Newspapers / The Cherokee Scout (Murphy, … / April 18, 1968, edition 1 / Page 4
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tflltoriai comment 1 ?* Beating The Courts v I ' The U. S. Supreme Court recently em phasised again (hat It Means business with its "one-man, one vote" doctrine. The high court "forbids the election of local government officials from districts of disparate sise" in a decision handed down on April L This puts counties like Cherokee on not ice that the days of electing county com missioners from districts of variable populations are drawing to a close The status quo can not be maintained much longer. > Under the present statute governing the election at commissioners in this county, two are elected from each of three districts. Figures from the 1966 election show that almost as many votes were cast in District Two as in Districts Ctae and Three com bined. v In other words, almost half of the population of Cherokee County elected two commiss ioners while slightly over half of the county picked fonr. No ate cm doabt that fee present statute governing the election of commissioners la Cfcerahae County la seriously ant of step villi the ratings of fee highest court la fee land. The General Assembly aad fee Congress ional Districts fci North Carotins have been made equal fa accordance wife the "one man, one-vote" doctrine and it Is only a matter of time uatii this county will be re quired to gat fa step. Change is inevitable. We believe it would be better for fee local i leadership to support legislation fa the next General Assembly which would provide for fee electloa of Cherokee County commiss ioners either from equal districts or at large. Beating fee courts is fee name of fee game. If we don't change our present unequal set-up, they will. It's A Disgrace The Cherokee County Grand Jury has re ported that both the Courthouse and Jail are "filthy." We think this is a disgrace. Many small, rural counties have rundown courthouses and jails and, it seems some times, they wear these like a badge of honor. The situation is different here. Cherokee ; County has a marble courthouse that we ' should be proud of. Apparently we aren't. The County Commissioners are called upon to make decisions on major spending proposals and determine whether the county can afford them. The Commissioners could : surely see that sufficient money is spent for cleaning materials without wrecking the financial structure of the county. Equally disturbing is the disrepair noted at several schools by the Grand Jury. It would be impossible to come up with an immediate solution to a major problem such as the suggestion that the Andrews Elementary School be coademmed, but it seems to us (hat some minor repairs noted at the schools should be taken care of as the need for this work becomes apparent. Grand Jury reports are often treated as routine things that must be dose. The Grand Jury Inspection this time was something more than routine. We urge the County Commissioners to in sist upon a clean courthouse and a clean Jail. We urge the school boards to make necess ary repairs to the school buildings. Cherokee County may be a relatively poor county, but that Is no excuse for public buildings that are called filthy. Constitutional Revamp Is Ovardue (From the AshevUle Citizen) Although it has been often a led, North Carolina's 100 year old constitution has never been completely rewritten. Consequently, it has many sections that are outmoded, vague, and even contradictory. Thus Governor Dan Moore's appointment of a special commission to study constitu tional revision is a wise move. Most of the 25 members of the group are well-known for their records of public service. They represent long experience in their respective fields and a broad variety if interests. Among the constitutional weaknesses is j he provision making posts on the Council >t State - the Superintendent of Public nstruction, Attorney General, Secretary of ;tate, etc. - these officials are independently ?lected, they exercise a potential block on an mcumbent Governor's program by their unwillingness to coopera^. There arc many other featares of the N.C. constitution that deserve the commission's careful scrutiny. For example,, should the Governor's term be lengthened from four to six years? Should he be eligible to succeed himself? Should the Governor hare the veto power7 Should the legislature meet annually instead of every other year as at present? Would it be better if the General Assembly re linquished its power over local legislation and turned local bills back to municipal gov verameats? These are important questions, and they should be studied with care. In recent years a number at other states _ have revised their antiquated constitutions in order to meet today's needs. The commiss ion's report should provide a basis for sound constitutional change in N.C. It will be awaited with interest. roo Many People Poke :un At Mountaineers =*rom the Waynesville Mountaineer) Some people have found it an unusual type ' bobby to "poke fun" at the people who live the mountains. For the most part, those ying to ridicule the mountaineers are ig irant of the facts and don't care to find the uth. We were amused at the recent letter in ime Magazine, sent us by Mrs. Mildred C. f?e. The letter writer from Augusta cer inly put things plain enough, and there is tie that can be added to her comments. [By and far, the average mountaineer is perior to the average city dweller . He more resourceful, law-abiding, generous d understanding. By nature, the average xintaineer is suspicious of strangers, but as many have learned through the years, this is Just good business. Many take the attitude of letting the stranger first prove himself. Not bad logic. Certainly, ve mountain people have been the brunt of many a Joke, cartoon, and story, but we are a proud people. We know many a city dweller - whether a slicker or not - would have given all they owned to be In the mountains when certain conflicts of interest break oat in the cities. As Mrs. Osborne said, "the mountain people ain't beholden to nobody" and implied if there's any traveling to be done, let the rest of the world come up to our level and standards of living - we ain't going down to thar's. The CHEROKEE MB SCOUT POST office box t?0 wmd City Camty 28904 / NORTH CAROLINA OFFICII IN MURPHY, N.C. PHONB AHA COOi TM IJT-llll ESTABLISHED JUL*. 1S89 Jock Owens EOITOH AND PUBLISHER Bob Sloan EDITOR IN CHIEF I Dave Bruce managing edi?o? Red Schuyler ADVERTISING MANAGEt Jim Morgan production manager Weaver Corringer studio manager THomasin* Almand _bookeeper Barbara WoUrup .tvpesctte* Hugh Corringtr compositor Published every Thursday at Church Street, Murphy North Carolina. 28906 Sacond Class Postago Pold At Murphy, North "orolino $3.09 One (1) Year In Cherokee, Clay and Graham Coun ties, N.C., ond Nontoholo, N.C.; Towns, Union and' Fannin Counties, Co., and Polk County, Teen. ALL OTHER ARIA$ 1 Yew $6.00 . 6 Months $!.$? All subscriptions delivered In North Carolina Include the state's three per cent sale* to*. Worst Picture Of The Year S^APP/a, ?SS Answering The Mail By Dove Bruce It is not my custom to reply to letters in this column. I have always felt that if I express a viewpoint and a reader responds with an opposite view, we should let the matter rest there. Last week, however, two letters were printed in which the writers ask me to answer a few questions and I shall com ply with their wishes. The letters were written by Mrs. Jean Deaver of Rt. 2, Murphy and Mrs. Carrie Kep hart of Rt. 3, Murphy in re spouse to my column "The Night When Grown Men Cried" which was printed in the April 4 issue o i this newspaper. Both writers seemed to be under the impression that I have no idea what military life is like. To Mrs. Deaver I would say I know what is is like to catch that early morning bus to the recruiting station inKnoxvillt. I also know what it's like to board abusinKnoxrilleandride all night to Ft. Jackson, S.C. with no idea what the new world Letters To The Editor Dear Mr. Bruce; I bad thought of letting my subscription to Scout lapse, but after reading your article, "The Night When Grown Men Cried" I am sending a check for another year. Last month I had trouble getting my paper on time but if I get one article like yours it is worth the $6.00. Our President has been cru cified to further the candidacy of others - but when a man is big enough to put his country before his own ambition - He is a man and stands tall. Keep up your good writing, Mrs. Garland Posey Montevallo, Ala. P. S. I am a native of Chero kee County but living in Ala bama at present. Dear Editor: As I sit here on my bunk my mind starts wondering back to the days when I first came into the Army. I thought that life was going to be a gravy train but later I found out it was all hard work and not very much play. In basic training which I took at Fort Benning, Georgia, I took a long look at this Army of ours and tried to see what it was doing ia Viet-Nam, and Thailand, and I couldn't see at first what we were doing there but then after a little thinking this is the conclusion I came to: Many people say "pull out of Viet Nam." Well, the way these VC fight today, I'd hate to see them 10 vears or 20 years from now landing on the United States or some other free country. Communism is like cancer, if you don't stop it early, its cells attack healthy ones and overtake them. The first time I came home on leave which wasn't until after 4 months of service, my parents found out that they had raised a son instead of a ve getable, which had grown in size, mind and maturity. This Saturday, I'll remember for quite a while, because you see, right now we're on a nat ional alert which was issued by the Secretary of Defense last night. They have all the gates leading off-post closed and the MP's are .'n town get ting Uie guys back on base, In case we're needed, because my unit and one more are the only riot control squads on FortDe vens. We're not even allowed to leave the company area be cause we may have to convoy or be air-lifted to Washington to help out. Well, I guess I've preached enough but if the Citizens of Murphy could see like I have seen, you would understand more about communsm and its effects on the free-world. I can see what I'm fighting for. I have two of the nicest parents in the world, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Burrell and my two sisters, and five brothers, who go to Murphy schools, and also for the wonderful people of Murphy, my home town, which I'm so glad to be a part of. These draft-card burners make me sick, because you see I wasn't drafted and wouldn't have been for at least two or three years. But I could see that I was needed so I volun teered. While my buddies and friends of Murphy, got to school each day, I'm on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They're taking my buddies and sending them to Viet-Nam Just as soon as they can cut orders for them. I'll be glad when I can come home and see all the beauti ful people of Murphy, whom I love and miss very much. Right now I'm awaiting orders assign ing me to Fort Benning for Airborne Jump school. After that I'll go where I'm sent aiKfifteded. I say to the people of Murphy, get the most out of your freedom that you can because your son and daughter alike, are paying a high-price for it in their young American blood, I'm proud I have the honor of fighting for my country, and the fact that I am an American fighting for my country. All the guys here say tXey would appreciate it if you'd please print this letter in your newspaper which I get eachSat urday. May God bless and protect the wonderful people of Murphy. Your loving Servant, PFC. Thomas Ronnie Burrell Ft. Devens, Mass. I'll enter tomorrow will held (or me. To Mrs. Kephart I would have to answer yes, I have attended an Army graduation exercise. I took part in one. I know what it is like to stand at tbe Brooklyn Army Terminal and say goodbye to my family with the knowledge that the foll owing day I would be shipped overseas. 1 mention these things to answer the (jucstioo* asked and to make it clear that when my country called, I went. 1 didn't like military life, bot when I see draft cart burners and draft dodgers patting on their show, I am proud that I served. As for the references to my son in tW letters, he is only five years old now and 1 an thankful he is too young to be in Vietnam. When be comes o# age, however,. I want him to take his tarn in uniform. Mrs. Deaver also wondered why tbe President made no effort to stop the war two or three years ago instead of wait ing until now. A glance at any dally news paper or a brief look at TV newscasts would let anyone know that the President ai^ Sec retary of State Dean Rusk have repeatedly make It dear that they were willing to meet any one at any place at any time to reach a peace. I know of nothing LBJ could do beyond what he already has done to indicate that he wants an honor aM* settle ment in Vietnam. His address of March 31 simply instituted another attempt for peace. I have the most he artful com passion for anyone who has a loved one to the war, but 1 can't conceal my impatience with those who seem to feel this is unusual to send Americans to foreign battlefields. Have they forgotten the Mexican War, tlx Spanish American War, the two World Wars and Korea? Am ericans were sent to those places and many died there. Mrs. Deaver asked why the Appalachian section shouldn't be entitled to the new roads I mentioned in the column. 1 agree with her that we are entitled to these things and that we who live in Appalaofcla pay our fair share of taxes Just as other Americans do. The point she overlooked is that President Johnson is the first President to show a con cern for the problems that we in this region have faced. We were entitled tothe things he is giving us for many years, but previous administrations showed no concern for us. 1 feel (feat we who live In these mountains owe a special thanks to LBJ for taking the Initiative in solving our profclems. The past four years have been hard years. These day* are troubled days, especially to those who have loved ones in Southeast Asia. But dots anyone honestly be ?endow* lor ttt prweMeney could have led us any better ?tan Lyndon Balnea Mum? I don't think so. Do you think the war would have boon ended under another administration? 1 doubt It. Making Of Governor Published WINSTON SALEM - A new book documenting events of North Carolina's last Dem ocrat* gubernatorial primary vttl be published this week by Joha r. Blair, Publisher , at Wln?*on- Salem. The book, entitled "The Making at A Governor: The Moore ? Preyer ? Lake Pri maries at 1964/' was written by James R. S peace erf High Potat. Spence, an attorney, is vice-president of High Point Bank and Trust Co. and has long been active in Democratic party affairs In this state. Blair said he expects the book to appeal both to the layman and to those who actively parti cipate in politics. For the former, be said, "The Making at A Governor" will be Inform ative as a study of how political campaigns are run. For the latter group, he feels it will be valuable as a "detailed, im partial record of events." The beginning sections of the book describe the search by the state's "Old Guard" for a new leader, who was the winning candidate, Dan K. Moore; the i 1 the forces of Gov. Terr> Sanford gave tbe most Iters) at the three candidates, L. Rich ardson Preyer; and the natural candidate the ultra-conser vative element had la L Bev erly Late. Sfceoce details He stand each candidate took an a wide variety at Issues, using, in many in stances, newspaper reports at speeches and including a wealth j t background information to reinforce his material. He de scribes in detail the bugh rally staged in tbe Greensboro Col iseum by the Preyer forces, tbe part Raleigh station WRAL-TV had in defeating Preyer in the second primary, and the effect the "smoking and health" controversy had on the campaign. Through the book runs the element of the race Issue and the public and private utterances at the candidates on this pervading question. "The Making of A Governor" is one of the few paperback books to be published by Blair. It contains close to 500 names of campaign insiders, plus a :ounty-by -county tabulation of the vote In bodi first tod se&nd primaries. Spence is a graduate of Camp bell College and UNC U? School. He practiced law kthis borne town at Lfllington and In Fayetteville, was in the In surance business In Greensboro for two years and entered the banking field in 1961. He has beaded Young Dem ocrat Clubs in Harnett Couqty and in High Point, was State Organiser for the YDC in 1956 and was state-wide chairman of the "Dollars for Democrats" fund campaign in 1959, the year be was named one of the state's 10 outstanding young democrats. Spence is currently a member of Gov. Moore's Study Com mission on the Public School System and is vice-president of the Piedmont Area Develop ment Council. William R.D. King, Vicet President elected with Pres ident Franklin Pierce, never performed any the the duties of his office. He died short ly after being^ inaugurated, i NEW! Elastic Back and Straps PLAYTEX PADDED BRA Now ? Playtex combines all the fit and comfort features you could wish for in a padded bra. Adjustable stretch straps and sheer elastic back with atf-way stretch ? won't ride up. Elastic criss-cross area /. between the cups lifts and separates, b; shapes yon as you've always wanted. VT" Cups are made with amaxing new fiberfill * padding ? they stay soft . . . can't shift . . . can't bunch up. Machine washable, this new Playtex Soft-line Padded Bra keeps its life month after month. White. 32A ? 36B. *5.00 And, for those women who prefer cotton backs, there is a Playtex Soft-line Padded Bra with cotton back and stretch straps? $4.00; with semi stretch straps ? $3.50. White. 32A-36B. COLLINS - CRAIN A,Su"?"n department store Murphy, N.C. CCiptkii COUPON! It's Worth $10 00 ^ ^PURCHASE 0F H0MK0 TILLER p|j PLOWS! CULTIVATES! WEEDS! FURROWS! WORKS OTHER TILLEkS RIGHT TOTH^ROU NO! HOMKO New 28 ?5 H.P. DELUXE REVERSING ROTARY TILLER _ with SELF-PROPELLING I0L0 TYPE TINES L c EASY-PULL RECOIL START w EXCLUSIVE ULTRAS EAR TRANSMISSION -DRIVE CONTROL ON ADJUSTABLE HANDLE - SINGLE SPEED FORWARD, REVERSE, NEUTRAL PIUS ? Easy maneuvering with 10 iie.iw ?J>:ty transport wheels Tractor tread t ?r< ? Heavy gauge. reinforced steel. ? exclusive Ultragcar transmission with man ganes* bronze gear, micro-finish worm and THfthen bearings to (educe engine wear. Operates at 40 to 1 ratio. ? IHiiMrt Bole-type 14* diameter line*, a* instable from 14" to 40*. rtmewiblt for cultivating ? Direct belt drive ? no dutch adjustment*. ? Powerful AM F S Hf? 4-cyclt enfin#. ? Reverse-safety control for tatv backing OUt ol corners. A ^ MOW ON/r $18 9 '
The Cherokee Scout (Murphy, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 18, 1968, edition 1
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