Moore explained that ECU has nothing to do with the purchasing of a property. The University authorizes the State to purchase it. The State men aren t humanless robots. They ve got a job to do and they are trying to do it as humanly as possible, he said. The law of eminent domain protects the State s rights to take private property for public use.
Eminent domain is the prerogative of a sovereign state.
It is limited by the payment of just compensation for the condemned property, according to North Carolina law. Mrs. Currin said, however, that the State is not offering her just compensation for her house. It is in good condition and sits on a 90-foot lot, she said. After all, it s the land they want, not the house, she pointed out. Currin said the State has paid more for houses on smaller lots.