/ Cl.Bk. THE ETHEL CARR PEACOCK MEMORIAL COLLECTION Matris amori monumentum TRINITY COLLEGE LIBRARY DURHAM, N. C. 1903 Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Dred Peacock Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019 with funding from Duke University Libraries https://archive.org/details/biennialmessageoOOnort BIENNIAL MESSAGE OF ELIAS CARR GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SESSION OF 1895. RALEIGH : Josephus Daniels, State Printer and Binder. PRESSES OF E. M. UZZELL. 1895. BIENNIAL MESSAGE OF ELIAS CARR, GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY—SESSION OF 1895. ' MU ' H Gentlemen of the General Assembly: L Our Constitution requires that the Governor “shall from time to time give the General Assembly information of the affairs of the State and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall deem expedient.” In order to be better fitted for this task I have since the adjournment of the last Legislature endeavored to acquaint myself with the various departments and the management of the State institutions. The recommenda- dons which will be placed before you for your considera¬ tion are obtained largely from personal visits and inspec¬ tor!. I have visited and inspected during the interim: The State Prison frequently; the State farms on the Roa- ' Hike annually; the University each recurring commence- nent; the Agricultural and Mechanical College commence- uents; the closing exercises of the Normal and Industrial School; the State Fairs at the Capital; the State Guard ncampments at Morehead, and every other institution to /hicli the State contributes financial aid, save alone the two h'phan Asylums at Oxford and some of the Normal chools. These last being under the very efficient super- 4 governor’s message. vision of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, I refcl you for information concerning them to his report. It is gratifying to bear testimony to the honest an efficient management of these various State institutioi and to ask your favorable consideration of their varioil reports accompanying this message, and recommendation made therein. In this State the responsibility for legislt tion is not a divided one between the Legislative arl Executive branches, as in the Federal Government and 1 many of the States. Under our Constitution the Govern! has no veto power; the most he can do is to recommenl and the whole responsibility is made to rest with tUj Legislature. This being the case, it becomes all the mod important that your action should be wise, conservatiM and well considered. Nothing now existing should changed unless you are satisfied that you can impro upon it. Change simply for the sake of change may ai probably will result in serious injury to some of the mal fold interests of the State. It has not hitherto been te custom in this State to make changes except when exp* euce or observation taught that a change was necessaj' and helpful. Our charitable and penal institutions ha|J been well and economically managed. These instituting invite your close investigation and scrutiny. After yu have made this examination, in the spirit of truth and fal't ness, I am sure that you will readily concede the wisdifl and economv of their management. If vou should fid this to be their condition, then I am sure you will be s to make any changes which cannot be fully justified in light of subsequent experience. ie CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT. , Our city and county government- necessarily form iinj tant parts in the machinery of government in this Stjal governor’s message. 0 They absorb very much more of the taxes of the people than the State government with all its varied and impor¬ tant functions. No well-informed man can say that these governments, as a rule, have not been well managed. There may have been here and there a few exceptions, but )-i close scrutiny and a rigid examination will develop the fact that in all the history of the State the city and county governments have never been more wisely and economi¬ cally administered than for the past fifteen years. You hould hesitate long and anxiously before you make any ij Iteration in the system which has produced such good - esults. It seems to me you should feel satisfied that the Proposed form of government will produce better results in efficiency and economy, and not allow the prejudices of arty feeling to influence you to the enactment of a law Ophieh may bring, to a part of the State at least, loss of ; roperty, depreciation of values, and, instead of progress, ^Progression in business activity. If the changes you make fail to accomplish such results i' le responsibility will rest on you, but the people will ■ avc the burdens to bear, and pay the expenses of your djkperiment. In campaign after campaign a change in tiiir system of county government was proposed by one irty, antagonized by the other. Time and again it has | ;en discussed and fought out before the people, and the irty proposing the change, etc., always went down in Teat. This question was not, in my judgment, the promi- mt question in the last campaign. The causes which iuj'ierated most potently to bring you into power as law¬ makers are to be found in other questions. Had this been ’e only or the great issue before the people their verdict, ' my opinion, would have been otherwise. But be that iff] it may, the judgment of the people has after full and djf r discussion been in favor of the present system. It « GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. therefore lias the approval of the people as well as the best results in practice to commend it to your better judg¬ ment and to warn you against making useless changes. SECRETARY OF STATE. By reference to the report of the Secretary of State it will be seen that the total amount collected by that office and paid into the Treasury amounts to $103,788.48. a sum by $11,000 in excess of the total expense of the Executive, Judicial and Railroad Commission departments. I desire to call your attention especially to this source of revenue to the State, as it is in nowise a burden to the citizens. The suggestions and recommendations contained in the! report meet my commendation. treasurer’s report. The State Treasurer’s report presents a healthful condi tion of the State’s finances. It shows a cash balance oi band at the close of the past fiscal year, ending Noveml > her 30th, of $114,531.15, notwithstanding a reduction o ; the tax levy by the Legislature of 1893 from twenty-fiV' • cents to twenty-two cents. The total estimate of expenses required by law to h ■ furnished by the Treasurer to the General Assembly dj 1895 is shown to be $860,400, and a similar amount fa I 1896, less $63,000, the expenses of the Legislature. Till ] present levy upon last year’s assessment will yield onl $815,000. or an excess of disbursements over receipts da $45,400. It will not be wise under the circumstance j to estimate receipts from any other source. Under tli funding act of 1879 $3,322,800 in four per cent, bonds hav been issued in exchange for the old recognized debt of tl State. There are still some old bonds outstanding whirl when funded will require a further issue of $292,970 ne 1 governor’s message. 7 four per cent, bonds, making a total possible debt of $3,615,770, bearing four per cent, interest. The State owns, as an investment, $136,750 of these bonds and the Board of Education owns $143,250. The North Carolina Railroad six per cent, construction bonds, amounting to $2,720,000, are secured by the State’s three-fourths interest in the road, the dividends from which are more than ample to meet the interest. The recommendations and suggestions contained in the report meet my hearty approval. For two years past I have been in almost daily contact w T ith the retiring Treas¬ urer, having an intimate knowledge of the man and his methods. His familiarity with the financial affairs of the State, the systematic manner of conducting his office, his wisdom in council and his many other sterling traits of character have greatty endeared him to us all. Honora¬ ble, capable, efficient, the State loses an officer who has been faithful and devoted to his trust. STATE auditor’s REPORT. 1 In calling your attention to this report 1. would ask you d pay special attention to his recommendations on equali- ation of taxation. This is a very important matter, and would recommend the establishment of a State Board of " Iqualization. All property should be proportionately and 11 classes of citizens should be equally taxed. The net kcrease of property subject to taxation for 1893 over 1892 as $1,209,392.15. In 1892 there w r as collected for taxes 1,395,899.73, in 1893 $1,358,994.75; showing $36,904.98 ss collected in 1893 than in 1892. The reduction of x levy of three cents, from twenty-five to twenty-two, ■counts for the less sum collected for general purposes, btwithstanding the aggregate increase in values and the crease of one cent for school purposes. 8 governor’s message. The State and county taxes for 1893 for all purposes were: State taxes__$1,358,944 75 County taxes_ 1,058,941 69 Total_$2,417,935.44 Estimating the population for that year for the State) 1,675,000, the per capita tax was $1.44 for all purposes.! The report of the Auditor on the average valuation of laud' per acre is very interesting and discloses some remarkable facts which should command vour attention. PENSIONS. No subject which will be called to your attention is more worthy your generous consideration than the pensions pan¬ to the surviving Confederate soldiers and their widows This class of our citizens is fast passing away, and ii i their declining years of infirmity they should have th tender care and support of the State. No more fittin: tribute of a State’s appreciation to those who have she* ! luster and glory on the name of North Carolina and he institutions could be shown than in granting to them thi meager support. The Auditor recommends an increas from three and one-third cents on the one hundred dolla: worth of property and ten cents on poll to four and on half cents on property and thirteen and one-half cents o poll, which would raise sufficient funds to pay the soldie and widows of soldiers the full quota allowed by laV to-wit: First class-$11' Second class_ Third class_ Fourth class, soldiers_ H Fourth class, widows- ' governor’s message. 9 I respectfully ask your careful attention to this recom¬ mendation, and believe that our people will gladly pay this tax in order that those who are to-day monuments of the great struggle for civil rights and individual Statehood may as they decline in years and feebleness be aided by their State to the fullest extent, especially when we con¬ sider that no one can be a beneficiary of this law who owns five hundred dollars’ worth of property, or holds a position under State or nation which pays three hundred dollars per year. Consequently only the poorest of our soldiers are benefited, and these should receive our care and support. The pensions now being paid by the State are $105,132. Amount issued in 1893_ Y _$99,280 00 increase in 1894 over 1893 _ 5,818 00 The present levy, three and one-third cents on the one mndred dollars’ worth of property and ten cents on poll, vill produce for the current year $111,390.77. From the Auditor’s report pertaining to the general indebtedness of the State it appears that in many coun¬ lies (at least over half), under the present system of county overnment, there is no indebtedness whatever; that the axable property of the State amounts to $262,927,119.87, nd that the total indebtedness is about one-twenty-fifth of lis amount. This shows that the people of North Caro- na own twenty-five times more than their public indebt- iness, and, further, that in the cities and towns this indebt- Iness has been incurred for the most part on permanent oprovements, such as electric light systems, water-works, reet improvements, etc.; in the counties for new and nproved jails and court-houses. Considering the onerous burdens under which our peo- e have lived since the war, it shows conclusively that the 10 GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. party intrusted with the administration of public affairs has given to the people such a State government that the light of prosperity from onerous taxation is dawning in North Carolina. Furthermore, that the State of North Carolina levies and collects for general purposes a lower rate of taxes than any State of the Union compar¬ ing in characteristics with this State, and all expenses have been kept strictly within the appropriations and moneys provided for the maintenance of government. The further inquiry into this subject will show that thel general expenses of the Executive part of the government are paid by corporations doing business in the State from other States. Such being the case, can we not congratulate the people on this relief from taxation and upon the splendid management of a State government the Execu¬ tive and Judicial part of which can be paid from revenues collected by taxes imposed on foreign corporations, through the wisdom of a party which has always looked to then welfare and sought to give them a government pure ii finance and for their best interests? REPORT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. 1 recommend the adoption of every suggestion made b\ the Attorney General in his report, and particularly tliosjl concerning slander, trusts and lynching. With reference to the last mentioned offense I call attention to the follow ing language used by him: “The Legislature, having done all that it can to seciiij promptness in trials and to place the State on an equalit.i with the defendant, should then pass more effective lav against lynching itself. There has been no indictmei prosecuted to a conviction against lynchers in North Can lina for years past, as far as I have been able to lean There have been frequent, patient and thorough invest governor’s message. 11 gations of the crime before the grand juries, bills sent by Solicitors, but few true bills returned. The reason for this is but too plain for discussion, and the same result will follow as long as a Solicitor is compelled to begin proceed¬ ings against defendants in the county where the crime has been committed. Your Excellency would do well to recommend to the Legislature the enactment of a law giv¬ ing a Solicitor of the Superior Court the right to send a rill of indictment for this offense before the grand jury of my county in his district which he may desire, writh nec¬ essary provisions to summons witnesses in that behalf, and :onfer upon the Superior Court Judge the right to try the ase in any county which he may deem proper in his iscretion.” CRIME. Criminal laws should be so amended as to provide for lenalties increasing in severity in proportion to the num¬ ber of times a prisoner may be convicted. The absolute nowledge of the infliction of more rigorous penalties in his matter would prove a great deterrent and tend to slieve society of many habitual criminals. REQUISITIONS. ■ There are now no charges made by our State against jay other State in case of requisition. There are States in le Union, however, which do make such charges. I sug- est to the Legislature that a law be enacted authorizing ie Governor before granting a warrant of extradition to quire fees to be paid for it by any State which has a law larging fees in like cases. JUDICIARY. Court Stenographer. As a saving to the tax-payers, a convenience to the ' »urts, both Superior and Supreme, and often to the Execu- 12 GOVERNOR , S MESSAGE. tive, who, when considering pardons, has frequently to refer to the bench notes in the case as the only protection to the State, I would recommend the establishment of the office of Court Stenographer. Compensation of Solicitors. The office of Solicitor is one of dignity, importance and responsibility. The compensation of such an officer ought not to be made to depend upon the number of convictions obtained in the execution of his varied and weighty duties. If a man is worthy to fill this high office he can surely bi trusted to perform his full duty without the stimulus of :: trifling fee, dependent upon his success in obtaining ver diets. In the consideration of the question whether a mai should be prosecuted for murder or manslaughter, fo instance, a Solicitor ought not to be liable to be affected b; the difference of fees legally taxable for the differen degrees of homicide. In the prosecution of offenses whic are usually committed by wholesale, such as selling liquo without a license, he should not have the temptatioi always before him to multiply indictments to his ow pecuniary advantage. The effect of sending numerou indictments to the grand jury is uniformly to increas the costs, and at the same time to reduce the amount ( the fine which should go to the school fund, for a Judg in fixing the amount of a fine is almost obliged to tak into consideration the amount of the costs incurred. Till appeal so frequently made to a Solicitor to suspend h prayer for judgment upon the payment of the costs oug not to be made to an officer who has an immediate pecuu ary interest in the result. The considerations which ur< this amendment to our laws are too numerous to attem their presentation at length, and surely must have alreac occurred to you. The Solicitor should be a salaried offict and the fee which is now taxed in the bill of costs as h governor's message. 13 chief compensation should be collected from the defend¬ ants and paid into the State Treasury to re-imburse the State for the salary paid. Whether this salary shall be at an annual rate, as the Judges are now paid, or dependent upon the number of the terms of court held, and what the amount shall be are matters of detail which can be readily solved by the wisdom of the Legislative body, and about which I will make no suggestion. Courts. No part of the government is closer to the people than the Judicial department, and anything that will tend to increase its efficiency or to lessen the expenses of litiga¬ tion is entitled to careful consideration. It is believed these ends may be subserved by providing for the appoint- taent of two or more special Judges with authority to act in case of sickness or other temporary disability of one if the Judges of the Superior Court, and with authority to iold Special Courts. It sometimes happens that a Judge is mable to hold his court, and the county has the expense >f a great part of the term to pay, and no business is ransacted, and, in addition to the expense, dissatisfaction nth, and want of confidence in, the administration of the aw are engendered which produce other evils. Again, at times crimes are committed which demand tnmediate investigation, and, although under the present iw there is authority to call a special term of the Superior hurt, frequently no Judge can be found unemployed to old it. The expenses of the additional Judges would be lade nominal by providing that they receive no salary accept for the time actually engaged in holding courts, •ad by allowing them in the meantime to practice law. If your body should take this matter under considera- on care should be taken to avoid any constitutional pjection. The Constitution provides that Judges of the 14 OOVERXOR’s MESSAGE. Superior Court shall be elected by the people; but it als< provides that the Legislature may establish courts inferio to the Supreme Court. These provisions may be met U appointing special Judges with the same jurisdiction h the courts held by them now exercised by the Judges o the Superior Courts, and with no power except when hold ing courts, and by creating the machinery for resolving regular term into a Special Court if the Judge assigned b the law to the regular term is unable to attend. SECURITY FOR THE STATE’S MONEY. Under the law, notwithstanding the money on hand i the State Treasury at one time, which sometimes aggregate' six or seven hundred thousand dollars no provision { made for its security beyond the Treasurer’s bond of twj hundred and fifty thousand dollars and his discretion i] selecting places of deposit. The inadequacy of this pr< tection is manifest. Why should not the State’s money 1 as amply secured as the counties’ or individuals’? TAXES. Personal property liable to taxation too often escapes tl « assessor, and there is urgent need to remedy this. It is notorious fact that a large amount of personal proper pays no taxes, thereby depriving the State of a portion its rightful revenue and increasing the burdens up his ability. governor’s message. 15 Do not defer the payment of taxes in any instance. It is a seeming injustice, to say the least of it. When the law was enacted postponing the payment of taxes in the tobacco counties there were only a few in which the crops were grown. To-day many of the cotton-growing counties are large producers of tobacco, and find no difficulty in meeting promptly the demands of the tax-collector. Just here I desire to say the Treasurer has collected the State’s taxes save a small amount from Madison. PUBLIC PRINTING. 1 The last Legislature passed an -act to regulate and pro¬ vide for the public printing (chapter 351), which requires that four weeks prior to January 1, 1895, and every two years thereafter, sealed proposals to do the public printing and binding shall be made to the Secretary of State, under bond and certain specifications; that these should :| be opened before a joint committee of the General Assembly md the contract awarded to the lowest bidder. This act was passed after careful consideration and investigation, md is a wise and judicious law. It gives each printing louse the same opportunity, regardless of party affiliations, md eliminates any unpleasant rivalry among them. It jjs a purely business proposition between the State and the iarty awarded the contract, each being protected by bond or a full and complete fulfillment of the contract, and has eceived the approval of both parties. I commend the provisions of this equitable law. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. (j{ The Superintendent recommends a rate of increase in ixation for the benefit of the public schools sufficient to induct the schools the constitutional requirement of four lonths. He estimates that it will require a levy of 22 1<> governor’s message. instead of 1(5 cents, the present rate. This I most emphati callv indorse, and in corroboration of this view I desire t< repeat what I have said on a previous occasion: “Ou most earnest solicitude and help should go out to the com moil schools of our State, for it is in these that the chil dren of the great mass of our toiling, laboring, wealth producing people must be educated and trained prepara torv to their life-work, or not at all. It is the imperativ duty of the State to provide school facilities for these chil dren. and we can never be said to have done our dut; until we have complied with the spirit of the Constitution which commands that a school term of at least four month in the year he provided for them. Thirteen weeks, th time now provided, will not do, and we are trifling wit 1 the most vital interest of the State in longer neglecting t come up to the full measure of our duty in this matte If upon deliberate consideration it should be found, in viev of a recent decision of our Supreme Court, that anothe provision of our Constitution stands in the way of ouj levying a sufficient tax to carry on the schools of the pei pie four months in the year, I desire that an ameudmei to the Constitution be submitted to the people to take tl school tax out of the constitutional limitation. The] schools I regard as a necessity to the children of the mej and women engaged in farm life. The children of oil] people in cities and towns are well provided for, as a gei eral rule, by the graded schools, and they enjoy privileg in educational matters which children living in tl country do not have. An efficient common school syste is the only hope of our people for an intelligent, thrift laboring population upon our farms, and I urge with aj the earnestness I can command that our law-makers slia not neglect this imperative duty resting upon them.” governor’s message. 17 EDUCATION. The future advancement, happiness and prosperity of the people of this State depend probably more upon the efficiency of our public school system than is generally con¬ ceded. Education is the great factor in the advancement of all people, but in a free -country it is of the most vital importance. The mind that moves in a small circle, the mind tainted with bigotry and prejudice, is out of place in Dur system of public instruction, and should not be toler¬ ated. The unity of sentiment and spirit between tutor and lupil with regard to the acquirement of knowledge and he duties and obligations of citizenship should be the liief end in view. The percentage of pupils attending the chools (see Superintendent’s report) is not so great as we rould wish, but probably in view of the depressed condi- ion of affairs, especially in the agricultural districts, is as irge as we could reasonably expect. The State has taken another step forward in the estab- slnneut of the Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges for le education of her young men, and a bolder movement ill in the establishment of the Normal and Industrial Tools for her girls. Two more needed or popular move- ents were never begun in North Carolina, these last 'lnpleting the link in the educational chain between the ( nnnon schools and .the University. The State cannot dord to withdraw any part of its aid heretofore extended 1 its institutions, for by retarding their progress you crip- 13 the State in its greatest development, and, instead of it fogressing and keeping pace with the advancement of the fe, the best interest of every citizen will be affected just & far as you prescribe his educational advantages. Our edu- c ional institutions, from the University down to the com- 1 >n schools, have been doing a great work in the State. ucation is the hope of the people, and our public schools 9 18 GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. of all grades and kinds should receive the cordial supporl of all parties and classes. No change should be made ii any of these except to make them more efficient and help ful. In connection with our public school system, abovi referred to, it is my pleasure, and I conceive it my duty a well, to refer to the excellent work being done toward tfi- education of the children of the State, both male and female I by the denominational colleges and the academies and higl j schools. The education of the youth of the State is the di j sideratvm at which all good citizens must aim, whether it fc j by State aid or private or denominational enterprise. Whei the child is educated cannot be the question. How she c • he be educated may be, and is, material. "Who pays for | has nothing to do with the child—the education or the plai j where educated. The State desires and must have all ha , children educated so as to better fit them for the duties whid 1 must devolve upon them as citizens. According to tl i • report of the able Superintendent of Public Instructor * there are 389,709 male whites, 212,191 female whites, 23" 486 male colored, and 123,899 female colored of school aj in the State. Out of this total of male whites there tv J less than 1,200 in all of our institutions for higher educ-| tion, the University, denominational and other. "Whi; this shows the field to be “white unto the harvest” it ah shows how lamentably few are the laborers compared wii the needs of the people. All that can be done by the pf pie and the State to strengthen and extend the usefuhi'S of our colleges must be done, and I cannot but believe tit your honorable bodies will guard with jealous care al amply provide for these institutions of the State, of who you are the special custodians, and by whom only di proper sustenance be provided. GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 19 STATE UNIVERSITY. In reference to this State institution I beg to repeat what I said in my inaugural address: “Your venerable State University, waxing strong once more, deserves, and I know will command, your fostering care. Regarding the State University as the head of our school system, and the col¬ leges and high schools as the great coadjutors, there ever should be hearty co-operation between those engaged in the great work of teaching in these and those engaged as teachers of our common schools.” We, as makers and min¬ isters of the law, should do all in our power to build up and make more useful our University. It is given to you by the Constitution (Article 9, section 6) as a priceless hcr- tage, left to us by our forefathers, who, after their declara¬ tion of individual freedom, as a State proclaimed North parolina the advocate of higher education by declaring, n 1776, in the Constitution adopted at Halifax, that ‘All useful learning shall be duly encouraged and pro- noted in one or more universities.” They discharged heir duty in regard to higher education and sought to aake this institution the peer of Oxford, so that in this iepublic and in the Commonwealth of North Carolina er sons need not go to foreign lands to complete their Education. Generous men have contributed to the mainte- ance of certain chairs at the University, and the State is died upon to do her duty in its support. Surely, gentle- len, we could not be less mindful of our duty to ourselves. pr do one thing which will retard the progress and advance- y 1 y ent of. the University of North Carolina. The Univer- ty will celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of its >ening for students at the annual commencement in June ;xt. It is hoped that the patriotic citizens of the State 11 give their hearty support to this venerable institution, ■id by their presence give inspiration to its professors'and 20 GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. trustees to labor still more for the advancement of its already high standard and the increase of its usefulness. That it has done a great good in the past a catalogue ol its sons who have tilled every high office under the gen eral and the State governments, and illustrated the Stati in every calling and business, conclusively shows. It it believed that it has never done better work, and I feel conti dent that nothing will be done, in this centennial year, b' your honorable body which may tend to impair its useful ness. Our beloved State is getting old enough to provide fo the highest education of her sons in all branches of humai learning, and while all are not able to take direct advar tage of the opportunities offered in her University and lik institutions, those who do partake of their instruction becom teachers of others, whether engaged in the technical pri i fession of teaching or not, and thus are centers of ligh and influence for the whole State. You do not need any suggestions from me as to how vo can best promote its welfare. I am not prepared to suj gest any amendments of the existing laws in reference to i \ I transmit herewith reports of the Treasurer and Bursar the University. THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC ARTS. This institution has been established but live years, ail t to-day has 22b students, with applications which will swf Virginia has given $400,000; Mississippi, $300,000— |30,000 per year; Alabama, $300,000—$24,000 per year: Texas, $30,000 annually; Louisiana, $20,000 to her Agri- ■ultural and Mechanical Colleges; yet this College has nore students than any one above mentioned. The Board of Trustees ask for a continuance of the $10.- 00 appropriation per annum, and a special appropriation f $15,000 per annum for two years for the purpose of dditional buildings as named in report. Gentlemen of le General Assembly, I urge you to make this appropria- on. Having been a member of this Board, I am fully 2 quainted with the needs of this valuable institution and idorse the recommendation of the Board of Trustees. The gricultural and Mechanical College is doing a work for te young men of North Carolina which cannot be esti- ated now or expressed in words; the future advancement the State alone will shove this result. This is an age hen everything tending to a mechanical or scientific edu- tion should be obtained by our young men. The old 22 GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. order of tilings lias passed away, and if we wish our young men to be prepared to successfully meet the progressive-: ness of the age it is by this kind of an education. Too much cannot be said in praise of this institution or its management: its future is with you, and 1 hope that you will protect it and enable it to advance to the degree of usefulness for which it was established. AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE FOR THE COLORED- RACE, AT GREENSBORO, N. C. This institution through some inadvertency, 1 dare say. lias failed to make a report. THE NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. This is the youngest of the State’s educational institutions; it having begun its work a little more than two years ago. j It has the smallest appropriation. It had last year tin largest enrollment; this, too. without the usual methods o: i advertising or drumming for students. It is the only insti tution for white women where the people of North Caro | lina have made provisions for bringing a thorough practi 1 cal education within the reach of young women of sinal * means by legislative appropriations, or by liberal endow , meiit- similar to those for all other classes of our popula ! tion. The State has spent very little, comparatively speakindfl for the plant and equipment of the school, the funds fo i erecting the main buildings and the land on which the stand having been donated in order to secure the locatio of the institution at Greensboro. These buildings, togetlu with the additional buildings erected by the institution, d not provide enough accommodation for those who wish t take advantage of the opportunities it offers. Having visited the institution while the buildings wej governor’s message. 23 in process of erection, I elicited from the contractor infor¬ mation that impressed me with the great economy of the expenditure of the appropriation. The buildings are sub¬ stantial and attractive, but are without many conveniences considered necessary for a modern institution, educational or other. I refer especially to water-works and light. I do not think that it is going too far to claim that the unprecedented popularity of the Normal and Industrial School is due not simply to the fact that it has cheapened education for women as education had already been cheap¬ ened for men, but also on account of the practical nature of the education and training offered by the institution. The female population of the white race in North Carolina is about 10,000 in excess of the male. There are so many young women to-day who, either from necessity or choice, expect to earn their own living and who are ambitious to place themselves in the list of bread-winners rather than in the list of mere consumers, and so greatly would it benefit the ?ntire State to encourage this idea, that I regard the small innual appropriation for the purpose as probably the best nvestment the State ever made. Moreover, the majority )f those who enter the institution expect to become teachers >f the children of the State. It is well for the State to encourage young women to enter this great work, and at he same time to offer them help in preparing for its irduous duties. Certainly, when it is known that a large majority of hose who enter the institution would probably have been mable to go elsewhere, and when it is realized that for aany years the State and our largest religious denomina- ions have been engaged in bettering the quality, and at he same time cheapening the prices, of education for men y State appropriations, gifts and endowments, while the ducation of women has been left almost entirely to pri- 24 governor’s message. vale enterprise, it will hardly be necessary for the State’s Executive or for any one else to make further plea to the General Assembly to deal generously with the Normal and Industrial School. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. Commonwealths in which agriculture is the chief source of revenue have, as a rule, paid little regard to legislation: looking to the protection of employees, and doubtless there is some show of reason in this apparent oversight, as tin farmer has long been considered the most independent o laborers. But times have changed, and the number o independents is daily growing less. Railroads, mills ana factories are constantly increasing, while great numbers o the heretofore independent small farmers are either work ing as wage-earners or as tenants. Thus daily is growing the number of employees, and further legislation looking to their welfare and protection seems to me both wise am prudent. There is much in the question of labor legisla tion which deserves your earnest and careful consideration Much of the friction which has and does now exis in other States between the employers and employee; could doubtless be obviated by wise and judicious legisl; I tion. For information touching this subject I beg to reft I you to the valuable report of the Commissioner of Labe 4 Statistics, himself a workingman. The importance e 1 these bureaus in collecting statistics relating to all depar ments of labor and inquiring into the relationship betwee l employer and employee has caused them to [be recosl nized as indispensable national and State institutions, an entitles them to a liberal outlay for their support an j maintenance. Recognizing the necessity for this depaij ment, I commend and approve the recommendations t the report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. governor’s message. 9 0 > THE BOARD OF PUBLIC CHARITIES. During the first year of Governor Fowle’s administra¬ tion the Board, which had been allowed to lapse into a state of inactivity, was revived, a new Board appointed,, and with their organization began a work of usefulness- which can hardly be estimated. Their biennial report shows how thoroughly they have investigated the penal md charitable institutions of the State. They have organ- zed different county boards, and I am satisfied the Board is doing much good in calling attention to the condition of die county jails and charitable institutions of the Conn¬ ies. In their examination of the State institutions they ■eport that the institutions have made much improvement md have been well and economically managed. This loard should be encouraged by the Legislature; their rork is gratuitous and purely charitable. For a full survey of all our institutions and improve- lents of this character I commend to you their report, diich is full of valuable statistical information and will e of great assistance in obtaining a complete review of le State’s public charities. : INSANE ASYLUMS. The institutions for the insane have been well and eco- omically managed during the past two years, and the oard of Directors and the management of these institu- ons are to be congratulated by the people of the State pon their stewardship. The Board of Directors are in /ery instance practical business men who have given their osest attention to the details of these institutions without iy, except per diem and expenses, and have managed the fairs as they would their own business. The Superintend- its are men of capacity and have been devoted to their irk, giving to the unfortunates their best care and atten- GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 20 tion. In a message of tliis length the principal recom¬ mendations alone can be noticed, and for the full detail of the work of each institution I refer you to their carefully prepared reports. THE NORTH CAROLINA INSANE ASYLUM AT RALEIGH. This institution has the care of all the white insane per¬ sons east of Richmond, Durham and Person counties, and is still inadequate for the needs of the State for this class! of her afflicted citizens. North Carolina is growing in population each year, and there is no diminution of insan¬ ity. The last Legislature made appropriation for the erec¬ tion of a congregate dining-room with dormitories for female i patients, which has been built, but by an oversight no appropriation for furnishing this building and maintaining, the increased number of patients which it will accommo¬ date was made. When this is furnished they will be able to accommodate seventy-five additional patients. Seven- i teen insane persons have been rejected for want of room. Many of our counties are supporting their insane, but in | such a way that no hope of their recovery can he enter¬ tained. This class requires more than any other the State’? care and appeals to vour liberal support. A great StatdB should not allow her insane to be confined in jails and poor ^ houses, but should place them at once under the care o I able physicians and give them proper exercise and amuse I ment, in order that many a good citizen may be restom A and become useful to his State and people. This institution was originally built to care for 240 pa I tients, yet there has been a daily average of 307£. Th number admitted during the last two years was 171; nurabei j discharged as cured, 90; improved, 20; on bond, 3. Th per capita cost for subsistence is $170.80. This institutioj has been well managed. The improvements desired anj necessary^ are as follows : GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 27 For maintenance and support of 382 patients 65,245 60 To pay outstanding debts_ 4,590 94 To furnish new buildings_ 3,345 00 For fire protection by connection with city water¬ works _ 7,000 00 For new pumps, repairs to gas plant and shed for tools_ 800 00 Total_$ 80,981 54 Making in addition to annual appropriation $15,735.94. I think it would be economy for the State to connect the Asylum with the city water-works as a protection against fire, and if necessary cut down the amount of insurance. After investigation of the report of the Chairman of the Board I would respectfully call your attention to his remarks in regard to the criminal insane and ask your care¬ ful consideration of his recommendation. Many decided improvements have been made, and the institution is becomi¬ ng more fully equipped and more capable of the great work which you have committed to its care. THE STATE HOSPITAL AT MORGANTOX. The report of this institution shows over fifty per cent. >f recoveries on admissions and less than five per cent, of eaths on the whole number under treatment. The daily .verage of patients was 556. The last Legislature appro¬ bated $12,000 for the erection of a congregate diniug- oom for males, which is complete and will be ready for ccupancy in January. This building will accommodate ne hundred additional patients. The furniture being lade in their own shops has enabled the Board to lessen |onsiderably the expense of erection. The demand for lore room for lunatics is pressing. Nearly 200 have been ejected for want of room, and owing to the crowded con- 28 governor's message. dition of the female wards the Board undertook the erec¬ tion of a building for women. To finish and furnish this new building an additional appropriation of #4,000 is desired. On the closest estimate for expenses for the ensu¬ ing year #100,000 is needed. With this appropriation the institution will be able to care for 140 additional patients, making a total of 690 patients at a per capita cost of #142 as against #150 for the last biennial report. This I is but seventy dollars, per capita increase for the pro- i posed 140 patients, just about what it costs to keep a lunatic in an ordinary poor-house, and much less than the cost of keeping prisoners in jails. Their improved tube | well system of water-works, supplying over 200,000 gal- : Ions per day, is a great improvement over the old system, and was very much needed, giving the institution ample ,i water supply in case of tire. A better system of lighting is needed, and I would advise that you take under consid¬ eration the erection of an electric plant. An institution ot i this size and cost should not be subjected to a poor system j of lighting—the use of gasoline and the dangers attend¬ ing the use of gas, under the present system, which is j unsatisfactory and dangerous. If vour honorable bodv is not satisfied with the necessity of these improvements I would suggest that you appoint a committee to visit thi l and other institutions and see for yourselves the need o J these improvements and the grand work which is beim done in these institutions. THE EASTERN HOSPITAL. This institution was opened August 1, 1880, with "■ patients. Since that time there have been many additions and it now accommodates 307 patients—129 males, 17 females. For the past two years the whole number t rente- was 459—206 males and 263 females; admitted during hr GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 29 year 180, and a large number of females have been rejected. The last Legislature appropriated $13,000 for the erection of an annex for males. This was completed in June last at a cost of about $2,000 less than the appropriation, owing to the fact that all the common labor was furnished by the inmates of the Asylum. This building will enable them to accommodate the male insane for some years to come. According to Dr. Miller’s report there is no diminution of insanity among the colored population, and there is urgent necessity for the erection of a building for females. Many have been turned away during the past year, who are now languishing in jails and other places of confinement throughout the State. I quote from his report: “The State has long since undertaken the humane care of her insane population, regardless of race, politics or religion, and she should discharge this responsibility to an extent that should meet the exigencies of this duty. It should be our aim to make this not only a home to the colored insane, but in a higher sense it should be our endeavor to make it a hospital, so that as many as possible may be restored to normal mentality and cease to be burdens to the State and become wage-earners and self-supporting- citizens.” There are now twenty female patients in a room over the laundry for the want of space. It seems to me it is abso¬ lutely necessary that you make the appropriation of $20,000 isked for in his report, so that this unfortunate class can )e given proper care and attention. The State of Virginia aas about one-third more negro population and accommo- lates 800 insane persons in her negro asylum at Peters¬ burg. The per capita cost of maintenance is $115.94 per 'ear. The question is, Can the State keep them for less md give them proper care and attention ? If not, then it is 'our duty, for the sake of humanity and these poor, afflicted 30 GOVERNORS MESSAGE. persons, to see to it that they are given proper care and maintenance, and I recommend that in addition to the amount required for maintenance you make this appropria¬ tion. The money will be economically spent and the State | of North Carolina will have discharged her duty towards I this afflicted and dangerous class of her citizens. Many | improvements have been made in this institution. Under > special act they purchased 170 acres of land adjoining the I asylum for $1,900, and this will enable them to add still more to their own support. As far as it is possible they | utilize everything to make the institution self-supporting, I and their report shows good business management. INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB AND THE BLIND, i Since the last report from this institution many things, j have transpired which may, and doubtless will, affect its j future. Chief among these is the removal of the white mutes j from this institution to the School for the Deaf and Dumb j at Morganton, by which the white department here is con- I verted into a school for the blind exclusively. This has j very greatly relieved the crowded condition of the depart- I ment soon to be filled again from the ranks of the 731 blind children of the State, as shown by the Census of 1890. The report shows more room is an imperative necessity j for the accommodation of those already in attendance—al chapel with dormitories overhead for the white depart- | ment and a recitation-room with dormitories for the ] colored. An appropriation for these needed improvements 1 recommend. In verification of the economical administration of this institution you will find herewith comparative figures oi the per capita cost for maintenance of pupils at other simij i lar institutions, viz.: governor’s message. 31 Perkins Institute for the Blind_$360 39 Pennsylvania Institute for the Blind_ 363 71 Maryland School for the Blind_i_ 275 00 North Carolina Institute for the Blind __ 160 00 The Board of Directors of this institution have never received any emolument whatever for fifty years’ service given the State in the management of this great charity. The separation of the mutes from the blind, by the removal of the former to Morganton, makes this a fitting- opportunity to place this school upon a parity with the foremost institutions of the land, and I feel sure, after a care¬ ful examination into the conduct of the institution and its necessities, you will be willing to appropriate a sum suffi¬ cient to make the necessary improvements and equip the 'same. Their report, which is complete in every detail, is herewith transmitted for further information. THE NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. The Legislature of 1891 found that there were upward of 800 deaf mutes in the State of North Carolina, and feeling that this class required the support of the State, as well as those who have no infirmity, in order that they might become better citizens and able to earn a livelihood, created the School for the Deaf and Dumb, to be located at Morgan¬ ton, her citizens offering the most liberal inducements. A splendid institution has been established—large and capa¬ ble of accommodating 250 pupils, if appropriation is made tor their support. In October the school was opened and now has 102 pupils. The last Legislature appropriated $35,000 per annum, but it was not sufficient to pay off the former indebtedness and prosecute to a successful end the building operations. The Board recommends that the Leg- slature pay off this indebtedness and continue the appro- 32 governor’s message. priation of $35,000 annually. 1 indorse most heartily this recommendation of the Board. They need many things in a school just beginning, and it will be necessary in order to make the school capable of doing the work imposed upon it by the State. This class have as much claim to an education at the hands of the State as other children, and since their defects prevent them from receiving it in the ordinary public schools it is only just that they should be instructed in schools especially adapted to fit them for a useful life. Uneducated mutes are frequently vicious. This is almost entirely obviated in educational training. As a rule they come to the school petted and spoiled children, consequently helpless. Their discipline while at school should be rigid, so as to impart thoroughness in the prac¬ tice of the few industries to which they are limited. To the useful and practical training already given them I would add printing, which was once taught with great suc¬ cess at the school in Raleigh, and moulding, decorating and burning of pottery. Apart from suitableness of the occupation—the boys to mould and girls to decorate, no industrial plant could be erected at less cost and sup¬ plied with material of a superior quality than from our own soil. The State does not do its duty to this class ol unfortunates unless it couples with the intellectual train¬ ing such an industrial education as will enable the pupil to earn an honest living. A technical knowledge of some suitable industry before leaving the institution will equip them for the battle of life and start them in the world on a basis of equality with the wage-earner. This institution is capable of doing the work if you equip it. Their greatest need, next to sup port, is in the industrial department, machinery and took for carpenter shop, outfit for printing-office, for the shoe making trade, for mattress and broom-making, etc. Thi- GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 33 equipment will cost about $3,500, and should be in addition to the appropriation asked by the Board of Directors. I do not think that you can make any mistake in the money spent on this class; it is well invested and will yield an abundant harvest. For further information I commend to you the report of the Superintendent. THE OXFORD ORPHAN ASYLUM. This institution for the care of the orphan children of the State is one which demands your special attention. If t is the duty of the State to provide educational advan¬ tages for her boys and girls it is certainly imperative upon ler to provide for those left destitute, with no one to pro¬ vide for their support, training and early education. No me can estimate its effects upon the future society and itizensliip of the State. If these boys and girls are left o shift for themselves, with no care or instruction, the uality of manhood and womanhood will yearly degen- rate in North Carolina. No one can estimate the good fleets of early moral training, consequently the Oxford •rphan Asylum should be near and dear to the hearts of 11 patriotic citizens. Many improvements have been made i the past two years which are enumerated in the Super- itendent’s report. The receipts for the past two years are > follows: rom farm _$ 35 45 ram shoe-shop_ 163 75 'orn printing-office_ 2,016 24 - ; ’om lodges, churches, etc_ 6,416 13 ■om State _ ' 'and Lodge 10,000 00 2,100 00 Total 3 governor’s message. 34 The management of this institution is under the care of the great and grand order of Masons, and has been care¬ fully managed. The children are taught to work on the farm, in the printing-office, and given daily instruction. They have under cultivation one hundred acres of land, which supplies much of their food. The present Superin¬ tendent docs not ask for an increase of appropriation, hut commends the institution to your care. A much larger ap¬ propriation could be expended aud with the best results, j There has been an average attendance of 205 children j during the past year. Some have obtained situations ii private families, others have gone to work. I he average . cost of maintenance is about §105 per year, the healtl of the children is excellent. THE COLORED ORPHAN ASYLUM AT OXFORD. This institution was established in 1886, the work beini apparently a failure. The present Superintendent, Re\ J Robert Shephard, took charge of the institution in Febrij j ary, 1890, and under his care the institution has grown til its present capacity. Receipts during the past year iron State, churches, societies and individuals, $2,367. Of th amount the State contributes §1,500. 1 he total nunibcj a in attendance in 1893 was 60; in 1894, 66—a per capi> j support of §36. With the present building the Superb ! tendent states that he could support 100 children, it tl i State could appropriate §3,000, with the outside aid receive) J There arc many improvements needed, and 1 recommetj that this appropriation be made. THE NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIoj | The North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Static. ; which includes the Fertilizer Control Station and the Stfpl Weather Service, is just closing a successful and satis!;- GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 35 t'orv year. It lias lived for eighteen years, and each year that passes marks a substantial advance over the previous one. At this time the work accomplished for the benefit of the farmers of the State and agriculture and horticul¬ ture generally is very far-reaching, and our people gen¬ erally recognize the fact and are more than ever taking iadvantage of the help that it affords. The work of the Fertilizer Control is sustained by the tonnage charge upon fertilizers. All the remaining work of the Station in all its branches is supported by the general government, and the State derives all the advantages from them without the direct appropriation of a single cent from its Treasury. During the last two years the Station has published and widely distributed 152 separate distinct publications. The edition of the regular issue is 17,000 copies, and the others vary according to the demand. Some of the subjects treated n the bulletins during the past two years are: Some exper- ments in wheat culture, the culture of orchard and garden Vuits, feeding experiments, horticultural tests and results, uiscellaneous agricultural topics, digestion experiments, ome leguminous crops and their economic value, thread /orm of pork, our common insects, dairy industry in the date, why pull fodder corn, the chestnut and its evil, Rational stock-feeding, propagation of flowering bulbs for lommercial purposes, feeding trials with animals, marls nd phosphates of North Carolina. Among other work of a distinctive character during the last two years the Station has elaborated a system of seed andarcl and of a voluntary seed control to benefit both sell- l‘s and buyers, has investigated the possibility of estab- ! idling the flowering bulb industry and thus bring to North irolina the immense trade annually going abroad, has ade special exhibits at two State Fairs and sent large ntributions to the World’s Fair at Chicago, has published 3G governor’s message. and widely distributed many appropriate, timely and use¬ ful educational bulletins designed to disseminate better agricultural methods throughout the State, has taken steps to give special agricultural and horticultural information to the Waldensian colonists in Burke county, has investi¬ gated very completely the subject of our ordinary and home-grown cattle foods and placed true values upon them by means of carefully planned digestion experiments with cattle, has through the Fertilizer Control analyses preserved the grade and purity of thousands of tons of commercial fertilizers sold in North Carolina, has encouraged the dairy industry and the growth of improved breeds of stock, has disseminated knowledge in regard to important field crops such as crimson clover, soja-beans and cow-peas, by dis tributing packages for trial and in other ways, and has saved thousands of dollars by prompt distribution of weathei forecasts, especially with the early trucking crops. These and other results have been accomplished. Mucl of this work is being continued, and, together with othei subjects soon to be investigated, will prove of increasing interest and value as time goes bv. The Experiment Station is in a thoroughly healthy con dition, and its work and results are evidences of that fact AGRICULTURE. From an agricultural stand-point these are no ordinal' times. Our State, and, indeed, the country at large, is evej now passing through a crisis as great if not the grentes i in its history, brought about in a great measure by the lo 1 prices prevailing for farm products. Values for years hav been constantly declining until now they have touched point at which, in too many instances, losses instead d profits are to be counted. If this is to be continued tl economic life of our people must undergo a great cluing governor’s message. 37 The general condition of agriculture, the world over, is very much worse than it was ten years ago. It is not that progress in any one country has not been met by similar progress in others, or that one has gained at the expense of another; but withering blight lias come to us all alike. The wheat farmers of the Argentine Republic and the Western American States, the cattle breeders of Australia and the United States, the cotton planters of the South and of India, Egypt and Asiatic Russia find their voca¬ tion unprofitable. There was a time when all this was different. From 1850 to 1860 the value of our farms doubled. Our national wealth doubled. There were no ten¬ ant farmers. The increase in wealth was the farmers’ own. What has brought about so great a change? Legislation in North Carolina has ever been friendly to the State’s chief industry, agriculture, and the ills we suffer to-day have their origin in unjust national and not State legisla¬ tion. A simple indication to our law-makers that the interest of the farmer would be fostered by a certain law has been all-sufficient for its enactment. ITow best to jerve this majority class of our population has been the earnest wish of the Board of Agriculture since its estab- ishment. I have read carefully the report of the Board nade to your honorable body, and I commend most leartily its unvarying efforts to impress the people with he necessity of diversification in crops. It is the only bsolute safety for the farmer in times of great depression. ATLANTA EXPOSITION. The various exhibits which North Carolina has made of er immense natural resources, variety of soils and delight- ilness of climate have attracted much attention, and the ffects are being daily felt throughout the State by the umerous inquiries and the settlers who are coming to us 38 GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. and the money which is being invested within the State. The exhibit at the World’s Fair was creditable. While the appropriation was small, still we showed the world that we were among the most progressive States of the South. A great part of this exhibit is now in the Museum in this city and daily offers to our people information about their State which they can get from no other source. A great International Exposition is to be held in the city of Atlanta in the fall of 1895. North Carolina has been invited and urged to make an exhibit. Atlanta is the most progress¬ ive city in the South and alive to every new enterprise < which may add to its own greatness, and this exposition will be a success if push and energy will bring it. Would it benefit North Carolina to exhibit her resources at this j exposition? Much could be said on this subject, but I believe that there is no better way on earth to lay before the world the advantages of your section of country than at this exposition. No one can estimate the good results accomplished, and I heartily indorse the recommendations of the Board of Agriculture. North Carolina should be represented, and if the appro priatiou is made she will make an exhibit of which lie; .1 citizens will be proud, and will attract the attention and j investigation of those who will attend this exposition. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANXI < VERS ARY OF THE CITY OF BALTIMORE. My attention has been called to the Baltimore Centennia > Exposition, which is to lie held in the city of Baltimor) j from May 15 to November 15. 1897, to commemorate th| \ one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the cit of Baltimore. This exposition is designed to embrace th products of agriculture, mines, electricity, fish and fisheriel . timber manufactures, the liberal and fine arts and science GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 39 of the United States and Canada, the Central and South American Republics and various nations of the world. Baltimore is at the gate-way of the immense industrial North, progressive, and has many advantages for such an enterprise. If carried out on the scale proposed it will command the attention of America and foreign nations, and I think that North Carolina should make an exhibit of her wealth in this Southern city. Many representative North Carolinians do business in this city who would interest themselves in this matter, and I commend it to you and ask that this subject of making an exhibition at these two representative Southern cities be referred to a committee on this subject for investigation and recommen¬ dation of amount of appropriation which may be neces¬ sary to enable North Carolina to make an exhibit worthy of her resources and advancement in agricultural and manufactured products. STATE FAIR. North Carolina makes an appropriation of $1,500 to the North Carolina Agricultural Society, to be paid for premi¬ ums on agricultural and mechanical products exhibited it the State Fair. I am proud to state that the last State Fair was the greatest success as a fair which I have ever attended in the State. The Society is to be congratulated m the splendid exhibit and the large attendance. To make this fair successful the State should give a larger ippropriation. A great many settlers from the West are noving into the State. They come with new ideas in egard to farming and the manner of cultivation, and I relieve the State could not make a better expenditure of ifloney than to encourage the North Carolina Agricultural 'Ociety in its efforts to give the farmers and manufacturers }jf the State an opportunity to show the improved methods 40 governor’s message. of husbandry, farming, mining and manufacturing. Tc meet once a year and exchange ideas, see the improve-] ments in all branches of industries and farming through¬ out the State, is of incalculable benefit to our people. For your information I append a partial list of appro priations made to State Fairs: New Jersey, annually_$ 3,000 City of Richmond, annually_=._ 5,00( Ohio, annually _ 8,00( Rhode Island, annually_ 3,20Q Iowa, annually_ 8,00( Iowa, to county fairs, annually_ 25,00( Maine, annually_ 2,00< Connecticut, annually_ 2,50( Minnesota, annually_ 4,00t New York, annually_ 20,00< Oregon, annually_ o,00< Illinois, annually_ 13,00« The appropriations demonstrate that these States mus receive great benefit from such investments. NORTH CAROLINA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Comparatively few people are aware to what exteij I horticulture is carried on in North Carolina. According tjl the Census of 1890 the number of acres, exclusive of ma a ket gardens, devoted to the trucking interest in Nort 1 Carolina was 22,000; the aggregate value of fertilize** used, $372,000; amount paid labor, $308,000; the a veil age net receipts, $1.7(50,000. If we add to this the produ< ; of the market gardens, the vineyards, orchards, hulb tarn and nurseries it will probably double the above amounfl This shows how important horticulture has become i| North Carolina. Regarding Horticulture as the hauj| governor’s message. 41 maiden of Agriculture, I ask you to make a liberal appro¬ priation to this Society, one commensurate with its impor¬ tance. THE NORTH CAROLINA INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATON. The colored people of this State should have an oppor¬ tunity annually of exhibiting their progress in industrial, mechanical and agricultural products. To this end there ,has been appropriated annually by the State $5.00 to assist them in their enterprise. They have been compelled of late years to use the State Fair Grounds, which causes the fair to be held in the latter part, of November. This s too late in the year to enable them to have a proper ittendance. Their exhibits have been good, and in order .hat the North Carolina Industrial Association may become nore useful in practical benefits to this people I recom- nend that you appropriate not less than $1,000 to this Association. PENITENTIARY. The crime of the State is the burden of the State. This :eing true, you will doubtless read with great interest the eport of the Superintendent of the State’s Prison. The bject of legal punishment is the protection of the citizens nd the reformation of its criminals and the deterring Sleets of such punishment upon the evil-disposed. I am mvinced that reasonable, speedy and sure punishment r violations of the law is not only the best but surest .eans of securing these desired ends. Very stringent laws o frequently result in the liberation of the guilty b} r the ry; justice too long delayed is provocative of mob law; id Executive clemency too frequently exercised has a ndency to minimize punishment in the e}ms of the crimi- d. Experience has taught us that in the management the criminal classes far better and more satisfactory 42 governor’s m ess age. results have been obtained by moral suasion and the exer¬ cise of a mild but firm discipline rather than by inhuman methods. Jn our State Prison the benignant effects of a mild policy are discovered in the general strict obedience: to discipline on the part of the inmates and the compara¬ tive contentment and resignation they carry into the per¬ formance of their duties. The very vicious criminal as a rule is not a well-informed I person, and does not have the opportunity of learning of the deterring effects of punishment. 1 would suggest the immediate incarceration of all such criminals as are in danger of mob violence at once in the Penitentiary, there to remain, at the expense of the county in which the deed! was committed, until trial, and that in the future all capi¬ tal punishment be inflicted in the Penitentiary, that it may more effectually impress the criminal class. I would suggest that, the State having assumed charge] of the dependent insane, the indigent blind and deaf, a large part of the cost of maintenance might be saved by] utilizing some of its prison labor in the manufacture ol j clothing, shoes, etc., for the inmates of the various institu-1 tions. This would give employment to a certain class o l prison population that arc not now permitted to leave the i walls. The operations of the State Penitentiary have been con j fined almost exclusively to farming. About eighty pet I cent, of the convicts have been employed throughout tin 1 year on the farms. Small forces have been engaged in out I side work whenever it could be obtained at a profit. Tin . remaining convicts, such as life prisoners and some longB term convicts and the feeble men and women, havebeeil confined in the central Penitentiary, and employed in brick j making, shop work, shoe-making, clothes-making, etc., etc, , The farm work has been prosecuted with vigor and eifect GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 43 and so far as the quantity of the crop produced is evidence the dikes had to be partially rebuilt, which consumed con¬ siderable time and means. New lands of about 1,600 acres were cleared and planted, leaving some 1,000 acres of for¬ est land on different farms vet to be reduced to cultivation. Areas Cultivated. Halifax farm on the Roanoke 1,350 acres. ... 2,150 “ Northampton farm on the Roanoke Caledonia farm on the Roanoke_ Castle Ilayne, New Hanover comity 4,500 “ 600 “ Total 8,600 acres. . Upon this area 140 persons are employed to keep, man¬ age and care for an average number of 1,000 convicts. On the farm and works 226 mules and 37 horses have been The Principal Crops Produced in 1894.. Cotton 843,500 pounds, 52 per cent, more than in 1893. Corn 93,900 bushels, 54 per cent, more than in 1893. Wheat 11,301 bushels, 258 per cent, more than in 1893. Oats 4,650 bushels more than in 1893. Forage 2,286,750 pounds, 50 per cent, more than in 1893. Peas 4,000 bushels, 9 per cent, less than in 1893. Peanuts 7,200 bushels, 42 per cent, less than in 1893. 1 Sorghum 7,620 gallons, 53 per cent, more than in 1893. Meat 85,000 pounds, 75 per cent, more than in 1893. Sanitary Condit ions. j! There has been much improvement in the sanitary con- ition and the health of the population. The physicians tate that most of the sickness is from malaria. While 44 governor's message. this cause may not be entirely removed great improve¬ ment has been made in the system of drainage and efforts have been made to improve the drinking watei tluoughl deep water wells. It could he done by cisterns, dhej State Geologist thinks that good water could be obtained bv a system of deep wells ol about 350 teet. Ihe experi¬ ment lias been made but not yet successfully. Needs of the Penitentiary. The crops have been large. The quantity produced has been increased to the utmost limit. Prices have been scl low and Joss on them has been so great that eonsideiabh less has been realized than was expected or could have been under different conditions. They have earned $25,001 outside of the farms. They have used the $25,000 appro¬ priated by the last Legislature, and 825,000 only, in th< last two years; or $12,500 each year is all that th* Penitentiary lias cost the tax-payers ot the State. 1 hi appropriation w ! as expended on account ol losses in till floods of 1893 and to purchase ninety-six mules and othe requisites for equipment for increased farming. W ith thj exception of this $25,000 the Penitentiary has been sell sustaining, without another dollar of tax money, notwith standing the low price at which products have ruled; auc at the end of the year owes $14,188, now due. This i not a deficit, for the assets in surplus materials convertibl into money at a reasonable valuation, with bills collect] ble, amount to $44,000. If this could be sold at reasoi able sums and bills due collected at once the Penitentiar would start the year with a handsome balance in its iavo If this surplus was cash in hand it would amount to aboij three months’ support. The Penitentiary should ear in outside work two months support from January i October, when another crop would mature, and wouU GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 45 leave four months to be supported by the State. This will require an appropriation of $50,000 to carry on the work until October, 1895. Then there should be a contingent appropriation to prepare for any disaster or trouble, and this amount, if used, could be returned to the Treasury from its profits. This appropriation would run the Peni¬ tentiary until October, 1895, when the second crop would be made, which would be a surplus. Could we not then say the Penitentiary is self-sustaining? All investments are doubtful, but I earnestly believe if you will give this assistance your next meeting will find the Penitentiary amply able to take care of itself.^ All business is hazard¬ ous, but this, unless floods or fires destroy, will be self- sustaining at that time. ' To Purchase Farms. The affairs of this institution have been, in my judg¬ ment, most admirably managed; the outlays judicious. The Superintendent has had a laborious task, but has proven himself a man fully equal to the management of his great work and capable of conducting this experiment ;o a successful ending. I believe that this is the best use hat can be made of the convicts, and trust, gentlemen, hat you will grant the appropriation needed. The institu- ion is open to your investigation and inspection. The hate is now paying a rental of seven per cent, for the arms. If it is to be the policy of the State to continue his work it is but a sound business proposition to purchase he farms with an issue of four per cent, bonds, thereby aving to the State three per cent., which fund, placed as sinking fund, will pay the entire purchase-money at the xpiration of forty years. governor's message. 46 Reformatory for Juvenile Convicts. I would respectfully call your attention to that part of his report in reference to a Reformatory for juvenile con¬ victs. There are convicts in the Penitentiary who were received at the age of nine years—fifty-five under the aye of sixteen, and these should not be allowed to associate with hardened criminals, but upon conviction sent direct to the Reformatory. It is due society that the State should attempt to reform this class rather than by association to allow them to become j confirmed criminals. Experience teaches that it is very seldom that criminals of the worst class ever become bene¬ fited by their term of imprisonment or caused to lead a ] better life. The youthful prisoner confined for petty lar- | cenv and such crimes could be reformed with proper care' and treatment, but to remain for two or three years in daily contact with the older criminals has a bad influence ovei them the rest of their lives, and instead of becoming reformed -j citizens they often develop into worse criminals than then j associates. I approve this recommendation for a Reforms torv, and submit the matter to your consideration. STATE GUARD. In all monarchical forms of government a standing armv I has been considered necessary for defense from foreign euej mies and protection for the form of government, and to-da\ European countries are overburdened with taxation for tin expenses of standing armies. The policy of this govern j rnent has been to protect its citizens in the free enjoymen of life and liberty by salutary laws, and each citizen ha been taught in the past to respect them. In our early hi.' torv the old militia law served its purpose, and the assenj I bling periodically, under the Constitution, of all able-bodied governor’s message. 47 citizens at the county-seat or place of muster was consid¬ ered all that was necessary for the protection of our citizens. In the advancement of the age the old militia law has been succeeded by the National Guard system, which has proven to be much more efficient and by far the most eco¬ nomical way of giving to the State such protection as is necessary in these turbulent times, when our country is overrun with foreign population of the lowest order, who have no respect for our laws or institutions. The last Legis¬ lature recodified the military laws, and under the efficient management of the present Adjutant General the State Guard and Naval Reserves are now fully equipped and prepared to do active service at any time. There are now twenty-eight military companies of white infantry, divided into four regiments of seven companies each—one troop of cavalry (white) and one company of infantry (colored), both unattached, and one battalion of Naval Reserves (three divisions), numbering in all thirty- three companies, aggregating 1,660 men. The land forces have been reduced to thirty companies, the number con- jtemplated by law. These companies are located on lines jof railroads and telegraphic communication throughout the State, and can be concentrated in a few hours’ notice in sufficient numbers to do any service required of them. The Guard is composed of our very best young men from every rank of life, who are capable and willing to do ser¬ vice at any time. There has been at times a sentiment throughout the State to depreciate the National Guard. I lave no patience with such a sentiment, and the patriotic ■itizens of North Carolina should rather honor and respect he young men of the State who give gratuitously their ime and service for this purpose. In times of trouble or ixcitement the first thought in these days is the Guard, in cl not the old-fashioned Sheriff’s posse, which, if depended 48 GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. upon, would be unable to meet the emergency. 1 have witnessed this since my induction into office, and assure you, gentlemen of the General Assembly, were you in im¬ position you would most highly esteem the National Guard, and agree with me that it is the right arm of the Execu¬ tive in times of commotion or disturbance. In April of 1893 I was called on by the civil authorities of Craven county to execute a writ of ejectment of certain citizens of James City from the lands owned by James Bryan. Esq. The civil authorities were totally incapable of dispossessing them. The Sheriff asked for 4d0 or 500 men. I put the First Regiment in Xewbern within twelve hours, encamping outside of the city, and accompanied them with sufficient officers of my staff to perform the required duties. Without the military nothing could have been done; the mere fact that it was there brought these parties to terms. They defied the officers of law for over thirty days, during which time the Sheriff was unable to get posses to assist him in executing writ of ejectment. This case was a pecu¬ liar one, and had to be dealt with carefully; but without this force the county of Craven would have been unable to meet this emergency. During the time the First Regi¬ ment was present in Newbern the soldiers behaved splen¬ didly, and especially so under the very trying circumstances of the sudden encampment. Four times during the past year, upon requisition of the civil authorities, troops have been called upon to preserve order and prevent anticipated riot or disturbance. In this, your capital city, only last sum mer was the Executive called upon after nightfall to pre¬ vent the prisoners in the county jail from being lynched and 1 am satisfied but for the fact that a military company was stationed on guard these prisoners would have beei taken out and bung, at least some of them would, withou governor’s message. 49 a trial, without an examination of facts as to their guilt. I cite this case as an example only. Time and again the State Guard has done good service. Hardly a year has passed since its organization that it has not been called upon to protect property or prevent bloodshed. Their presence in the State is assurance enough that the Execu¬ tive is able to govern under the laws. The officers and men have always been such as could be trusted to execute carefully and discreetly such orders as have been issued to them. The State appropriates $16,000 per annum for the, sup¬ port of the State Guard. This is-used to pay armory rent for the store of arms and drill purposes, insurance on arms and equipments and for annual encampment ($5,000). The National Government furnishes clothing and equip¬ ments amounting to $9,488.73 for this State, and so much importance is attached to the National Guard by the gen¬ eral government that within the past four years the annual appropriation granted by Congress for over one hundred years has been doubled, and a still further increase has been recommended by the President. North Carolina, in proportion to her size and ability, does but little for her State Guard, as the following will show: STATE GUARD. 'Statement Showing Amount of Annual Appropriation Paid to State Guard by Different States. Vlabama appropriates annually_$ 20,000 California appropriates annually_ 180,000 folorado appropriates annually__ 30,000 Connecticut appropriates annually_all expenses paid. listrict of Columbia appropriates annually_ 19,500 leorgia appropriates annually_ 20,000 4 50 GOVERNOR 8 MESSAGE. Illinois appropriates annually_ 132,001 Indiana appropriates annually_ 37,001 Iowa appropriates annually_ 45,001 Maine appropriates annually_ 26.18. r Maryland appropriates annually_ 45,001 Massachusetts appropriates annually_210,001 Michigan appropriates annually_ 73,281 Minnesota appropriates annually_ 40,001 New Hampshire appropriates annually_ 25,001 New York appropriates annually_ 400,001 Ohio appropriates annually_ 119,00< Oregon appropriates annually_ 30,001 Pennsylvania appropriates- annually_ 320,00< Rhode Island appropriates annually_ 56,42 South Carolina appropriates annually_ 25,00'. Tennessee appropriates annually_ 22,501 Texas appropriates annually_ 20,00 Vermont appropriates annually_ 15,00 Wisconsin appropriates annually_ 84,66 I would respectfully call your attention to the full an complete report of the Adjutant General and his assoeiaf officers. I do not recommend at this time an increase c the appropriation further than to heartily indorse th recommendations of the Adjutant General. The Stat should appreciate most highly the services of her citizei soldiers and should ration the troops and pay a small pi diem while engaged in the service of the State. I do m deem it further necessary to dwell upon the great impo tance of a State Guard. It is mv opinion that this is abs- lutely necessary to enable the State at all times to enford the law. It is by far the cheapest manner in which it ea he done. What is $16,000 per annum to the people of great State, when a single “muster” carried out under tl governor’s message. 51 old militia laws of the State would cost the people at least four or five times as much. I commend to you as business men, with the welfare of the State at heart, to encourage the organization as a mat¬ ter of economy, maintain its efficiency as provided for in the Constitution, and by your indorsement make the mem¬ bers thereof feel that the State appreciates their services and honors the men who sacrifice their time and service without pay and reward. soldiers’ home. Originally this Home was maintained entirely by volun¬ tary contribution. The Legislature of 1891, recognizing he just claim of the veteran Confederate soldier to share n the distribution of the State’s charity, generously appro- mated $3,000 to the support of the Home. Again in 893 the appropriation was supplemented by an addi- ional sum of $5,000, making a total of $8,000. At this ame session the sum of $3,000 was appropriated for epairs and much-needed improvements. By reference to he report of the Board of Directors, which is herewith "ansmitted, and the Auditor’s report, it will be seen that ns fund was judiciously expended. The Board has made o recommendation asking for additional appropriation, referring to leave this matter to the generosity of North arolina’s legislators to adequately provide for the dis¬ ced veterans who risked their lives in defense of their .ate. I feel satisfied that the General Assembly will do eir duty in this matter. RAILROAD COMMISSION. Public regulation of railways is not only a public right, ht a public duty of great importance, and the right and (ty of control is no longer an open question. 52 GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. Railways are public highways and have control of trave and commerce, and the necessity of their being limited t« the exaction of reasonable rates is manifest; the masses o ; the people and the business of the country are completel; at their mercy if allowed to dictate at will the amount c charges, etc. The General Assembly at its session of 189 passed an act establishing a Railroad Commission. The Board of Railroad Commissioners are investe with judicial powers; authorized to hear and decide con plaints; to make rules for interchange of traffic betwee railroads; to hear and adjust the differences between then 1 to make, revise, alter and approve the tariffs of rai roads and telegraph companies; a Board of Appraise) for railroads, telegraph and steamboat companies. Til act has been judiciously construed in its vital points k the highest courts and in every essential particular h; been upheld. The policy of the State and the Railroa Commission is as friendly to railroad construction and railroad prosperity as it ever was. The Railroad Commission understands and our peop understand that their interests and the interests of tl railroads are so mutually dependent that any policy whit would affect injuriously the railroads would as certain operate against the prosperity and welfare of the peop The Commission, in its wisdom, by a wise and conserv- tive administration, has accomplished great good, and the same time a better feeling between the railroad co'- panies and the people has been brought about. Your attention is called to the reports of the Railrol Commission. It is seen that many complaints from tm to time, covering a wide field, have been adjudicated. Tp Railroad Commission is open to the humblest citizb Ills complaint, no matter how small, always has a cared consideration and a thorough investigation. governor’s message. 53 The fact that there is a tribunal to which the people can appeal from the railroads, and to which the railroads can appeal as against each other, often prevents that wrong md injustice which makes an appeal necessary. Many new depots and improved facilities have been established along the different roads of the State. The Commissioners state that it was found, as a rule, great nequality and differences existed at non-competitive points n freight rates; that excessive charges were made for short lauls, and that discriminations were made at almost every ntermediate station. A standard tariff of rates adjusting 11 these matters upon a fair basis was made. This led o a reduction and saving to the people upon freight harges of about one-quarter of a million dollars per nnum; passenger charges over two hundred thousand ollars per annum. Express rates have been modified. Tiegraphing has been simplified and rates reduced at cast fifty per cent. The tax returns in the Auditor’s office upon the estab- shment of the Commission show the railroad property jeturned for taxation to have been about $12,000,000; the resent taxable value is about $25,000,000—more than joubled. The Commission has been active in seeing that very species of property liable to taxation coming under s jurisdiction was placed upon the tax-books. Many eamboats heretofore untaxed and even the Pullman cars inning through the State are now taxed. Notwithstand- g these sweeping reductions in rates and increased value raced on the property for taxation the railroad officials do )t hesitate to say the Commission has dealt fairly with em. The people have enjoyed the advantage of lower rates, ad were relieved from the evils of unjust discriminations; the course of the Commission while highly beneficial 54 governor’s message. to the people has not been unjust to the railroads, and did not prove injurious to them. It is noticed that one of the largest systems of roads in the State was in the hands of a receiver. This system has now reorganized and on a more solid basis than ever. The Cape Fear & Yadkin Valley Railway is yet in the hands of a receiver. The report shows a decided improvement in railroad business over that of the previous year. THE NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY AND ITS EXEMP¬ TION FROM TAXATION. My purpose has been, as expressed in my message to the last General Assembly, to have all the property of the North Carolina Railroad Company assessed for taxation without exemption. All other railroad companies whose charters contained exemption of property from taxation have been required by one means and another to beai their burden of taxation without exemption. It is unnec¬ essary to enter now upon a consideration of the reason- that influenced the General Assemblies of this State many years ago to grant charters to railroad companies contain¬ ing clauses exempting parts or all of their property fron: taxation. It may be safely stated that so changed are tin conditions of business and population that under no cir cumstances could a General Assembly be elected now tha would grant such exemptions. It may be also safely stateu that the present condition of affairs was not in the con templation of those who drafted the present charter of tin North Carolina Railroad Company. It is a perpetual coi poration. The State owns three-fourths of its capital stock or $3,000,000 out of a total capital of $4,000,000. A the State has so strenuously and persistently insisted thaj all other companies whose charters contained exemption) should surrender them it would seem but an act of simpl governor’s message. 55 justice that the exemption of the North Carolina Railroad Company should be likewise surrendered. This would have been accomplished but for the vigorous opposition of the private stockholders of the company. The directors of the company passed a resolution to waive the exemp¬ tion and list all its property, hut the private stock¬ holders immediately applied to the Federal Court to restrain such action, and this suit is not yet determined. In an effort to obtain the sanction of the stockholders to his action of the directors the private stockholders, under lie operation of a harsh and unreasonable by-law adopted n 1891, have prevented a meetingmf stockholders for more hail a year. The by-law referred to requires that one uindred of the private stockholders representing a major¬ ity of the private stock shall be represented in person or \y proxy at any meeting held. The charter contemplates unual meetings of the stockholders: certain corporate cts can be done only at such annual meetings. The xeniption from taxation does not extend to all corporate roperty and continues only until the dividends of profits xceed six per cent. The company is now practically out f debt, and its annual income exceeds by nearly .$30,000 x per cent, upon its entire capital stock. The policy of s management heretofore has been to so increase its vpenses as to consume any surplus over six per cent., id this it has succeeded in doing. The General Assembly is for several years, in its acts to raise revenue, attempted ■ repeal all clauses in any railroad charter exempting its •operty in part or whole from taxation, but these attempts ive been rendered ineffectual by the decisions of the ideral Courts. If the condition upon which the exemp- >n depends has not already happened it is safe to say I at within a very few years we will see the entire operty of this corporation, without exemption, contribut- 5G governor’s message. ing its portion to the support of the State government and paying equally with the citizens of the State for the protection extended to it by the laws. I shall not cease in my efforts until this he accomplished. I renew the recommendation made in my inaugural address that this immunity from taxation be repealed. 1 believe that the interest of the State and the company will not be injured thereby, and that common honesty and justice require it. The State owns two-thirds of the stock of the Atlantic A North Carolina Railroad Company, and all of its property pays its proportion of the taxes, State county and municipal. The State has said to all other rail roads within her borders, “You must pay taxes, or you wil be shut off from public favor and consideration until you I do.” This has been done because the people demand tha» > all property of all classes shall bear its proportion of the public burdens. The result is that the Wilmington <$ Weldon Railroad Company, the Seaboard A Roanoke, tin Raleigh A Gaston Company, the Petersburg Company, the Cheraw A Salisbury—all except the North Carolina Rail road Company have surrendered their exemptions and nov pay taxes on all their property. It would seem just tha , the State should follow the Golden Rule and demonstrate h her citizens that in her sovereign capacity she require) 1 nothing of them that she will not conform to when sli lays aside her sovereignty and engages in a private entei prise. If the Legislature thinks that no action ought to b| I taken I recommend the consideration of some plan t : enable the company to transact its business in the stock ; holders’ meeting. Under the present by-laws a little mor than one-eighth of the stockholders of the company b; absenting themselves can prevent a meeting, and recta) results show that they will resort to this measure. N governor’s message. 57 meeting has been held since July, 1893, and none is likely to be held unless the subject of taxation is settled. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. In accordance with resolution of this Board an inspec¬ tion of the Atlantic & North Carolina Railroad was ordered, so that the present condition of this State property could be placed before you. I transmit herewith the report of Mr. Ed. Chambers Smith, a member of the Board. His report shows the State property to be in excellent condition, its road-bed, track and bridges in good repairf its depots equal to the needs of the road; its rolling stock good; its management successful. This railroad has paid the State three annual dividends of two per cent, on the stock owned by the State, amounting to $75,996. This stock, which up to this time has been non-paying, is now a source of revenue and thereby lessens the State’s taxes to that extent. The State should feel proud of this management, for during the past three years this railroad has been touched it its two most important shipping points by rival railroads, md the dividends declared under these circumstances prove conclusively that the management lias been most econom- ’ cal. Railroads for the past few years have been under a great strain to ; make both ends meet, many having gone nto receivers’ hands and been reorganized, vet under such ||! . iD ■ J •ircmnstances the only road operated by the State has idded to our revenue, and in all its affairs been managed trictly on business principles. STATE BOUNDARY LINE. The amount of $753.88 due North Carolina from Vir- ;inia for balance advanced on expense of running and narking boundary liue incurred by that State during the 58 GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. administration of Governor Scales, which had been repeat* edly asked for by Governors Fowle and Holt, has been col¬ lected by me and covered into the State Treasury. I found it necessary, for the purpose of establishing the rights of our citizens, to have run the boundary line between Monroe county in Tennessee, and Graham and Cherokee : counties in this State. The total cost was $577. I have a request from the Governor of Virginia that a | necessity exists for running a proper boundary line between Mecklenburg county in Virginia, and the counties of War¬ ren, Vance and Granville in North Carolina. As soon as I can investigate the matter I will ask you to take such action as may he required to protect our citizens in their rights. PARDONS, COMMUTATIONS AND REPRIEVES. The total number of pardons granted during the last two years was_ 77 Commutations _ 9 Reprieves_ 5 Total_ 91 Of the pardons granted forty-five were pardoned from the Penitentiary, twenty-one from county jails, and eleven from county jails whose terms were less than twelve months. Of the nine commutations two only were commuted from death sentence to the Penitentiary-—-one for life and one for thirty years’ imprisonment. The rest were changes in triv¬ ial sentences. The five reprieves were granted simply in order to give time for more thorough investigation. The most difficult and trying task confronting the Executive is a judicious and proper exercise of the pardoning power. There has been considered by the Executive 2*24 applica¬ tions for pardon. Complying with law, 1 herewith transmit governor’s message. 59 a full list of the pardons granted during the term of my office, with the reasons therefor, as an appendix to the message. SALARIES AND FEES. In obedience to chapter 424 of Laws of 1894 I report the following salaries paid by the Executive Department: Elias Carr, Governor_$3,000 per annum. S. F. Telfair, Private Secretary_ 1,200 “ “ Charles L. Hinton, Executive Clerk_ 600 “ “ Austin Dunston, employee_ 1 per day. Expenses of Executive Department for rewards and returning fugitives from justice: -For 1893_$3,376 97 For 1894_ 2,556 06 $5,933 03 Amount collected by Private Secretary and paid into the Treasury for two years for fees and seal tax, $2,587.42. FUGITIVES FROM JUSTICE. The expenses of offering and paying rewards and return >f fugitives from justice vary each year in accordance with he distance and number of fugitives escaping. I would uggest that, if possible, some legislation could be enacted ecpiiring greater security of prisoners confined for capital ases in the county jails, and the Sheriffs be made more esponsible for the security of these prisoners placed in their ustody. It is seldom that murderers are captured unless ewards are offered by the Executive, and it is often per- lexing to the Executive to discover whether the arrest lade is bona fide or collusion between the friends of the mrderer. Such cases have been called to my attention, GO GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. and I suggest that some law, if possible, be enacted to remedy this evil. NORTH CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. The Geological Survey has continued during the past two years its examination of the natural resources of the State, and I am glad to be able to report that the benefits of this work are becoming more important and apparent as the work progresses. The United States Geological Survey, as agreed upon in the beginning, lias continued its active co-operation with the State Survey, and the work accomplished has been greatly increased. Elaborate topographic maps have been prepared of all the mountain counties and the more west¬ ern Piedmont counties; and the geological maps of several of these counties are now being prepared. The iron ores of the State have been examined and a preliminary report on them published, which has been highly commended and extensively applied for. The corundum deposits in Clay, Macon, Jackson and Buncombe counties and the gold and monazite deposits of Burke, McDowell, Rutherford and Cleveland counties have been examined, and reports on these are now in preparation. Examinations of the clays, feldspars and building stone in the western and middle counties and of coal deposits in Chatham county are now in progress. A considerable amount of attention has been given to an examination of road materials and road con¬ struction in the State, and a bulletin on this subject has been published. A general survey of the water-powers of the State has been begun, and a report on this subject b now ready for the printer. A considerable amount ol attention lias been aiven to the studv of the mineral water- and the general water supply in the State, and especially concerning the practicability of deep well borings in tin eastern counties. governor’s message. 61 An examination lias been made of the timber supply, and the conditions of the forest lands of the eastern coun¬ ties, with especial reference as to how our forest wealth may be perpetuated by protecting the young growth and by restocking waste lands with valuable trees. Experiments have been carried on during the past year (1894) showing how, by the adoption of a different method of gathering- turpentine, the value of the product can be increased. A report on the forests of Eastern Carolina is now ready for distribution, and another relating to the forests of the entire State is ready for the printer. A geological survey of the State was inaugurated under Dr. Emmons just prior to the Civil War, and while it brought many investments its beneficial effects were overthrown by the war, and the manuscripts for a number of reports were lost or destroyed. Subsequently the survey under Prof. W. C. Kerr, though it was instrumental in bringing several millions of dollars of investments into the State, its bene¬ fits were largely lost by the untimely death of the State Geologist when only one volume of his reports had been published. The existing Survey, as will be seen from the above state¬ ment of its work, is investigating matters of importance to all sections of the State. It will have ready for publication during the present year nearly 1,000 pages of reports. It has already been largely instrumental in bringing capital into the State, it has prevented the expenditure of large sums of monej^ in mining operations where money would have been wasted, and as the reports now being published are distributed its usefulness in this and other ways will be largely increased. Among the beneficial results of the work during the past year it may be mentioned that by its experiments with the French method of gathering tur¬ pentine the Survey has shown how the value of this product 62 governor’s message. iii North Carolina has been increased to the extent of nearly $200,000 per annum; and it has been largely instrumental in reviving the monazite industry in the Piedmont counties, which promises to bring into these counties not less than $100,000 during the present year, and perhaps annually. Account of Expenditures for the Years 1893 and 189^. Iron ore investigations (1893)_$ 1,897 75 Gold ore investigations (1894) __ 1,513 19 Corundum investigations_ 1,955 54 Forestry investigations_ 1,590 21 General exploration and building stone investi¬ gations _ 2,323 06 Chemical work and material_ 1,133 82 Photographic work_ 771 54. Water-power investigation and topography_ 383 83 Clerical assistance_ 762 65 Postage_ 203 62 Investments_ 312 86 Equipment and repairs_ 159 82 Stationery and printing_ 58 38 Freight and express_ 230 52 Salary of State Geologist (for two years) ___ __ 5,000 00 Expenses of Geological Board meetings_ 151 10 Miscellaneous - 181 20 Diamond drill, coal and marble explorations __ 1,380 0( Total for two years_$19,999 08 IMPROVED ROADS. It is said that the condition of a country’s roads are in a measure, indicative of the civilization of its people If this be true, then North Carolina is low in the scale. Ii many portions of the State, at certain seasons of the year GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 63 they are almost impassable, and at best they are scarcely worthy of the name. It is useless to dwell upon the importance of better roads. In these days of rapid com¬ munication between great centers of population rough highways place the people who live remote from lines of railways at a fearful disadvantage. Not only is the value of properties in such localities seriously affected, but com¬ munication and intercourse of every description materially retarded. The old system of working the public roads, like the roads themselves, has worn entirely out, the labor expended upon them being in keeping with the roads, the very worst. A law must not only-be just, but seem so. No law upon our statute books appears less just than than the present road law, and a new system is imperative. I am glad to note, however, that the people have become aroused upon this matter, and in some sections of the State great efforts are being made to better the condition of the public highways, and with marked success. I trust that your body will appoint a special committee with ample powers to look into this very important matter, and report a bill embodying a satisfactory measure during your session. SHELL-FISH COMMISSION. No subject has probably aroused more interest in Eastern North Carolina since 1890 and 1891, when Pamlico Sound vas invested by the oyster pirate boats from Chesapeake lay, who took wdiat they wanted, frightened the citizens md robbed North Carolina of about $1,000,000 worth of ysters (raw material), than this subject of oysters and heir cultivation. The incoming of these strangers taught ur people many things in regard to the subject and evealed to them the immense richness of our waters in his bivalve luxury—introduced improved methods of andling and dredging. Such complaint was made that governor’s message. 64 the Legislature passed a sixty days’ law, and complete power was given to Governor Fowle to rid the waters of Pamlico Sound of these invaders. Up to this time factories had been established in most of the seaport towns, and the activity brought by this industry during the winter and spring months was being visibly felt by the business men of that section. The oystermen of the sound along the coast felt that they were deprived of their rights and a wail of discontent came up to your predecessors from this very worthy class of citizens to the effect that this right was theirs and should not be delegated to foreigners —men whe were depriving them of their livelihood, and would return again to Maryland as soon as they could make their profit* out of the business, etc., etc. Hence the present law of tht State relating to shell-fish was enacted by the Genera Assembly of 1891, and being insufficient was amended b\ the Legislature of 1893. The principal provisions of th< original act were, viz.: 1. The total abolition of dredging. 2. The institution of culling laws. 3. The adoption of standard measures. 4. The institution of the Board of Shell-fish Com mis sioners. In order to carry out the provisions of this law witliou extra burdens upon the citizens of the State a license ta upon each boat engaged in taking oysters from the publi grounds was imposed and a tax of one cent per bushel ol all oysters caught from the public grounds. By this meaij $12,469.44 was made available for the Commission trot October 1, 1891, to December 7, 1892. (See Commissionj Lucas’s report). By an amendment in 1893 the individuj and boat license tax was abolished and tax on the bush was increased from one to two cents. No other provisic was made for revenue and the Commission was left to su governor’s message. 65 port itself from the revenue derived from these sources. From October 1, 1893, to October 1, 1894, the oyster year, $192.75 was realized to the oyster fund. The Commission has been powerless to enforce the law. Since October 1, 1893, there have been numerous violations of the law, which, though known to the Board, and could have been easily punished, yet it was impossible to prevent, as there were no funds with which to pay the expenses of running the patrol steamer. Dredging for oysters has been indulged in—in some cases openly and defiantly. Oysters have been taken to market out of the State without having been inspected and without the payment of the bushel tax. By far the most general infraction of the law has been by North Carolina oystermen in taking oysters from the public '■rounds without license. The steamer “Lillie,” bought for he purpose of a patrol boat, has been at her moorings for >ver two years. It has been impossible to use her for lack >f funds. In fact, the present oyster law is a failure. )ther States have succeeded in making just laws and ■stablishing a business from which the citizens derive reve- iue and employment. There is no market for our oysters iow, and immense raw material is wasted by being allowed o remain on the public rocks or grounds of the State mused. There are some good reasons why dredging should not e allowed (see report of Commissioner), but, taking a road view r of the situation, I am forced to the conclusion lat the recommendations made by the Board would prob- bly be a solution of the question, viz: The Board of Commissioners, realizing that there is vir- lally no oyster industry in the State to-day, and with the irnest desire to stimulate and promote such an industry, icommend the enactment of a dredging law with the Bowing restrictions and provisions: 5 COVERXOE’S MESSAGE. (36 1. It should be confined strictly to North Carolinians and permitted only in the deep waters of Pamlico Sound. 2. Pamlico Sound should be divided as nearly as possi hie into two equal sections, equal in respect to the acres o natural or public grounds, and dredging permitted ii alternate years upon one of these sections and prohibitec j upon the other, and no dredging allowed at any tim< within two miles of the shore line at any point. 3. All persons employed in work of an\ r descriptioi whatever on a boat engaged in or licensed to dredg' should be required to have license such as is now require* of tongmen. 4. Every boat before engaging in dredging should b required to take out a dredging license and pay therefor } tax, those under custom-house tonnage a specific amour per ton. This tax should be sufficiently large to raid i> ample revenue to strictly enforce the law and protect th State’s interest and that of the tongmen. 5. Authority should be vested in the Governor to su: , pend dredging by proclamation whenever and for as loui a time as he may deem it necessary. 6. There should be an appropriation from the Stat Treasury of a sum not less than five thousand dollars pd i annum to be used for the enforcement of the law, but t ^ be refunded to the Treasury from the money to be derive i from dredging tax and other sources. 7. The penalties for violation of the law should ll If severe and every violation should work a forfeiture ' i license and of the boat and apparatus used. These are the recommendations of the Board. I hearti indorse them, but do not recommend the enactment of tit law unless the provisions for carrying it out in the sha| of a five thousand dollar appropriation be made. To mat a law of this kind and expect it to support itself untru > GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 67 is nonsense. The above recommendations are wise and may perhaps result in establishing various industries in Eastern Carolina. If your honorable body do not see this question in the same light, I agree with the Commissioners that the Shell- ish Commission should be abolished, the patrol steamer sold and the proceeds be allowed to pay the indebtedness ncurred by the Commission. But bear in mind, however, hat when you do this you open the eastern sounds to the iyster pirates of Chesapeake Bay, and upon the honest planters of oysters who have obtained grants of lands rom the State you turn the worst element of oystermen, nd leave them to protect their own beds from these men, iVho have heretofore shown no regard whatever for the aws of the State. In 1891, Governor Fowle appointed Capt. Adam Warner associate Shell-fish Commissioner. A better, truer or more ighly respected man was never in the employ of the tate. He served the State faithfully until his death in larch, 1894. From the time of his service until Mr. lann was appointed Shell-fish Commissioner the State ved him for services as Captain of Patrol and Assistant lell-fish Commissioner and money paid out of his own nds for expenses of patrol_$2,369 60 lid by Mr. Lucas_ 1,380 00 dance due under Mr. Lucas’s administration--$ 989 60 fir the months of October, November, December, January, February, part of March_ 262 60 btal amount due Capt. Warner up to death, March 12, 1894_$1,252 20 i He often made application to the Chief Commissioner his salai’y, but no funds being in the treasury he could t be paid. His widow is now in need, and it is the plain 68 governor’s message. duty of the State to pay her this money, some of which was paid out of his own pocket for necessary running expenses. The vouchers, properly signed and indorsed bj Commissioners Lucas and Mann, are in my hands. I wil furnish them to you at any time. I hope that you wil appropriate the money for liquidating this debt at once so that the wants of his widow may be supplied out of ; salary more than justly earned for two years of service The State owes Mr. Mann, Chief Commissioner, balanc' on salary, $980, and Mr. Lucas, ex-Commissioner, balanc on salary, $158, making total debt $2,360, which s’houh be paid at once. QUARANTINE. The only quarantine station is at Southport, the mout] of the Cape Fear. The report of Dr. Curtis shows tha during the past two years most of the foreign ports wit which we have had commercial intercourse have bee healthy, and owing to the substitution of steam for sailin vessels, the greater part of the business being done by th former, the latter return in ballast, mostly from health European ports. The appropriation of $20,000 made b the last Legislature contingent upon an appropriation froi the city of Wilmington has not been used. I make r recommendation of changes in the present law, for I fe satisfied that the government will take the matter of qua antine of American ports under its supervision, ai thereby relieve the State of any additional expens Although the present system is inadequate for an cnu- gency, and consists in a very crude system of disinfectin', t still it is a protection and should be kept up until son better system is inaugurated. THE BOARD OF HEALTH. From the biennial report of the Secretary of the Sti" Board of Health J learn that in the past two years th governor’s message. 69 department of the State government has made marked progress in its beneficial work. I respectfully refer you to the report for details, but am satisfied that by the thorough distribution of the full and explicit “Instructions for Quar¬ antine and Disinfection” in contagious diseases, such as diphtheria and scarlet fever alone, many lives and a great amount of sickness and suffering, with the consequent loss of time and money, have been saved. In my opinion the very small amount appropriated by the State to this work of preventing the spread of disease among the people could not be expended to greater advantage. COLONIAL RECORDS. The long-cherished intention of the State to preserve and make accessible to the public its early records was to a large extent accomplished by the publication of ten quarto volumes under the supervision of the late Col. W. J. Saun¬ ders. By his death the work was stopped at the year 1776. The Board have, however, had the records as far as by dili¬ gence they could be recovered copied down to January 1, 1781, the date fixed by TheCode (section 3609). This matter is now nearly ready for the printer. The date, January 1, 1781, is an inconvenient one, being in the midst of the British campaign in this State and just prior to the battle )f Guilford. I recommend that publication of these archives )e authorized up to November, 1789, when the State entered he Federal Union, and that a general index of the whole vork he directed to be made. CONFEDERATE MONUMENT. The last Legislature patriotically appropriated the sum f $10,000 toward the erection of a monument to com- lemorate the deeds of our heroes who gave up their lives i defense of the State. This fund has been turned over 70 governor’s message. to the Confederate Monumental Association, who are now engaged in erecting the structure upon the Capitol Square, with the prospect of an early completion. DIRECT LAND TAX. Of the funds returned by the United States Government for distribution among our citizens who paid the Direct Land Tax there remains $24,000 in North Carolina four per cent, bonds, worth to-day _ $ 24,480 00 Cash in Citizens National Bank _ 3,508 39 Loaned to the State by act of Assembly, World’s Fair _ J ___ 25,000 00 Balance principal _ $52,988 39 The expense attending the distribution of this fund has been defrayed from the accruing interest, of which there is at present a balance to the credit of expense account deposited in Raleigh Savings Bank of $1,998.48. A MONUMENT TO SENATOR VANCE. 1 cannot close this message without calling to your atten-l tiou that during the past year the State has been deprived labors in the L T nited States Senate in behalf of the people’s j rights had gradually impaired his health until nature was forced to succumb. As soon as possible after his death was announced tin Council of State met and, thinking it proper that one sL distinguished and beloved by the people of North Carolin; should receive from the State all reverence and respect requested that his remains might be brought to the capi tal, lie in state and be buried where he was thrice inaugnl j rated Governor. GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. 71 In accordance with this request his body was permitted to lie in state in the Capitol for a few hours and was then conveyed to Asheville, where he requested to be buried. The State officers and many prominent citizens accom¬ panied the remains. Senator Vance’s life was known and read among all , classes in this State, and the acts of his public life form a part of its history. His wise counsel and able statesman- Lship will long be cherished and his memory beloved by the people of North Carolina. I would recommend to your honorable body that suitable resolutions commemorative i )f his services be adopted and that you cause to be erected i monument to his memory as a tribute of love from his joeople. CONCLUSION. In a message of such length, embracing so many sub- eets of importance, it is impossible to enter much into S letails of any particular subject. If, however, you desire ny further information it will be my pleasure to furnish on as far as possible. The record of the past two years >; before you, and the officers of the Executive branch of le government take pride in placing before you reports so implete with statements which show conclusively the wis- :>m of the administration. The past history of a clean, successful State government, ee from reckless expenditures, honest and economical in [ministration, is behind } T ou, a part of the record of the • trty who now turns over to you the future administration the State, so far as it pertains to legislation. Believing at you have the best interest of your State at heart, I hst that you will be wise, judicious and careful in your (actments and economical in expenditures. I do not luncil that economy which amounts to rendering useless 72 GOVERNOR S MESSAGE. anv institution now in existence, and hope that they will receive your careful investigation and liberal appropria¬ tions. I trust, gentlemen of the General Assembly, that your stay in the capital city may be pleasant and your term of office such as will add still greater prosperity and happi¬ ness to a free, independent and liberty-loving people. ELIAS CARR, Governor of North Carolina . \ ♦