Newspapers / The Franklin Press and … / Dec. 30, 1959, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of The Franklin Press and the Highlands Maconian (Franklin, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
gQbr ftwMitt CThr Highlands JRanmtan WEIMAR JOJYES Editorial Page Editor WED., DECEMBER SO. 1959 LET'S BE SURE Our Water Problem If you want a suit of clothes, you don't buy the first one that's shown yotf, but look at several, taking into account the advantages and disadvan tages of each. If you need to hire a man, you don't employ the first one who comes along, but consider a number ; you may even pay a higher salary to get the best man available, figuring, in the end, you'll get more for your money. If you decide to buy a lot for your home, you don't purchase the first one you sec, but look at many before reaching a decision, trying to find the one that will best suit your needs and desires. In all such transactions, you study the whole field of possibilities before acting. The Franklin Board of Aldermen is considering installing a new water system for this community.. That is considerably more important to the town than the purchase of a suit or the hiring of a man or the buying of a lot would be to any one of us. And the investment involved would be many, many times greater. Of three possible plans ? wells, a creek filtering and pumping plant, and a watershed ? only two seem to have been seriously considered. So far as we can learn, nobody in authority here has yet carefully studied the possibility of a watershed. Yet there is considerable evidence that such a system would have much to recommend it. Reput able local engineers, in fact, say there are good grounds for believing a watershed would give us more wat^r, of a higher quality, and, in the end, ,!' at a lower price. We respectfully express the hope that the board will not act on a matter so important, involving so much money, until it has carefully, seriously studied this third possibility. ?4 "> Neighbors And Fires It would be a mighty poor citizen who stood and watched his neighbor's house burn down, but refused to lift a hand to help unless he were paid for his efforts. Authorities of the Town of Franklin and mem bers of the town's Volunteer Fire Department feel that way. And so the fire truck is hurried to a fire, wherever it may be, in or out of town. On the other hand, it would be a mighty poor citizen who demanded that his neighbor pay for fire insurance on his house. That, in substance, is what Macon County does A 'Bill Of Responsibilities' (EDITOR'S NOTE: Ail of us knew a.bout and rely on our American Bill of Rights. But for every right we enjoy, there is a corresponding obligation; for every freedom, a corresponding responsibility. We often forget that. Yet there is nothing more important for the citizen to re member; because when the obligations and responsibilities are not met, history shows the rights and freedoms are tost. With that in mind, the New York State Bar Asso ciation has drawn up a "Bid of Responsibilities". It ap pears below.) BILL OF RESPONSIBILITIES A democratic constitutional government, if it is to provide truly inalienable rights for all, demands In return certain unalterable responsibilities from each. As a guide to ail citi zens In preserving and strengthening our Individual freedoms, we do hereby set forth this Bill of Responsibilities. IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF EVERY CITIZEN 1. To render undivided allegiance to the Constitution, defending the nation and the Constitution itself against all enemies from within or without. 2. To be familiar with the Constitution and the rights and liberties accruing to himself and his fellow citi zens. 3. To exercise and protect freedom of thought, speech, worship, and the press. 4. To protect and sustain the unwritten liberties and rights vested in him by usage and custom. 5. To obey the laws of the land and aid in their en forcement. 6. To vote honestly and at every election. 7. To be active in the political party of choice, to select the best qualified candidates for office, and, if called upon, to serve to the beat of one's ability. 8. To safeguard the right of trial by jury and to serve as a juror when called upon. 9. To instruct one's children in the principles of free dom, aiuf to apraadr the ideals of democratic govern ment at home and abroad. 10. To preserve the American concepts of self-reliance and independence, individually and collectively. with reference to its fire hazard; for the county pays no part of the cost of the fire department that is available to the people both within and without the town limits. It -would be foolish for both town and county to have fire departments. But if one is to serve both, doesn't fairness suggest there should be some sharing of the expense? For Christmas, 1960 It always seems a shame to cut, and so kill, mil lions of beautiful young trees to .serve for a week as Christmas trees, and then throw them away. This is the time for throwing out the Christmas tree. It's a good time, too, to plan to use a rooted tree next year, and plant it at the end of the holi days. That way, the tree can be enjoyed, decorated for Christmas, and then growing for many years afterward. Selling young trees, carefully taken up, with the roots and the soil around them wrapped in burlap, might be a good commercial project for someone here. Sure-Fire Solution No American problem today seems more dis turbing and frustrating than that of the ever growing vehicular traffic. We build fotir-lane and six-lane highways ; we build expressways ; in the urban centers, we build multi-lane highways above and below, as well as at, ground level. Yet we never seem able to quite catch up with the traffic. Well, Will Rogers, that great American of an other generation, had the solution. And the solution he proposed, years ago, when the amount of traffic was only a fraction of today's, is an even more sure-fire one now than it was then. All we need to do to lick the traffic problem, Will said, is to restrict use of the highways to those who own the cars they drive. That is, get all the cars off the highways that aren't paid for. Not A New Idea This community needs both a courthouse and a public auditorium. In this space the other day, it was suggested one solution might be to remodel the present court house to make it adequate for holding court and for the offices of officials directly connected with the court ; and then build a new structure, else where, as an auditorium, with space for the offices of other county officials. Because it is one we are not accustomed to, the idea of separating the county offices, in two differ ent buildings, may seem strange, even foolish. Yet it is not a new idea; not an untried one. In some parts of the country, it is common practice to house the court and court officials in one building, the rest of the county officials in another. A wag: comments that Santa Claus may have come down the chimney December 24, but that he'll go through the ceiling January 1, when the bills conic in. ' Civilization (Clinton, Tenn., Courier News) We read somewhere that civilization is a system under which a man pays a quarter to park his car so he won't be fined a dollar while spending a dime for a nickel cup of coffee. Needed: Speed Governor (Christian Science Monitor) Would it be unreasonable for the states to require that cars be equipped with mechanical speed governors? it may be said that it would be hard to enforce such a regulation; but a few suspensions of licenses where a governor is found miss ing or inoperative could have considerable effect. Typographical Calamity (The FPSO NAVICA8TER, Byron, Ga.) The editor of a newspaper caught a typographical error that could have led him Into Dante's Inferno. The story read that the board of trustees of the town had resign^ In a body "because their cutles had been taken over by the Oimiity School Board." How Explain This? (Anthon, Iowa, Herald) No wonder other nations dont understand Americans. How' do you explain to a housewife in a foreign country, who has to do all her cooking over an outdoor fire, that many Amer icans cheerfully and happily desert their gleaming electric kitchens for outdoor cooking and eating in the summer time? Test Of The Point System (Greensboro Daily News) The Dally News Is among those who expected the new point system set up in North Carolina by the 1959 General Assembly 1 to prove the most effective highway safety measure tin the 1 ? statute books. ' The plan alms at getting chronic offenders, habitually dan gerous drivers, off the highways. Our long-time contention has been that Issuance of a driver's license is relatively mean ingless and can be easily accomplished; the strength of the driver licensing lies In making drivers realize that they exer cise a privilege granted by the state, that this privilege can be taken away for cause and that the state has In effect a system which can and will do Just that. Several weeks ago the Motor Vehicles Department an nounced that points had been chalked up against a number of drivers and that some were approaching the total of 12 which calls for suspension of license. Comes news now that the first license has been suspended under the 1959 statute. Sammle Lee Carothers, 26-year-old Charlotte Negro, has been denied the right to drive for 60 days following his conviction on a reckless driving charge last October 30. Significantly enough Carothers had previous ly lort his license under the habitual violators law which the State Supreme Court threw out. When he returned to his of fending ways, however, the new law caught up with him. The department summarizes his record and the way the point system works: August 16, convicted of failing to yield right of way. 3 points; Sept. 13, convicted of going through a red light, 3 points; Oct. 10, convicted of speeding faster than reasonable and prudent under existing circumstances, 2 points; Oct. 30, convicted of reckless driving, 4 points. After the total reached 4 points, Carothers received a warn ing letter. When it grew to 7 points, he was called in for a talk, and given an opportunity to attend a safe driving clinic, which he refused. Patently Carothers is the type of driver who should be banned from the highways for his own safety and the safety of the motoring public. We trust that the Motor Vehicles De partment will be vigilant in enforcement of the new system and that It will have the full, yet fair, co-operation of the courts. The real test of the new act's effectiveness will come not when some nobody is involved but a more prominent habitual offender, represented by capable counsel and ready to submit to a lesser offense which will not bring license sus pension, feels the teeth of the law just as sharply as- do the unlnfiuential and more defenseless ilk. An Individual's social, economic or political status has noth ing whatsoever to do with his right to endanger lives on the streets and highways of North Carolina. The new point system needs to apply straight across the board. DO YOU REMEMBER? Looking Backward Through the Files of The Ftw MBMiMMMBWfflWMBnrffTWfffiri'i rrrrrr-m^ unworn 65 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (1894) . . Mrs. Robinson is putting a new plank fence In front of her lot on East Main Street. Mr. J. C. Weaver, of Cartoogechaye, took a new wagon out of Palmer & Phillips' shops last Thursday. This firm does good work and sells a great many wagons. The public well has been given a new roof. I have fully decided to not sell goods on credit next year, and if you do not want to be refused credit, don't ask me for it.? W. T. Potts. 35 YEARS AGO (1924) The engineers have completed the field survey of the power dam and Lake Emory properties and have returned to Atlanta, where maps and blue prints will b? made. Rev. J. Q. Wallace has completed the concrete wall around the yard of the Presbyterian Church and also the walk lead ing up to the church. 15 YKARS AGO (1944) Overall sales of the Sixth War Loan drive In Macon County have reached $363,000? well "over the top". Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bryson, Sr., have announced the marriage of their granddaughter, Miss Jctann Bryson, to Marine Pfc. Jack D. Cabe, December 23. 5 TEAKS AGO (19S4) O. Wayne Faulkner has taken over as worshipful master for 1955 of the Junalusltee Masonic Lodge. STRICTLY PERSONAL By WEIMAR JONES If you could have any one thing you wanted, during the new year about to start, what would it be? More money? Better health? Freedom from worry? Pleasanter relations with the people about you? Maybe one of those is the thing you want most. Maybe it's something else. Whatever it may be, wouldn't it be nice to know you could have that one thing by the end of 1960? What a wonderful year it would be! Well, if that's what you want, why dont you take it? The chances are nobody Is going to give it to you ? nobody, that Is. except you. But you and I can make ourselves a gift of almost anything we want. All that is necessary is to want it badly enough. More money? I can have more money at the end of I960. There are two ways I can have it. by working harder and more Intelli gently, and by working with money uppermost in my mind. Or I can have more money by spending less; by being willing to do without more of the things money will buy. Better health? I can have that, too. And. except In cases of serious illness, the way to get it is very simple. All I have to do is stop doing the things I've found Injure my health, and start doing the things I've found improve it. Freedom from worry? It's a good bet you've said to yourself many times. Just as I have: "Worry gets me nowhere. It not only doesn't help the situation, it depletes the enerey I might otherwise use to try to improve it. Moreover, nine times out of ten the things I worry about never happen." Then why do I worry? So far as I have been able to dis cover. there's only one reason: I'm too lazy to break the habit of worrying. Better relations with other people? Now let's be honest. Who is usually responsible when those relations are bad? Is it the other fellow? Generally, isn't it my own selfishness or tactlessness or some other bad habit that creates mis understanding and ill will? I could do something about that if I would. I could, if I only wanted tct badly enough. I can have any one ? or maybe all ? of these things. But I can't have them without befn* willing to pay the price. And when I say I want them, but don't get them, I'm kidding myself. What I really mean is. I'd like to have them if it didn't cost anything, if it didn't take any effort. I want to make money ? but I also want to be able to loaf when I wish and to buy what I want. I want better health ? but I don't want to be bothered with good health habits. I want free dom from worry ? but I don't want to exert myself to break the habit of worrying and develop the habit of thinking optimistical ly. I want better relations wit!| other people ? but I don't want to give up all the Utile things that stand in the way. Maybe a still better illustration is a simple one. We say: "I do wish I could get rid of this cigarette cough!" Do we? Of course we don't! What we mean Is we wish we could get rid of this cough without giving up smoking. As between the two, the one we want more is the pleasure of smoking. And so, as in almost every situation in life, we really get the thing we want. When you and I say we wan( something most of all, are we really being honest with ourselves? Don't we mean we'd like to have it if we didn't have to pay a price for ft? Most of all, isn't this the reason most of us don't get any of these big things we say we want: We want the little things that stand in the way of having the big things and we want the little things more. THE 'EDSEL' FAILURE Doesn't Like Being 'Motivated' E. A. RESCH in Chatham News^ When the Ford people suspended production of the Edsel car, an experiment that cost them $250. 000,000, I was reminded of having read the background story of the car's birth. Much of the car's design, price, class, color and horsepower came about from 'revelations" of an organization of motivational re searchers, a fancy-dan name for people who delve into the pub lic's hidden desires for products that range from tooth paste to, as in this instance, automobiles. I have no argument with these guys. They make fancy salaries as consultants to business. And if business wants to spend its money on such conclusions that a man is going to buy a car be cause he hated his drunjjfn father it is not for me to argue. I do, however, harbor a con tinuing resentment at being cate gorized to a degree that some people think I can be impelled to buy something for reasons un known to me. Had I decided to buy an Ed sel it would have been because I liked the looks of the car, con sidered it a good value and, above all, believed that the dealer from whom I bought it would be. reliable in servicing it. I don't like to learn that I am being manipulated. It scares me. I have visions of buying all sorts of things I don't need simply be cause someone has discovered a mysterious "something" that will impel me to do things I don't particularly want to do. The Edsel car was a good one or so I have been told by people who bought It. I don't remem ber, however, {laving been told that anyone bought the car be cause it satisfied some hidden desire having nothing to do with driving a car. If motivational researchers are crawling all over the- place In an effort to manipulate people's' buying habits there are sure to be some gosh-awful products of fered the public. I plan to be on guard against buying any of them. Wouldn't it be something ter rible if we lx>ught things only be cause we were possessed of some psychological quirk that we didn't even know we had? ? I prefer to believe that the Ed sel died because the Ford people found themselves with too many cars in their line and a growing preference for small cars among those people who had been long accustomed to buying the regular line. We're already in too much of a rush towards conformity and togetherness. I don't want my emotions scrutinized to a degree that I'll join in without really knowing what I'm doing. A quarter of a billion dollars is an expensive price for failure. I have an idea, however, that the Ford people will go back to re lying on their engineers and mer chandisers for future guidance. Along with a little vocative help from the average consumer, that is. IS LITTLE CAR THAT LITTLE? Washington news columnist Don Maclean reports one of his readers saw a foreign car parked at night with the lights left on. His comment: "I know they're small, but X didn't know they were afraid of the dark." ? Quote DRIVER ALONE RESPONSIBLE? Liquor Seller, Too, May Be Accountable CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR Is a drunken or drinking driver solely responsible for the injury (or death) he may cause to per sons or the damage he may cause to property? Or may others be held responsible as contributing to his negligence, criminal or civil? Specifically, can one who knowingly helps to make a tipsy man drunker be held accountable for what that man may do in his befuddlement? There have been laws which say yes. And now there is evidence that courts are beginning to con strue these laws meaningfully. Connecticut's "dram shop" act, passed in 1933. was upheld by that state's supreme court In 1957 In the case of a couple who sued a saloonkeeper for damages because he allegedly had continued to serve, after the man was visibly drunk, the driver of the car which struck them. Now New Jersey joins the ranks of states which hold that there are others responsible in a drink liig-Ui Ivlnn aui'ldfiil. That state also has a law forbidding sale of liquor to persons "visibly" in toxicated. And its supreme court has just upheld the legality of a suit against four taverns by the widow of a man killed by a car the driver of which was declared drunk by a physician. Of course, these decisions leave the tavern keeper free to prove, if he can, that the Intoxication of the accused driver was not "visible" to him. But the New Jersey Supreme Court very prop erly observed that its decision should "bring a fairer- measure of justice to innocent third par ties." ? Personal weakness Is not the only culprit in drunken-driver ac cident a; another is the temptation of someone else to "make a buck." BUT JOHNNY DOES READ In light of the variety of com plaint* adding up to "Johnny cant read." it Is encouraging to come across a study indicating that America's children are read ing more than ever before. *niis was the conoensus of librarians in 400 UB. cities and towns re sponding to a questionnaire. . . No one need really worry about the average Johnny if he Is given half a chance to get his hands on Interesting books. If Johnny can't or won't read, it is likely that the fault lies In his parents' failure to provide the books that are avail able in great abundance to be bought or borrowed. ? Portland Oregonlan. WHAT WISDOM CHILDREN SHOW! There was a little fellow who prayed "Dear God, take care of Mommy. Daddy, and Grandma^ and take good care of yourself or we're all sunk." ? Columbian Crew
The Franklin Press and the Highlands Maconian (Franklin, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 30, 1959, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75