.
But it is growing, and, as always, growth is
bringing change*.
Many thoughtful persons are disturbed by the
changes that are taking place here; for they recog
nize. that, as we change, we easily may lose those
qualities that make this such a- good place to live.
Such a loss, however, is not inevitable.
Of course we cannot go back ? even if we would
?to the so-called "good old days". But we would
be foolish to discard all that is old simply because
it is old. If we are wise, we will select the best
things out of the past ? such things as our emphasis
on character and loyalty and kindliness ? and seek
to preserve them. And we can preserve them, but to
do so, we must re-adapt them to fit modern condi
tions.
Nor can we ? even if we would ? avoid the impact
on Macon County of events and trends that are
changing the whole world. But we would be foolish
to accept all that is new simply because it is new.
If we are wise, we will select the best things out of
the present ? labor-saving devices, yes, but also ob
jective thinking and broader sympathies ? and re
adapt them to fit our special conditions and needs
in this particular community.
If we apply the first bit of wisdom, we need lose
nothing of value. If we apply the second, we can
gain much. If we apply both, we can make of Ma
con County an even better place to live.
Postscript To Injustice
This newspaper last week said its piece about the
sentencing in Swain county of a 15-year old hoy to
Central Prison for a term of 25 to 30 years.
The immediate responsibility for that bit of bar
barism is the court's, and this is in no sense an
apology for what was said.
But if you and I are honest, we will go a step
farther and confess that we, too, have a respon
sibility. j
The courts, to a considerable degree, reflect pub
lic sentiment, and to that degree, public sentiment
? that means you and me ? must acce.pt a share of
the blame for such sentences. It is so easy for the
courts ? and for us? to dodge the problem that a
crime like that committed by. tbis boy poses, by
locking it securely behind an institution's walls.
But our responsibility is more immediate than
that. This boy was said to be mentally deranged.
What have you and I done to see to it that the
State of North Carolina provides adequate facilities
for the detection and treatment of mental illness?
This case is chiefly important because it is an
acute symptom of a growing wave of crime among
youth. What have you and I done to .see to it that
the State of North Carolina provides adequate
facilities for the incarceration of youthful offenders
apart from older, hardened criminals?
What, on either of those counts, hr.ve we done ?
except complain about the taxes we pay?
Finally ? and this is the basic question? what
have we done about the conditions that create thrse
problems of mental illness and youthful crime? It
isn't because tlicv are naturally "meaner" that an
ever-larger number of boyte and girl", arc landing
in juvenile courts and jails. It is because of condi
tions under which they live ; because, somewhere
along the line, somebody failed them.
What have we done about homes broken by di
vorce? About that evil's twin, an economic system
that draws more and more mothers of .small chil
dren out of the home and into industry? About the
lack of healthful recreation (except for the boys
and girls in our own children's "set")? About the
general breakdown, the nation over, in moral stand
ards ? i
That is where the problem begins. And that is
where the responsibility^? your* and mine? begins.
Calls The Tune .
Last week the flow of welfare funds? money for
the aged, the blind, and dependent children ? from
Washington into Indiana was abruptly halted.
The money for this aid comes from the federal
government, the states, and the counties; and
Washington shut off its lion's share, insofar as In
diana is concerned, because of a new Indiana law.
The Indiana legislature has enacted a statute open
ing for public inspection the rolls of those receiving
welfare funds.
This flatly opposes a law passed by congress re
quiring (hat these names not be made available to
the public ; and Oscar R. Ewing, federal .security
administrator, said he had no choice but to stop
sending any federal welfare money into Indiana.
This incident raises a question that has been in
many minds. From a sociological viewpoint, it may
be wise to keep secret the identity of those receiv
ing welfare grants. But such a policy surely is in
violation of a basic American concept ; the convic
tion that the taxpayer has a right to know, in de
tail, where his money goes ? to whom it is paid,
and for what.
The Indiana case, incidentally, should give pause
to the large number who believe it is possible to
have federal aid to education without federal con
trol. It still seems to be true thjy^"he who pays the
piper calls the tune".
Our American Civilization
Urging across-the-board tax increases and ap
propriation cuts. Howling if one of them hits us.
Assuming that the way to cure our insane is to
crowd them together in institutions, where they
rarely are exposed to ,sane influences. Using the
same method to cure our criminals.
Putting all the emphasis, in sports, on gate re
ceipts and winning. Rearing a whole younger gen
eration in that atmosphere of dollars and victory.
Being shocked when some members of that genera
tion cheat in order to win.
# Letters
OUR HERITAGE AND OUR CHILDREN
(EDITOR'S NOTE: As a rule this newspaper publishes
letters only from residents or former residents of Macon
County or letters dealing with Macon County topics. The
letter below, however, seems unusual enough to warrant
waiving that rule.)
Editor, The Franklin Press:
Almost every newspaper finds It relatively easy to obtain
copy concerning some phase of juvenile delinquency. The re
cent narcotics scandal gave parents throughout the nation the
jitters lest some such corrputing influence might subtly affect
their own children. It seems to us who are charged with the
great responsibility of instructing youth that their faults and
failures are held up to public views while their virtues, which
are much more numerous, get very little attention.
This situation, of course, is not difficult to understand. It
stems in part from the very obvious fact that the sensational
Is more newsworthy than the commonplace. It stems, too, from
the fact that an older generation is fearful that its heritage
may be wasted by an unworthy successor.
I am among those who believe that the present generation
of young people can spell better, read better, write better, and
think better than any previous generation. This does not mean
that I think all Is well. Many of our young people, some
through their own fault and some through the fault of their
parents and society, are little credit to their generation. As a
matter of fact, we are just on the outer fringes of literacy
with golden opportunities of achievement stretching out to the
generations ahead. All we can expect is a little progress. Our
children by the large will measure up to the faith we have in
them.
During my term as president of the North Carolina Educa
tion Association, I hope that we may give some special atten
tion to the theme: "Preserving and Developing Our Heritage
Through Our Children." I am writing to ask if you will not
help make the theme come alive.
A. B. GIBSON, President,
N. C. Education Association.
Laurinburg, N. C.
? Others' Opinions
NEVER JUST RIGHT
A boss is a man who is late when you are early, and early
when you are late.? Sanford Herald.
THAT IS THAT
The army is becoming rather sedate and has ordered its
public relations department to quit using G.I. in referring to
ye soldier. Well, maybe the army doesn't like the application,
but the G.I. does, and that is that. ? Glasgow (Mo.) Mlssourian.
' t
? ? ? ? ?
SOUTH HOPE OF NATION
The South, for the moment at least, is the one great hope
for breaking up the concentration of power which is destroying
our free enterprise system and our form of government, and
is , leading us into state socialism. This thoughtful analysis of
today's political situation, expressed In jnany ways by many
OUR DEMOCRACY i?m.>
ALL IN A LIFETIME
73 *i*m a?o Thomas A. Eoison
PATCNTKP THE PH0N04RAPH
Tooav the mechanical and electrical reproduction of
SOUND- in radio. television, movies and records -means
ENTEK.TAINMEHT AND INFORMATION FOR. ALL THE WOULD.
This has come about because our democracy afforded
EDISON AND OTHER INVENTORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO
WORK OUT THEIR IDEAS, FRJEE FROM INTERFERENCE AND WITH
NO ONE TO SAY THEM NAY. . . AND GAVE PEOPLE WITH THRIFT
ANO FORESIGHT THE UNHAMPERED CHANCE TO CREATE NEtY
WEALTH THROUGH INVESTING IN THESE IDEAS. *
That kind of opportunity is an essential part of the
FREEDOM WE MEAN" TO NAVE AND TO HOLD* SO THAT OUR.
HOPES AND OUR VISIONS CAN GO ON COMING TRUE.
people, was contained in a powerful address given at the Jef
ferson-Jackson Day dinner at Atlanta, Georgia, by Senator
Harry F. Byrd.? Warren (Ark.) Eagle Democrat.
MAN-A-MINUTE
The Senate-House Economy Committee investigation non
essential Government spending reported armed service civilian
payrolls during the last year increased by a man-a-minute. The
Committee report said that the number of civilian employes in
the service branches had risen from 407,233 to 1,744,525 since
March, 1950. This was the ninth consecutive month in which
civilian employment in the Federal agencics increased. The in
crease in the armed service branches was ten times that in
other agencies.? McDowell News.
NO COMPLAINTS
There was once a wise clergyman who kept on his desk a
special notebook, which he had labeled, "Complaints of Mem
bers". When one of his people called to tell him of the faults
of another, he would say, "Well, I have a complaint book here,
and I shall write down the things you say. And when I. take
the matter up with the official board, I shall tell them of your
complaint."
The sight of the complaint book and the ready pen had its
effect. "No, no, I don't care to have you write it down, not that
I made the complaint!" And no entry was made.
The clergyman kept the book for forty years, opened it thou
sands of times before complainants, and never had occasion
to write in it. ? Carteret County. ? Times.
WHAT PARTY DO YOU RELIEVE IN?
Too often these days a man (or a woman, of course) jus
tifies his political affiliation with the observation, "Well,
they're not as bad as the other fellows!" And far too seldom
can a citizen who thinks for himself throw his hat in the air
for either party as a unified force. Many of the wisest political
heads in Washington are growing balder and greyer pondering
this very general condition. It is not the first time political
parties in America have lost their grip, and probably won't be
the last.
For instance, American politics began before the Revolution
with the Whigs and the Tories. The latter, being the royalists,
lost out in the war, the Whigs divided into Federalists and Anti
Federalists. In 1793, the Democratic-Republican party was form
ed from Anti-Federalists, Jeffersonlan Republicans and the
Democrats, who favored the French Revolution. In 1828, this
party split into four factions, and the remnants reappeared as
the Democratic party. The Whig party reappeared In 1834,
consisting of National Republicans and disaffected Democrat
Republicans, and in 1854 was reorganized as the Republican
party with most of its elements intact. Splinter parties, of
course, we have had with us always.
States' Rights have been a vital plank in the platforms of
both the Democratic and Republican parties, at different times.
Just which party thinks it stands for this principle today, is
something we wouldn't know. It couldn't be the so-called Demo
crats. Yet, here is what may well be the paramount issue in
these times when federal bureaucrats are pushing and fretting
to control our schools, our medical profession, our utilities as
well as our pocketbooks.
We don't necessarily need to change party names, but we
certainly do need to learn Just exactly what our parties stand
for so that we can align ourselves accordingly. We are beset,
as a nation, with too many perils to continue groping in this
twilight of political double-talk.
The two-party system is a good system. Differences of opin
ion build strength, when they are honest differences. It's time
for both parties to swear off expediency and decide what their
CONVICTIONS are ? NOW.? Brookhaven (Mlts.) Leader.
Do You
Remember?
(Looking backward through ?
the files of The Press)
50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
There was a considerable
change in the temperature of
the weather last Thursday night
that rendered more "kiver" ac-__^
ceptable.
Rev. Ira Erwin left this morn
ing for Tellico to take a short
vacation for rest and recrea
tion.
The blackberry season is about
over. Housewives made good use
of the large crop to can large
quantities, especially as tlve
peach and apple crops are not "?
promising.
25 YEARS AGO
Prof. A. L. Bramlett, who has
received a scholarship to Duke
University, has submitted his
resignation as principal of the
Franklin schools and will at
tend Duke University for the
coming year.
Talk about your ribbons! The
most beautiful one in Western
North Carolina is the ribbon of
concrete from the Georgia line
through Franklin to Asheville.
Franklin last Friday celebrat
ed the formal opening of the
recently completed plant of the
Carolina Creamery company, of
Asheville, with several hundred
persons from the surrounding
sections of North Carolina and
Georgia in attendance.
10 YEARS AGO
Norman C. Hawley will suc
ceed James Averell as assistant
supervisor of the Nantahala Na
tional forest.
Twenty Future Farmers of
America of the Franklin high
school left Monday morning in
a Smoky Mountains bus for the
State F. F. A. camp which is
located at White Lake, in Baldin
county.
?
The tried and tested recipes
of the Cartoogechaye demon
stration club have been com
piled by the foods leader, Mrs.
Earl 'Harrison, and made into
book form.
Demonstration
Club Meetings For Week
Are Announced
Meetings of home demonstra
tion clubs in the county for the
coming week have been an
nounced by Mrs. Florence S.
Sherrill, county home demon
stration agent. They are as fol
lows:
Friday: Otto club "family
night" picnic with Mr. and Mrs.
Wood row Burch at 7:30 p. m.
Saturday: Nantahala club
"family night" picnic at 6:30
p. m. at the C. C. camp on
Nantahala lake.
Tuesday: Carson Chapel and
Cartoogechaye club picnic at
Arrowood glade at 11:30 a. m.
Thursday: County project
leaders and council committee
meeting at the home of Mrs.
Carl Slagle at 10:30 a. m. to
complete plan of work for 1951.
Covered dish lunch will be serv
ed.
$4,632 In Benefits
Received Monthly By ,196
Macon Persons
A total of 196 persons In Ma
con County monthly are receiv
ing $4,632 In social security
benefits.
According to Glenn H. Pit
tenger, manager of the Ashe
vllle office, 79 persons are re
ceiving old age benefits amount
ing to $2,331 each month; seven
widows and widowers are get
ting $241; 14 widows with chil
dren under 18 years of age are
receiving $327 ; 28 wives and
husbands, $417; one parent, $18;
and 67 children under 18 years
of age are receiving checks
amounting to $1,295.
Persons seeking information
or wishing to file claim with
the administration may contact
a representative of the Asheville
office on the Tuesday following
the first Monday of each month
at the Macon County court
house at 9 a. m., the Asheville
manager said.
LEGAL ADVERTISING
NOTICE
Bids for delivery on approxi
mately 500 tons of coal for the
various schools of Macon Coun
ty may be filed In the office of
county superintendent of schools.
First carload of coal will arrive
at DiUsboro about August 15.
Bid blanks and other informa
tion may be obtained at the of
fice of the county superinten
dent or by writing same. Bids
must be filed not later than
noon, August 11th.
HOLLAND McSWAIN,
Superintendent,
Macon County Schools.
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