Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-11-25
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


eraI Assembly fit occasion is presented LOT coA
graduating its members upon the blessings VII" &c
Kind Providence has bestowed upon the People y.
the State, and especially upon their exeS oaom;-
considerable extent from the diseases ana caalhl-
ties which have visited other States ana Na'ioi:,
with such sad and devastating consequence. &c
also subject of congratulatlon that tue spun -
nroeress and improvement, which, at Presenc, am
mates our people, presents DrISn' PiooPe 0
destiny of our beloved State. -,
AnricnItnre in North Carolina, has undergone an
important improvement which mas lncTeaseo I Ia
reward of the husbandman and impaired an auu ne
tional interest to this great pursuit; the amount VI
crime committed, it is believed, Will compare ' -
ABLY with that Of any other State; the laws nav
been executed as faithfully, and justice @
impartially as in any other country the aitn se
State has been scrupulously preserved, and neI
credit stands deservedly high, both at home ana
abroad. improvements are beng exten9eq W q:
ford the Farmer and Mechanic cheap anu eAPe
tious mode of transportation for the surplus
of their labor and for the supplies they are toA
ceiye in return University, OF the hlghest rams
aided by numerous Colleges and Academies OF d
high order; and system OF common oce eo4'
which will soon be second to that OF no otner S'e
are rapidly extending the facilities OF mental I'M
movement to every class of our citizens; the UeO-
logical examinations are almost daily disclosing val
liable additions to the nexhaustloie mineral wea'n
Of the State; and added to all these, we nave d
populaton that is unsurpassed in the essential eie
ments of true greatness. But notwithstanding TINS
gratifying condition of things, there are many SUD-
iects intimately connected with the welfare ana PROS
perity of the people of the State, winch require Io
action of the General Assembly. %.
In a government like ours, where the voice OF the
people, to great extent controls puoilc measures,
Education is not only subject IN when every gooa
citizen feels deep interest, but It becomes one Vi
great public Importance and demands the fostering
care of the State Hence that clause in the Constr
tuition which declares
"That school or schools shall! be estaohsneu oy
the LEGISLATURE for the convenient instruction OF
youth with such salaries to the masters PAID oy the
public as NAV enable them to instruct at low prices
and ali notwithstanding shall be duly encouraged ana
promoted in one or more universities.
The University of the State is in successful opera,
ton sustaining the high reputation 1t has long ana
deservedly enjoyed and, at each Commencement,
sends forth number of Graduates to engage In the
various pursuits of life. This institution is every
year educating gratuitousy, no lnconslderaole num-
Der of mertorious young gentlemen, who have not
the means for that purpose. 1t Woulo pe ulinc.h'
to estimate the beneficial influences the University
has exerted in North Carolina and IN other States
of the Union.
Our Common Schools have been in operation but
for a comparatively short period, and are progress
sing as well, perhaps as we have right to expec',
when we consider the many difficulties that have to
be encountered in the commencement OF sucn Sys-
tenn There are doubtless still many defects In the
management of these Schools, which time and ex-
perience will enable US to correct. The SYSTEM now
ever is doing incalculabe good and its benehclai
influence will be strikingfy obvious TO the
generation which succeeds us. There is no subject
more worthy of favorable consideration than Com
mon Schools The greatness of a State depends up
on her people. In a few years. those VINO now ol-
rect public affairs will pass from the state OF actfoQ,
and the welfare and destiny of the State and the
Repablic will be committed to the charge OF new
generation. Ithal generation Shall be found want
ing in wisdom and vrture what is to be the fate OF
the of greatness erected Its ancestors
The education of the masses of the people is the
best security for the rights of persons and Of pro-
perry and in free government, where intelligence
and virtue are the true passports to fame and dis
tincton, it places the poor and obscure upon an
equality with the rich and powerful, and will prove
the best means of perpetuating the blessings OF
liberty.
During the last year, there distributed from
the Literary Fund, for Common Schools in the va
rious counties of the State, the sum of one hundred
and twenty-eight thousand one hundred and two
dollars, fourteen cents, ($128, 102 1916 and during
the present year, the sum of one hundred and egh-
ty thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars, eight
cents, ($180, $50 0S) has been distributed for the
object. 1t is believed that nearly the same
amount has been collected by taxation in the coun
ties, for the support of Common Schools.
The report of the General Superintendent of Com
mon Scoools, for the past year, gives account,
in DETAIL of the labors and observations of that Off
SER 1t states many gratifying facts, and presents
various suggestions in regard to the improvement of
the schools. 1t is herewith transmitted His report
for the present year will be communicated in due
time.
1t is desirable that the principal of the Literary
Fund should be increased to permanently secure
large distribution for the support of Common Schools
The Swamp Lands uncertain source of in
come, and their successful management requires
degree of personal attention, that it would be
tremely inconvenient for the Executive to bestow
The titles of large tracts of the land in dispute
and it is believed, that respasses materially impair
ing their value have been committed on them, for
years When counsel are instructed to bring suits,
a difficulty arises in procuring the information ne
cessary to their successful prosecution. The lands
in many instances are inaccessible, except to per-
sons who have experience in their exploration.
Further legislation is necessary to protect the pub
lie interest in these lands. 1t is believed that pub
lie policy demands that provision should be made
for the appointment ofan efficient Agent to be paid
reasonable salary, whose duty it should be, under
the instructions of the Literary Board, to procure
facts to enable the Board to protect its interest in
the Swamp Lands.
The Institution for the education of the Deaf and
Dumb and Blind, is in successful operation and af-
ords grae facilities for imparting to these unfortun
ate classes of population, who by the knowl-
edge they receive prepared to become intelligent
and useful members of society. The Institution is
under the management of Board of Directors who
perform good deal of labor without receiving any
compensation respectfully recommend that pro- .
vision be made to pay the members of Board, rea-
sonable for their services, and that the Execu-
tive some other State officer, be associated with
the Board in the management of the institution.
The President and Directors of the Literary Fund
will in due time submit Report, showing the con-
dtion of the Fund and the proceedings of the Board
in relation to other subjects committed to their
Under the existing provisions of the Constitution
of this State, freehold of fifty of land is
of the indispensable qualifications required of vo-
ter for Senator of the General Assembly. This
requirement is unjust, and ought to be removed
The question of Free Suffrage has been much dis
cussed, and its Importance has become so well I'M
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