The FralMth Times
Published Every Tutvdty' A ThwrMUy AM Of PxaktM Cmw?|
Your Award Winning County Newspaper
LOCAL EDITORIAL COMMENT
Worthwhile Venture
Next Tuesday night, Franklin
voters will be given an opportunity
to meet the candidates. As they have
done in past years, the League of
Women Voters and the Louisburg
Jaycees will sponsor such a meeting
here in the college auditorium.
Most of the candidates will be
there. Some have declined the in
vitation. Whatever their reason for
declining, it is regretable that they
will not be available to the people
at this particular meeting.
Their absence, of course, should
not reflect upon their candidacy, hut
those voters, interested enough in
the future of their communities to
attend the Tuesday meeting, will
have no way of comparing those pre
sent and those absent.
At any, rate most of the candi
dates will be present and available
for questions from the audience. In
past years, it has been made very
clear, some votes were gained and j.
some were lost; some people formed
their decisions after hearing the can
didates.
It is a worthwhile venture for
both the voter and vote seeker. The
two civic minded organizations spon
soring the event are to be commend
ed for their public service.
May 5th, Important Day
On every tree and in almost every
window, signs cry out to "Remember
me" on May 4. That's primary day,
of course. But, it's May 5 that should
linger in the minds of all taxpayers.
That's the day that's been dubbed
"Tax Freedom Day". According to
Rep. Edward J.Gurney (R-Fla.) that's
the day your money becomes your
own. From January 1 until May
every dollar you've made has gone
for 'federal, state and local taxes.
Il's^>een said that the average A
merican family will pay all govern
ments a total tax of about $3,^00 in
196N. That's an increase of $134
over l%7.
This is saddening news since
most still have the April 1^ hang
over. Rep. H. Allen Smith (R-Calif.)
discloses some other startling facts
about the money sent to the tax col
lector.
Taxpayers are allowed $600 de
duction for a child. Yet, to feed,
clothe, house and educate a youngs
ter in the Fefleral Government Job
Corps, it costs the taxpayer between
$7,000 and $11,000. Cuban refugees
receive $1200 from the American
taxpayer for their child and another
$1,000 if the child is attending
school.
To maintain one person in prison,
it costs the taxpayer $2,300 per yea i
and Uncle Sam spent $3.1 million in
the Vista program (Volunteers in
Service to America) and turned out
202 trainees. That's about $1^,000
per person.
And most already know that Uncle
gives the mother of an illegitimate
child $800 annually. And yet, only
$600 deduction per year for those
footing the bill for all the others.
There's a moral here someplace.
Maybe you can figure it out.
. i From Th? Offica Of
Congressman Fountain
Fountain Discusses Riots
Washington, QlC. . . .As this
Is written, It Is Impossible
to see what tlx next few days
have In store lor us. But
after the events of recent
weeks, nothing should be sur
prising any more.
All at us, however, can share
In the hope that the disorders,
riots, burnings, killings and
lootings are past.
The killing of Dr. Martin
Luther King was, of course,
unfortunate, tragic and cow
ardly, but it provided no Jus
tification for the violence that
followed. It was not even given
aa a reason In many Interviews
I have seen and read with
persons who took part. 1 think
It Is now fairly obvious that
his death was simply used as
an excuse for violence by
those who had no sorrow In
their hearts.
In Washington, the origin
of the trouble Is quite clear.
Shortly after news of the Mem
phis assassination reached
here, Stokely Carmlchael or
ganized a street gang and be
gan demanding of merchants
that they close their stores.
Ervin: Fundamental Principles Needed
Washington --The slaying of
Reverend Martin Luther King
was an astroclous and sense
less murder, but the violence
which has followed his death
has struck a very serious
blow at the foundations of an
orderly society.
Tragically, anarchy reigned
In some sections of the Na
tion's Capital for hours until
Federal troops restored order
In the aftermath of the worst
riots this fclty has seen. The
damage to downtown and mid
town areas of Washington ri
valled that which befell some
at Europe's cities during the
days of World War n.
Americans are questioning
and wondering where do we go
from here. What has happened
Illustrates anew what I have
been saying for some time
that America's most pressing
problem at home Is crime
and violence and we must
take steps to control It.
The time Is at hand for this
country to realize that every
citizen has the prime respon
sibility of doing his share to
maintain law and order. A
divided America can only
make matters worse.
In this hour, we need to
recur to fundamental princi
ples. Government cannot per
mit anarchy to reign and main
tain freedom, for every man
will than Jive in fear and an
orderly society will not exist. _
Indeed, the very functioning of
government Is dependent upon
respect for the rights and
safety of others. There Is a
real need today In America
for citizens to stand up for
human decency and against
the senseless conduct which
has brought our country shame
and misery and danger to Its
most cherished Institutions.
The Washington Post gave a
typical profile of the rioters
who brought destruction to
this City. It presented no pic
ture of poverty, but rather a
picture of an educated, Job
holding, emotionally destruc
tive populace . In many
instances, the Post reported
that the rioters were employed -
at good salaries by the Fed
eral Government.
In the aftermath of this vio
lence, there have been re
newed demands upon Congress
to bow to the demands of the
law-breakers and enact more
so-called civil rights laws.
Congress should never legis
late at gun point. Congress
should pass no law except
after calm deliberation. Every
major piece of legislation
which it enacts affects the
lives of two hundred million
Americans. This Is particu
larly true of a so-called civil
rights law which would rob
Americans at tbelr most prec
ious right, the right of pri
vate property.
in this hour the Courts have
a responsibility too. A ma
jority of the U.S. Supreme
Court Justices have express
ed a "soft attitude" toward
law violators In many recent
decisions. Often the Court has
left something to be desired
in the realm of protection of
private property. Indeed the
Court has Invented artificial
rules which hamper law en
forcemeat. In an effort to
deal with this, the Senate Ju
diciary Committee recently
favorably reported the Safe
Streets and Crime Bill which
contains three amendments
drafted and authored by me.
These amendments would
make It possible for trial
courts again to use voluntary
confessions in evidence a
galnst self-confessed crim
inals, to use eye witness test
imony to Identify the accused
In criminal trials, and to limit
endless appeals by convicted
criminals after his rights
have been reasonably protect
ed.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
' The Tar Heel Guardsman I
It Could Be Open Season On Society
If there were any doubt in the
minds of militant racial elements that
they should think twice before repeat
ing last summer's violent attacks on
society, The National Advisory Com
mission on Civil Disorders dispelled
them.
The commission, better known as
the President's riot-study committee,
did nothing more than declare open
season on society in its report of
March. So strong was the case for
those who took to the streets that even
, the anti-riot legislation tacked onto
the Senate Civil Rights Bill probably
will have little effect this year.
And chances are it will come be
fore the days grow hot. If the April
22 march on Washington is carried
out? and there's every reason to be
lieve that it will be? there are Ukely
to be "sympathy marches" staged si
multaneously in target cities in every
state.
That nothing but violence can
? come of such "sympathy" protests was
pointed out vividly in February in
Durham when windows were
smashed, people were injured and
several arrests followed such a demon
stration.
If it comes, and we're sure it will,
the "white racists" will be to blame,
for it is their prejudices that, keeps
"these people in their ghettos and di
vides our society.
Funny thing about it, though, it
the fact that the commission appar
ently overlooked those destitute and
poverty stricken whose skins are
white.
What about Inose mountain dwell
ers of Appalachia whose annual in
comes in many cases are below $2,
000? . What about the common labor
ers in almost any city who support
six kids on $00 weekly? These people
haven't taken to the streets in defi
ance.
Maybe the commission has a rea
son for not mentioning these poor un
fortunate souls, too. Maybe it's a
good reason, but we still would like
to know what it is.
v Now no private citizen has
the right or duty to tell another
private citizen what to do,
especially when the latter Is
engaged In going about his
own business In a responsi
ble, legal and hoaest manner.
But this Is what Carmlchael
did. He demanded that the
?tores be closed and ordered
customers to leave. Most did
so, obviously In tear of their
lives In the presence of Car
mlchael and his gang of young
toughs.
As Carmlchael moved along
the street, his gang grew In
size. Other residents crowded
out onto the streets to follow
and watch. In a few minutes
the trouble started. Soon
window-breaking, looting and
burning were rampant.
There Is no question In the
minds of many of the on-the
scene observers' here that
Stoke ly Carmlchael, who has
no support from the responsi
ble Negro community, Ignited
the violence In Washington
that ended only after more than
12,000 National Guardsmen
and Federal troops were call
ed In to restore order, and
after over 645 buildings, In
cluding 283 housing units and
909 businesses, were damag
ed or destroyed at a loss of
over $12.5 million, without
Including any of the contents
of this damaged or destroyed
property.
Any situation that de
generates into mob action Is
difficult to control. Car
mlchael knew that as well
as anyone. It has been re
ported here that his activity
started only after he re
ceived ? telephone call from
an unidentified source.
In any event, Carmlchael
should be swiftly prosecuted
lor his part ? a major pan
In Washington'* trouble. In
tact, I (till can't understand
why tin lone arm of the law
hag not already taken care of
him. If It doesn't soon, he
may well become the victim
of his own violent teachings.
it has become public know
ledge here that the authori
ties were so fearful that the
Negro residents of the area
being sacked were aboqt to de
clare open war on the rioters,
that a 5:30 p.m. curfew was
quickly changed to 4 p.m.
That early curfew Is credited
with saving Washington from
violence that might still be
raging.
IMs Is the point I want to
make. Only a very tew per
sons took part In the1 recent
disorders. The ones vtoo suf
fered the most were their
own neighbors and, for the
most part, of the saime race.
Martin Luther King would
not have condoned such vio
lence. His widow did i not. In
fact, even before be was
burled, she spoke out against
"? _L
I don't think any responsible
person of any race of creed
would even attempt to> excuse
such criminal destruction of
life and property because of
what happened in Memphis.
For, the good and safety of
every American ol every
creed and race and cotyr, such
criminal acts of violence
should and must be dealt with
promptly and firmly by what
ever means necessary if we
are to survive as a civilized
people and a free j nation.
Otherwise, nothing worth
while will be left for any of
us, black or white, rich or
poor, high or low, responsi
ble citizen or vanda? when
tomorrow come*. 1
OF IT..."
by
rank count
The buzzer In the outer office buzzed. "Send me Hubert",
the master's voice commanded. "Send me Hubert at once."
"Hubert, It took you 15 seconds to get here. What kept you?
If your are ever going to amount to anything, one thing you
got to be Is punctual. Do you understand, Hubert? Punctual
and obedient. Got that, Hubert?"
"At ease, Hubert. There's nobody here but us. You can sag
a little. Not too much. That's
It. Just stand at attention. You
can let your double chin sag
a little. I want you to be com
fortable, Hubert. No, of
course, you can't sit down.
Where do you think you are?"
"Hubert, my boy, I've got a
surprise for you. You been
wanting to fill my shoes for
sometime and they're getting
*o they give my corns a fit.
So, Hubert, I have decided to
give them to you. They may not
fit and they're a little scuffed,
but If you think you can wear
them, you can have them. Of
course, you understand they'll
still be mine. I'm Just going
to sort of lend them to you
for a spell".
"What do I mean? Ob, come
on Hubert. You know perfectly
well what I mean. Don't I al
ways say what I mean? Speak
up Hubert, we're alone. You can express yoursemreeiy. uun i
I always say what 1 mean? Hubert, you're mumbling again."
"Now, my boy, you know there are a lot of people who would
like to have these shoes. Been a lot of boys asking for them
lately. Ever since I let It slip out that 1 wasn't going to wear
them any longer. But, I said to the Queen Just the other night. .
I said, Queen. . . .1 bet Hubert would like to have these shoes.
That's what 1 said. I said Hubert has been loyal. He has laid
out the right colored tie on every occasion; he has never for
gotten to kiss my feet or to pay homage to his King. I bet
Hubert would like to have these shoes. That's what I told
the Queen Just the other night.
"Naw, Hubert. I can't tell you what she said. That wouldn't
be proper. A King never discloses what goes on between
Mm and his Queen. Hubert, you ought to know that. Some
times, Hubert, I wonder about you. Maybe you don't deserve
my shoes."
"Well, that's alright. Don't cry. Seems, I'm always for
giving you for something. But, never matter about that. I
can give the shoes to that rich kid up on the hill. He's been
dying to get them ever since his brother had a pair like
'em. Or I could give them to that loud-mouth from your
neighborhood. He thinks he deserves them more'n you."
"Then there's that fellow In New York and that actor in
Hollywood and I don't know how many others. But, Hubert
you are loyal. I said to the Queen Just the other night. Queen,
I said, Hubert Is loyal. He knows a smart man when he sees
one. He always agrees with me. All them others think I make
a mistake now and then, tut Hubert knows better. Queen, I
said, Hubert knows I never make mistakes."
"So Hubert, my boy. I have decided to give these old shoes
to you. I Intend to drop in to see them every day or so. No,
Hubert, you will not have to stand at attention then. Yes, you
can bow down, If It will make you feel better. But, the main
thing, Hubert, is that I don't want you to get the idea that
they're your shoes. 1 Just might take a notion to wear them
myself from time to time. Now, you understand that, don't
you Hubert?"
"1 know it moves you boy. My what? Oh, yes, my generosity
does overwhelm you, does it. Well, Hubert there's one other
condition. You see, I got a couple of sons-in-law and they'll
be needing Jobs pretty soon. . . .and, I thought you would,
Hubert. . .and Hubert, there's another thing or two. . .Hubert,
are you listening. . . .Hubert Hubert Where arp.
you going?
Shows Franklin | Has 7,275 Students
Franklin County bad 7,275 children
enrolled In Its two school systems at
the end of the first month' of reporting
with 5,874 enrolled In the county sys
temand 1,401 enrolled In the Franklln
ton City system. The two units employ
306 professionals, 240 In the county
and 66 In Frankllnton. Of these, 57
In the county unit are men and 19
men work In the Frankllnton system,
Indicating that teaching 1* still mostly
a woman's profession In this area.
The county system has 17 persons
holding less than an "A" certificate
and the Frankllnton unit has four.
Both units have four teachers teach
ing out of field. The county unit has
one teacher paid locally and Frank
llnton has two receiving a supplement,
according to the surrey. Twenty brand
new teachers are working In the county
system and 9 are employed by Frank
llnton.
Improving situations throughout the
public schools of tbs state, as to
adequacy of personnel, facilities and
pupil-staff ratio, are revealed in the
12th annual Fall School Survey Just
complied by the State Department of
Public Instruction. At the same time,
some needs are Indicated, accordlre
to state Superintendent Charles F.
Carroll.
At the end of the first month of
operation of the current year, 1,193,
267 pupils were enrolled?a state
wide Increase of *,<77 or .S percent
over the corresponding date last year.
A 3.4 percent Increase over last year
In the number of professional personnel
Is shown (52,853, an Increase ofl,806).
The pupil-staff ratio has shown a
steady improvement during the 12
year history of the surrey. In 1956,
the ratio was 28 students to one pro
fessional employee (Including princi
pals, teachers, and supervisors) while
tbt 1967 Report shows the ratio to he
22.6 to one.
As to enrollment, the greatest In
crease? 6l564 students or 1.93 per
cent of the total Increase? occurred in
the high (schools. On the elementary
level the. Increase was 2,993. The
overall Increase represents the larg
est single-year Increase since the
1964 eurviy.
Disregarding enrollment changes
brought about by the merging of school
systems, j a total of 64 of the 180
county artl city systems In the state
reported an overall enrollment de
I
The Fraj$j#n Times
? I III I I IfW Tm>?l 4 TWetaye HP
> TH? FrwkUa Tints, l?c.
uwMum, >. c.
crease. Thirty-seven of the state's
100 counties show an overall enroll
ment decrease In the twenty-year
period from 1965 to 1967. Of the 63
counties showing Increases In enroll
ment In the 12-year period, five had
Increases of more than 40 percent
Cumberland, 83.1 percent; Mecklen
burg, 63.3; Onslow, S3.6; Wake, 48.6;
and Guilford, 43.8. ? >
IXiring the 12-year period covered by
the annual survey there has been an
18.22 percent Increase In enrollment
and a 46 percent Increase In total
professional personnel. Of the 52,853
professional persons in the schools
of the state, a total of 50,176 held
either Class "A" or Graduate cer
tificates (94.9 percent of the total),
an Increase of 1,282 over last year.
The school administrative units of
Ifcincombe, Durham City, G&stonla, and
Wilson City are employing the largest
number of professional persons hold
ing Class "A" or Graduate certifi
cates this year.
The number of men in the professional
staff of the schools Increased by 806
over a year ago (12,293 In 1967 as
compared to U,487 In 1966). Men now
constitute 23.3 percent of the total
professional personnel? a slight gain
over the 20.20 percent In 1956. Of the
12,293 men employed, 7,349 are In
the high schools. In 1966, high schools
employed 70 percent of the total male
professional personnel.