Newspapers / The Franklin Press and … / Dec. 27, 1956, edition 1 / Page 2
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(Elt* S\tntxkiin |rm anil <lkt JInjItlan&s fflnzxtnmvi i Second class mall privileges authorised at Franklin, N. C. Published every Thursday by The Franklin Press Telephone 24 I WXQIAR JONES . . . BOB 8. SLOAN . . . . J. P. BRADY .... ROLFE NEILL UBS. ALLEN SILEB . . . ICRS. STANLEY E. PENLAND CARL P. CA BE .... FRANK A. 8TARRETTE . O. B. CRAWFORD . . . CHARLES E. WHITTINOTON DAVID H. 8UTTON . . . Editor . . Advertising Manager . . News Editor-Photographer . t Reporter Society Editor-Office Manager . . Proofreader . . . Operator-Machinist Compositor ...... Stereotypes Commercial Printer SUBSCRIPTION RATE8 Outbids Macon County One Year $3.00 fllx Month* 1.71 Three Months .... 1-00 Two Tears W Three Tears .... 7.30 INSXDK MACON COUNTY One Tear $2 JO Six Month* I T# Three Months .... 1.00 Two Tetri 4J5 Three Tear* 0 00 DECEMBER 27, 1956 Basic Question i / ? We in the mountains like a man to say what he thinks. So we make our best mountain manners to Federal Judge William H. Atwell, of Dallas, Texas. The Supreme Court's segregation decision is not based on law, judge Atwell says flatly; "but rath er on what the Court regards as . . . authoritative, modern psychological knowledge". Judge Atwell may be wrong. But that is not the point. The point is that surely, among the hundreds of federal judges in this county, there are others who hold the same view. Yet, in the two and a half years since the segregation decision not one has dared express it. And there is a second point, even more important than the character of our federal judges. Judge At well may be wrong; but he could be right. And if he is, then we are faced with a much more funda mental question than that of segregation. We are face to face with the question of whether we in this country shall continue to be governed by law or whether we are to be governed by a judicial oli garchy. Fitting We, in this community, can never hope to get ahead through sheer size and quantity ; natural conditions and circumstances make that almost impossible. If we are to excel, we must do so through such qualities as originality and simplic ity. We are blessed that the situation forces this choice upon us. First of all, because those are among the qualities of all true greatness, whether of an individual or a people ; thus we must empha size qualities that tend toward greatness. Second ? and less important ? such qualities pay far hand somer dividends, in dollars as well as inner satis faction, than size and quantity ever can. And we are blessed again that we, as a .people, are richly en dowed with originality and .simplicity. It was fitting, therefore, that the judges of the Rural Community Development Christmas lighting contest should have put major emphasis on these two things in selecting the first-place winner. The Higdonville Community is to be congratu lated not only on winning the first prize, but even more on putting emphasis where it belongs. If Winter Comes . , . Somebody (the weatherman, maybe) said it was supposed to be the first day of winter last Friday, but apparently, nobody told winter. The day was as beautiful as any of spring's daughters. Picknickers at Arrowood Glade, a summer suit on one fellow we saw, cardinals and woodpeckers in evidence, a greater number than usual of cars go ing the wrong way on one-way streets ? what bet ter signs of spring than these? Besides, whatever the weather, now that winter is officially here, we can take heart. For "if Vvinter comes, can spring be far behind?" Add Definitions Here are some definitions given by the Bulletin Free Press, a Colorado newspaper: A recession is a period when you tighten your belt. In a depression yon have no belt to tighten. When you have a* pants to hold up it's a panic. And when you haven't even underwear, we sup pose, it is naked inflation. Insane Idea The U. S. Constitution provides that if the Presi dent is unable to perform his duties, the Vice Pres ident shall do so. But it fails to say how Presiden tial disability shall be determined, or by whom. The Congressional Quarterly reports that a House committee is drafting legislation to settle the question ; it would authorize the Vice President to decide when the President is incapacitated. That's right, the Vice President ! The man who rarely is either a physician or a psychiatrist, the man who often is completely out of sympathy with the President's program, and the man who has most to gain, in power and prestige, by having the President declared unable to perform his duties ? the man, in fact, who probably sought the Presi dency in the first place, but had to settle for the second honor. Isn't that a little like letting a husband or wife determine when his or her spouse is crazy enough to be put out of the way ? in an insane asylum? 1 I Others' Opinions (Opinions expressed In this space are not necessarily those I ef The Press. Editorials selected for reprinting here. In fact, are cboeen with a view to preeentlng a variety of viewpoints. They are. that Is, Just what ths caption says ? OTHER* Opinions.) The Easy Way Is Seldom Best (Rocky Mount Telegram) An amazingly cavalier and contemptuous reason Is being advanced In behalf of the Weathers Commission's legislative reapportionment plan by the Sanford Herald and echoed by the Greensboro Daily News. The idea is that the Commission's compromise program is more acceptable because It avoids a dreadful pitfall inherent in the Weimar Jones minority plan, a snare which the Herald describes as follows: "We wonder If North Carolinians would obtain represen tation by the best minds under a system of the counties being limited to a single representative (as under the Jones proposal). Because North Carolina Is principally rural, the house would be characterized by a rural out look. The influence of urbanism would be mostly in the senate (which Jones would limit to 50 on a population basis.) Compromise would have to be worked out on an inter-chamber rather than an lntra-chamber basis, which involves many disadvantages." In refutation we can only quote the great jurist, Oliver Wendell Holmes, who once observed that "no generalization, including this one, is worth a damn." It seems to us that the theory expounded by the Sanford Herald and the Greensboro Daily News that the urban areas will produce more enlight ened legislators is based on an untenable generalization which history Itself effectively denies. Some of the nation's leading statesmen, including such towering figures as Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson, sprang from rural backgrounds and more often than not rep resented rural areas. The same is true of North Carolina's greatest sons. This erroneous assumption is compounded by the view that the enlightened, urban-elected Senate would be constantly deadlocked with the dumb clucks In the House, elected by the rural counties. The Sanford Herald, having ruled out the possibility of compromise between these supposedly impossible-divergent legislative branches, then cities compromise as the best de fense for the Weathers report: "Compromise Is the key to successful legislation. It Is the key, too, to an effective system of legislative representa tion. While compromise weakens the Weathers report, it strengthens it also, for it affords It a definite chance of enactment and constitutional amendments being Involved, ratification." This labored rationalization of the Weathers Commission recommendation only strengthens our belief in the Jones mi nority position. In the first place, it is difficult for us to imag ine any such weird coalescing of rural and urban representa tion as that projected by our Piedmont colleagues. It seems to us that the experience of Congress, where one house is based solely on population and the other on geogra phical representation, serves as the most convincing argument for the soundness of the Jones position. North Carolinians should think long and hard before amend ing the constitution to provide for a hodge-podge of represen tation based in part on population in both houses simply be cause such a plan is believed to have the best chance of adopt ion. The easy way is seldom the best way. When you make your buy-word cash, it's a lot easier to get away from worry. Letters Glaring Deficiencies Dear Mr. Jones: I am attaching a clipping from the front page of the Dec. 11 issue of The Asheville Citizen for fear that you may have overlooked it, or failed to attach the proper importance to it. Also enclosed are copies of letters to the Macon County Commissioners and the Macon County Board of Education (copies of which were given to your paper) from the commit tee of Macon County Parent-Teacher Associations dated June 29, 19^6. These documents are presented to you with the suggestion that they be printed as a service to the people of Macon County. A a a further suggestion I believe the Question No. 3 of your "Post-Election Questions" editorial of Nov. 15 is worthy of being re -printed. It should also be Interesting to have a report on the response. If any, you have received to your thought-provolclng question. In your editorial, you stated "These questions are raised as criticism of nobody". As editor of a newspaper this statement was probably a diplomatic necessity. As an Independent vot ing citizens, I do not feel the need for such diplomacy. I firm ly believe that every citizen of the county has a right to criti cise the county commissioners, the board of education, the superintendent of the county schools, and the board of elec tions (as well as any other officials responsible) for the glar ing deficiencies of Macon County. If the present county commissioners refuse to announce a percentage of value for which property should be listed for tax purposes, (and take whatever additional steps are necessary to correct alleged inequities) and provide sufficient tax qioney for the necessary operations of the schools, they should be re placed at the next election. After all, If anyone Is being short changed by the present tax listing methods, it is the small tax payers and they should certainly represent the majority at the polls. The idea of replacement should hold true for all other coun ty officials, If they fail to meet the standards expected. Sincerely, FRED C. VAUGHN > Franklin. (EDITOR'S NOTE: The Asheville Citizens news story Mr. Vaughn refers to carried an announcement that the Buncombe County Board of Tax Supervision had set 40 per cent of the current market value as the amount at which real estate In Buncombe County Is to be listed for taxes. This action follow ed and was based on a two-year reappraisal survey of Bun combe County real estate, made by an out-of-county concern. The survey was designed to set fair market value on each piece of real estate In Buncombe County. The Question No. 3 in The Press editorial of November 15 asked: "Why must our voting facilities suggest the American pio neer period? Booths made of unpalnted boards, the entrances covered with half-curtains of ragged and frayed burlap; and, within the booth, a cardboard shelf ? sometimes broken In two ? on which to place the ballot for marking. Voting Is a sacrtd privilege and a grave responsibility. It should be a dignified process. Is Macon County so poor that It cannot provide facilities that lend an air of dignity? so poor the facilities cannot be at least neat?" (Of the two letters of last July from the Parent-Teacher Associations Special Committee, the one to the board of edu cation informed that body that a letter was being sent to the board of county commissioners and Included tables of budget figures. The second letter, which was presented to the county commissioners by Mr. Vaughn, made four recommendations. Each of those recommendations was summarized In a front page news story In The Press of last July 5 For the informa tion of the public, however, we are glad to comply with Mr. Vaughn's request that it be published In full. It appears be low.) County Commissioners Macon County Franklin, North Carolina Gentlemen: 1 we have been Informed that the Board of Education has Instructed the County Superintendent to include an additional amount of approximately $18,000.00 in the School Budget for the year 1956-1957 under the items of Operation of Plant (Utilities, Sanitation and Janitorial Supplies, etc.) and Malnt anance of Plant. The figure for the first item in the 1955 1956 budget was $9,950.00. Of this amount $7,900.00 was ex pected to be required for Water, Light, and Power and $1, 700.00 for Fuel, leaving only the small amount of $350.00 for all other operational needs. Of the $14,600.00 figure for the second item approximately $6,000.00 was for salaries, leaving only $8,600 to cover repair and maintenance needs of 14 build ings. In order to relieve the teachers and principals in our schools of the burden of operating candy stores, and the PTA's of raising funds for school operation and maintenance, and to distribute the burden of supporting our schools among all tax payers, we recommend that you provide these necessary addi tional funds from County Tax moneys by approving these Items of the budget as presented to you. 2 ? In studying the Audit Reports for the years 1953-1954 and 1954-1955 and the 1955-1956 Budget we note a Contribu tion To Debt Servioe in the amount of approximately $3,000.00 (to cover repayment of loan obtained to build Chapel School) listed in the Disbursement of Current Operating Expense. It is also understood that similar arrangements may be made to repay another $28,000.00 loan which was obtained to complete the High School Gymnasium. In order to relieve the Current Operating Expense Budgets of these Capital Outlay Expenditures we recommend that ar rangements be made to repay these loans from Capital Out lay Funds and proper steps be taken to prevent future ex penditures from Current Operating Funds to cover Capital Outlay Expenditures, 3 ? In view of the $16,920.00 figure for Transportation (most of which covers salaries of bus drivers) in the 1955-1956 Budg et, we suggest the consideration of replacing the adult bus drivers with student (or teacher?) drivers wherever possible in order to effect needed economies. Student bus drivers have proven themselves to be safe drivers throughout the state and we can see no need for any concern in this respect. 4? In talking with members of the various PTA's in prepa ration for the filing of these recommendations this committee found a majority of those citizens expressing themselves on the subject to be In favor of providing additional tax money to cover the needs of our school system even If it means an increased tax rate. However, some oppose an increased tax rate until a re evaluation of property has been made. Further discussion of this matter developed the feeling that the majority of Macon County Taxpayers are honest and would list their property for some certain percentage of its actual market value (purchase or sale price) if the County Commissioners and/or Tax Listers would establish and publicize some percentage figure to be used by all property owners. Those few people who might insist upon shirking their responsibilities as citizens by fail ing to list property In accordance with such an established percentage could be encouraged to do so by the Board of Equalization. As a matter of Information, and possibly tp point out the need for an Increased valuation of property in Macon County, we want to record here the fact that Macon County's assessed valuation of taxable property per pupil in 1954 was $3,905 00 The average for the State was $6,162.00, with Macon County ranking 58th among the 100 counties in the State in this re spect. We do not feel that the county is as poor as these fig ures indicate. We recommend that serious consideration be given to the above possible means of obtaining the money necessary for Macon County's School System. We feel sure that in your position you win recognize these needs and that you will See that our schools are adequately financed by tax money. Respectfully, COMMITTEE OF MACON COUNTY PARENT-TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONS VIEWS e ?r BOB SLOAN Two things at Franklin High School, recently brought to my attention by Irritated patrons, could and should be corrected, The admission charge for high school basketball games of fifty cents for school children and one dollar for adults la too high and should be cut in half. Most schools In the surrounding area charge 25 cents and SO or 75 cents. Consider the plight of a man who has three or four school children, one of whom Is playing on the team. Naturally the whole family wants to see "Bud" or "Sis" play. However, the poor old man of the house has to dig down and produce about $3.50 for each game. If they only attend the home games, the cost Is some $40 or $50 each season, and that is too much. Another sore subject is the way the annual Washington trip for seniors has been hand led or mishandled this year. To begin with a large group of young people have been let down. A large group of boys and girls had paid their money to go to Washington, many of them had worked and saved for a year or more, to get the money so that when they be came seniors they could make the trip. Now, it's just a broken dream. As one big gawky boy told me with a tremor in his voice, "Last year, when the bus left, I said : 'Next year I am go ing to be on that bus.' Now, there won't be any bus." This same student pointed out that " it was the only chance many of them would ever have to visit Washington. Perhaps, Principal Harry Cor bin had a point when he ex plained that a majority of the class would not be making the trip. However, we wonder If this wasn't because of the cost rath er than lack of interest. Also, we wonder if the class, as a whole, was given the opportun itp to engage in a project ? and I mean a working project, not begging ? whereby enough mon ey could be raised to pay the expenses of the entire group. Do You Remember? (Looking backward through the Hies of The Press) 58 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK During these cold days Cupid has not been entirely Idle. As a result of his work, Mr. J. M. Hurst and Miss Elsie Cordan were married today, so we understand. The Rev. P. R. Rickman offici ated. ? Cowee item. A small blizzard came Friday afternoon with north wind and flying snow, which continued through Saturday. The thermo meter went down to 22 degrees Sunday and was 12 degrees Mon day. Mr. L. M. Johnson killed a hog a few days ago which had one foot with three dewclaws. We know this to be a fact, for we saw it on Friday. 25 YEARS AGO The Rev. Robt. B. H. Bell has selected Franklin as the site for development of a health and train ing center for the Life Abundant Movement. He will purchase the Franklin golf course and Camp Nikwasi frojn Miss Laura Jones vfO?_/his headquarters. W. A. McNeil, resident engineer for the State Highway Depart ment, has been transferred to Highlands, effective January 1. Allen Si'er, who has worked here for the department the last seven years, will go to Asheville. This Is considered a promotion for Mr. Siler. ? Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jim Nor- ? ton, a nine pound son at their home on Iotla Street. 10 YEARS AGO Miss Virginia Cansler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cansler, of Franklin, Route 3, who attends Iotla Methodist Sunday School, has been given an award for six years of perfect attendance. In opening a greenhouse on the Dillard Road, Mrs. M. M. Hopper has begun a new venture for this section. She also plans to open a gift shop in the spring, handling only hand-made articles. ? Highlands Item. Chart es P. Myers, seaman first class, returned to the naval air station at Charleston, W. Va., after a 10-day leave with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Myers, of Bonny Crest.
The Franklin Press and the Highlands Maconian (Franklin, N.C.)
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Dec. 27, 1956, edition 1
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