Newspapers / The Franklin Press and … / Oct. 30, 1958, edition 1 / Page 2
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^franklin ^rrss atth Chr JHtgbinnite JBanmnm Second class mall privileges authorized at Pranklln. N C Puollshed every Thursday by The Franklin Press Telephone 24 Established in 1886 as The Franklin Press Member. N. C. Press Association, National Editorial Association, Carolines Press Photographers Association. Charter member. National Conference of \*eeklf Newspaper Editors. BOB S SLOAN Publisher and Advertising Manager WEIMAR JONES Editorial Editor J P BRADY News Editor MRS ROBERT BRYSON Office Manager MRS BOB SLOAN . Society Editor CARL P. CABE Operator Machinist CHARLES WHITTINOTON Operator FRANK A. STARR ETTE . Compositor <3 E CRAWFORD Pressman HOWARD JOHNSON Sterotyper ? CLEVE KINGSBERRY Salesman DAVID SUTTON Commercial Printer SUBSCRIPTION RATES Insidk Macon County Outside Macon County One Year $3.00 One Year $3.50 Six Months ... 2 00 Six Months ... 2.25 Three Months ... 1.25 Three Months 1.50 Two Years 5.25 Two Years 6.25 Three Years . . 7.50 Three Years 9.00 THURSDAY. OCTOBER 30, 1958 Should Be Defeated "When Macon County voters go to the polls Tues day, they not only will choose between the Demo 'cratic and Republican nominees for federal, state, And county offices. They also will vote on a propos ed amendment to the Constitution of North Caro lina. The amendment would increase the jurisdiction of justice of the peace courts. 1 ' ' ? We need inferior courts in North Carolina, to dispose of minor infractions of the law, and thus avoid clogging the superior courts; and it may be the justice of the peace courts are the answer to that need. There is, moreover, considerable force to the argument that justices of the peace should be given ?enough authority to dispose of traffic cases involv ing out-of-state defendants. There are. though, several good reasons, it seems to us, why this amendment should not be adopted ? a< least at this time. First of all, it is generally agreed there are many abuses in the justice of the peace courts. Most of them, perhaps, grow out of a bad system. To cite just one example, a justice of the peace gets no compensation for his services, unless he finds the defendant guilty or binds him over to superior court. Obviously, a man dispensing justice should be paid a salary, not required to convict in order to p,et paid. Before we give the justices of the peace tnore authority, we Ought to eliminate the causes of the abuses already present in the system. In the second place, the Bell committee has made an exhaustive study of North Carolina courts, and will present recommendations to the General As sembly for reforms, of all the courts. It would seem logical to wait to see what happens to that plan for general reform, before we do it piecemeal, in a single judicial area. Finally, a commission is at work on proposed 'general revision of the state's constitution. Again, it would sjjiJm to make sense, since there is a pos ? sibility of a wholesale revision of the constitution, to dispose of that general plan before we adopt a single amendment ? especially since that amend ment is of doubtful wisdom. This proposed amendment should be defeated. Buy What We Want At a Hudgct Commission hearing in Raleigh, it Was brought oat that the University of North Carolina is losing many of its best professors be cause institutions in other states pay higher sal aries. Commenting on the problem. Governor Hodges said he hoped the day will come "when we won't have to talk in public" about such a situation. It's bad psychology, he said ; and suggested that the state institutions ought to handle their "own spe cific problems without calling attention to how poor we are". Then the Governor added: . . and we arc poor". This newspaper has great respect for Governor Hodges. It always has felt he is both dedicated and intelligent. But this time we believe he must have spoken without thinking. ?Because we arc not poor. North Carolina is a irich state. ? If \y*a doubt that, count the new cars on the highways; count the thousands at Saturday foot ball games; count the millions spent for alcohol and tobacco and a score of other non-essentials. North Carolina is not poor, in money. We buy What we want and value. We don't pay our pro 44 Amen, Brother! lint ? Uh ? Firsh Gimme A fJI S- Snort T'Build Up My S-S-Strength" PROPO*t0 NtW P0V/E?SJ fessors more because we rate these other things higher than we do education. If we are poor at all, it is in our sense of values. And that, Governor, it cause for shame. The 'Republic Party'? In a speech in Los Angeles last week, President Eisenhower lit into the political opposition. For that, we have no quarrel with him; for this is an election year. And, after all, Mr. Eisenhower is a Republic; he is the leader of the Republics; and it is only natural for him to seek victory for the Republic party. But . . . Why the misuse of that word "Republic"? was it a twice repeated typographical error? No. It was used deliberately ? to call attention to what we do quarrel with the President about ; his misuse of a word. For throughout that speech, he is reported to have referred to the opposition as the "Democrat , party". The word "Democrat", of course, is a noun, and only a noun. When the term is placed before the word "party", to tell what party, it becomes an' adjective. And the adjective, and the only adjective, says Webster, is "Democratic". It's the "Democratic party". It's no more the "Democrat party" than the opposition is the "Re public party". Next thing you know, we'll be hearing a mem ber of the Socialist party referred to as a "Social ite". Fudging On Ourselves (Chapel Hill Weekly) A woman said, "I'm going to the hospital the week of the 14th and so won't be able to come to your party. I wish that you were having the party this week or the week of the 21st because then I could help you with it." The woman wasn't sick. She was going to the hospital for her annual physical examination. Her doctor could easily per form the same diagnostic check-up in his office or in the private diagnostic day clinic. The woman is going to the hospital for her examination because in this way her hospitalization Insurance will pay for her hospital bed, her X-rays and for some other diagnostic aids that will be used. This practice Is widespread. In fact, it is almost universal among holders of hospitalization policies. The first major consequence of this practice is that It in creases the nee* for additional hospital beds. Hence the plea that North Carolina needs 4.5 beds per 1,000 population and has only 3.4 per 1,000. The second major consequence of the practice Is that It raises the rates of hospital Insurance. The Insurance com panies get all their money from the policy holders. When the cost rises, the premiums must go up. Many hospitals were given to the communities by wealthy people. Only In recent years have the taxpayers been asked to build hospitals. Even now many people are not aware of the money they pay for the building and maintenance of hos pitals since it Is an part of their state taxes, or In some cases city taxes. It Is also part of their federal taxes. Hospitals and hospital beds are expensive. All the nurses and doctors and other aids needed to care for a single hos pital bed are expensive. All those expenses must be paid by the people. If the X-rays and other diagnostic equipment is readily available In the doctor's office, is it smart to use a bed? Is that the best use to which I can put my dollar? In the end our practice is only cheating our own pocketbooks and the people who really need the hospital beds we use. Then there are some people who think a Joke must be bad to be good.? Oranlte City. 111., Press-Record. STRICTLY PERSONAL u, wfjmar jones In our relations with others, of whatever race, age, class, or con dition. it's a good idea not to carry too many chips on our shoulders. Usually I've found it wise, in fact, to assume the best about the other fellow. At the least, we do well to wait and see, before we damn another human being. I had that brought home to me the other day. I was making a trip by bus. The bus was crowded, and 1 had to go well toward the back to find a seat. At a rest stop, I got off. First, though, I took down a brief case, from the rack above, and left it in my seat, to make sure some body didn't, get my place. When I returned, the seat was ' occupied by an elderly Negro woman. I saw no sign of the brief , case, though; and so thought maybe that wasn't my place, after . all. I looked in other seats; still ' no sign of the case. Puzzled, I said, half to myself: "I left a brief case here some where." A Negro man across the aisle pointed to the elderly colored woman. "It's behind her." he said. I looked, and sore enough, there it was. standing upright in the seat, just as I had left it, with the woman leaning against it. That was my seat. The pres ence of the luggage in it proved it was my seat. The woman must have known it was occupied, I thought. And so I stood and waited. She didn't offer me my seat. She didn't apologize for having taken it. She didn't make a move, even, to give me the case. She just sat, and stared straight a head. At last I leaned over, grasped the case, and pulled it from be hind her. Then I started looking Learning From The Presidents (The New Republic) The last three Presidents each taught us something? Frank lin Roosevelt that one man can be President Indefinitely; Tru man that anybody can be President; and Eisenhower that we can get on without having any President. Meat And Potatoes (Colorado Bulletin Free Press) What are the meat and potatoes of good government? It's not as complicated as you tjilnk . . . Good government is de pendent on good men in government. It's as simple as that. If we continue to let our political campaigns degenerate to the level of cat and dog fights or hillbilly road jshows, we're asking for the messes in government we've got right now. Slinging the most mud or strumming a guitar are poor qual ifications for dog catcher, let alone running the biggest busi ness in the state and natidn. Seek Racial Dispersion (Trends In Housing, Publication of National Committee Against Discrimination In Housing) Aimed at developing city-wide patterns of racial dispersion, action groups in a number of communities are developing care fully planned programs for the specific purpose of bringing together white sellers and non-white purchasers of housing far removed from ghetto areas. The majority of the projects are spearheaded by church groups. In one city of about 200,000 population, the group success fully put 40 non-white families in contact with private sellers or landlords within a period of 24 months (39 Negro, 1 Orien tal; 36 purchasers, 4 rentals). The significant point is that the new homes of the non-white families are located In 12 different sections of the town ? outside of the three general areas in which Negroes traditionally have resided. In this particular community, the group describes its activ ities as follows: 1) it gathers data on the private housing market ? available buyers, sellers, cooperating brokers, possible sources of funds, etc.; 2) it puts the prospective buyer in touch with the seller; and 3) it gives advice as to timing and planning, and undertakes to help solve any community prob lems which may arise. Brokers who are prepared to show and sell houses without regard to race are sought out and good working relationships developed, where possible. Also, a search is made for coopera tive banks and lending agencies. In some cases, financing must be found outside of the local lending market. This quiet social action process is under way In a score or more towns and cities in various sections of the country. All the programs are directed at establishing a pattern of racial dispersion over the entire community. (or another seat, and finally found one, still farther back In the bus. Sitting there, I fumed. That was my seat. I had a right to It. I was being a fool, I told myself, to give It up. I started to go demand it. I thought of all the nasty things I'd say if she refused to more. I even considered taking it up with the driver. Then I realized, a little asham ed, that this was much too small a matter to make a scene over; much too small to get my blood pressure up about. So I leaned back, looked out the window, and turned my thoughts to other things. Was I annoyed because it was a Negro who took my seat? I asked myself, as I tried to analyze my feelings latef. I couldn't bo sure until I happened to think of another passenger. She was a young white woman, load-mouth ed and gum-chewing. When it came time to board the bus, at the start of the journey, she had been the last person to arrive; but. Instead of taking her place at the end of the line, she had pushed ahead pushed ahead of elderly men and women and at least two women with babies in their arms ? and so had been one of the first to get on. IN OUR OWN BACKYARDS There is a famous story about two children who set out in search for the Bluebird of Happiness. They traveled to many places over the world but they never found it. Finally, they gave up their search and returned home. To their great surprise, they found in their own back yard, the Blue bird, singing away loud and clear. The moral of this story to Americans Is that there is a real touch of magic all around us ? figuratively, right In our own back yard. One of the easiest ways to discover it and explore it is by drawing a circle of any radius, using your home as the center point for the compass. Your magic circle can be fifty, a hundred, two hundred miles, in diameter and your magic carpet to all of the pleasure and adventure In this circle is your automobile. Actually, you'll discover, if you look around you, many scenic and historic places in your own com munity that certainly warrant a visit. And sometimes, too, driving nowhere in particular and just letting the road be your guide can be the best fun of all. You'll discover aM sorts of interesting things about our countryside that perhaps you hadn't realized be fore. It can be fun and education for the entire family. LJke the children in the story, you'll discover the real Joy of life isn't as far away from you as you once might have thought. ?Industrial News Service When I thought of her, I knew the answer to my question. It wasn't racial prejudice. For I knew quite well if it had been that young white woman who had stolen my seat, I'd have demanded it back, in no uncertain terms. As I sat in my new seat, gaz ing out the window, that elderly woman's (ace suddenly appeared in my mind. What was it familiar about her? Where had I seen her before? Then I remembered. She had got on the bus when I got off at the rest stop, and now I recalled the circumstances. A porter had led her on, I had noted at the time. She was blind. For the next few minutes, imagination made my life miser able. Suppose I had demanded my seat, suppose I had called the driver, suppose I had made nasty remarks ? all over a seat for .a blind woman! Yes, sir; it's a good idea to wait and see. before we damn another hum?n being. COMIC BOOKS NOW, DIME NOVELS THEN Every once in a while we run across the fact that parents and others interested In the welfare of children express the belief that fewer "blood and thunder" comic books would aid in combatting juvenile delinquency. The possibility exists that these individuals are correct, but, in their criticism of the literature of youth, they are following the example of earlier generations. There has hardly been a time in the history of the country when the adults of the nation did not criticize the literature of the young people of their day. The modern comic book probab ly provides modern youth with the same thrill that their elders got out of the "dime novel." It might be better of course, if youth would take to the reading of the classics, or some useful and informative tomes on practical subjects, but the way to persuade them to make the change Is not apparent. With many' of them, it is a case of read ing the "comic books" or reading nothing. ? Cleveland Times at Shelby. I UNCLE ALEX'S SAYIN'S The thlnr that ain't worth doin' slow ain't worth doin'. It's got so we say it's "norm al" for a feller to be just like ever'body else. Shucks! that's abnormal. They ain't enough time in a whole long life fer a man to do as much meanness as some political candidates is charged with in one campaign. DO YOU REMEMBER? Looking Backward Through the Files of The Press 65 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK , (1893) This year's chestnut crop here is said to be the largest ever known. Our new sidewalks will soon be done. The curbing and sand are all down, the brick burnt and are being hauled in and put in place. People will soon be able to keep out of the mud. There is one thing Congress or a Village Corporation can't do. That is keep children from being born barefoot. As long as they are thus born, they will need shoes, and to meet the emergency I have just received a line of first class shoes for women, men, and children. ? Adv. 25 YEARS AGO (1933) The United States Forest Service road from Kyser's store on Highway No. 28, eight miles west of Franklin, through the Nantahala National Forest to Nantahala station, is to be widened to at least 16 feet all the way and surfaced with stone. 10 YEARS AGO Miss Clyde Berry was married to Richard SLagle Saturday afternoon at St. John's Episcopal Church on Cartoogechaye. Approximately 100 members, representing the 10 Home Dem onstration clubs in Macon County, attended the Achievement Day program at the Agricultural Building last Thursday. MAY REVOLT FLOURISH! Trend To Conformity, Unchecked, Will Muzzle Free Speech Aaheville Timts About 75 years ago Walt Whit man said that the function of the American poet was "to cheer up slaves and horrify despots." Those were glorious words then and even more so today in view of the decline of our nation's in fluence in a confused and danger ous world. They are as true. In a democracy as in totalitarian des potism. into which democracies degenerate when an invisible, painless despotism Is exercised over the mind. When the bold and brilliant columnist Dorothy Thompson re tired from Journalistic work a short time ago she said: "What has disturbed me most in America since World War II is what seems to be a frightful uniformity of thinking, as though there were only one respectable and permissible viewpoint on any larger public question, this pres sure toward conformity coming from regimented groups and or ganizations bent, not merely on expressing their own convictions, \ but on suppressing all others." A new book highly critical of today's America, written by Drew Pearson and his assistant Jack Anderson, has for its title, "USA ? Second Class Power?" In it there is this challenge from th* authors: "The emergence of Russia from the wheelbarrow age to the atomic age Is the greatest miracle of modern times. The walls of the Kramlln are not like the walls of Jericho. They will not come tumb lnlg down after seven statements by John Poster Dulles Nor will they yield to a way of life or a social system In which Elvis Pres ley makes more money than the President of the United States, in which one-third of all prescrip tions filled at drugstores are for tranqullizlng pills. The road to eomfortable conformity and al leged security Is not the road to victory over the vigorous and unscrupulous tyrannical govern ment that rules Russia." If this strange and definitely un-American trend continues un checked. In this supposed land of the free and the brave, It will eventually herald the end of free speech and the disappearance of the great public debate on vital issues of all kinds which marks vigorous free societies. It will also deprive those who make policies In government, edu cation. and religious and civic or ganizations. of the reasoned criti cism that holders of power re quire if they are not to be carried away by the sound of their own voices. This kind of criticism requires those in position of great power and Influence over the masses to give good reasons for what they do. reasons that are acceptable to deliberative intelligence. We agree with Dorothy Thomp son that our nation needs mare public debate aAd discussion on all Important controversial ques tions. not less. "And if we can do with more faith," she says, "we can also do with more skeptl clsm toward 'the powers that be. These, on analysis, are often re vealed as erecting verbal facades over a vacuum of thought and moral courage, and are 'powers' only because of public apathy, the public fear of 'sticking one's neck out.' and the .modesty of Individuals toward problems that they are warned are too compli cated for the ordinary citizen. Such problems, however, when reduced to essentials, are often very simple." Both Miss Thompson and Drew Pearson are encouraged by indi cations of a growing revolt in America ? among housewives, workers, businessmen, profession al people ? a revolt against mass thinking and mass opinions, which are always manipulated. May this revolt flourish, and may our statesmen, educators, clergymen, editors, business and political leaders who prefer to do their own thinking, and to speak their honest opinions, aid and abet the revolt.
The Franklin Press and the Highlands Maconian (Franklin, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 30, 1958, edition 1
2
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