Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-11-22

Ders, tney nave been lost. Many of them were I'M
bound and poorly printed on bad paper. sug
gest the expedidncy of re-printing new editions O.
them.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
learn from the Librarian that he viii seon re-
quire more space for the reception of books. Be-
sides the annual addition of literary, historical and
scientific works being made under the law appro-
priatng five hundred dollars (S5O0) year for the
increase of the public library, We are continually
receiving large accessions by interchanges
with the States and the National government
Additional space should be provided for them. As
to how this may be best effected, have no spe-
cific recommendation to submit. The old arsenal
building, at an uncomfortable expense, (now en-
tirely useless,) might be made available for some
public purpose.
GOVERNORS MANSION.
call your attention to the condition of the
buildings and grounds, provided by law as the re-
sidence of the Governor They have been occu-
pied as the headquarters of the Military Com
mandant of the State, since the capture of this
city by General Shermans army, in April 1865
The fencing has been removed, the garden, fruit
trees and shrubbery are exposed to stock, some
of the ornamental trees cut down, and the build
ings damaged and defaced. l have not asked to
occupy these buildings. They require essential
repairs to make them suitable residence, and
nearly all the furniture has been lost or destroyed
and no appropriation has been made to repair and
refurnlsh the premises.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
On entering upon the discharge of my official
duties, found that the standards of weights and
measures, belong to the State, were missing
Many counties which had lost part, or all of their
standards of weights and measures, heretofore
supplied by the State, were applying for ones.
On application to the Secretary OF the Treasury a
new supply sent and, in the meantime, l adj
dressed circular to the Chairman Of each County
Court in the State, to ascertain what measures it
would be my duty to provide for them, under the
provisions of chapter H. Revised Code.
!cOuld not contract, with discretion for the
manufacture of these measures until knew the
whole number to be supplied. Very many of the
Chairmen did not respond. / sent second circu-
lar to the County Court Clerks, and have now an
answer from nearly all of them. I respectfully
submit that the details of this duty ought not to
be imposed on the Governor, but that he should be
authorized to employ and pay a suitable agent to
attend to it. l refer you to letter on this sub
ject from Prof. A. D. Bache, which accompanies
this message.
MILITIA.
A well regulated militia is essential to the adj
of the State Government, as well as
to the discharge of her duties as a member of the
Union. At the beginning of my administration
total disorg of the militia existed. Under
the act of the General Assembly, passed the 18th
day of March last, l appointed John A. Gilmer,
Jr., Adjutant General with instructions to carry
out the provisions of said act. The duties to be
performed were twenty times greater than they
were before the Nearly five thousand officers
had to be elected, commissioned, and qualified
proper records to be kept-a correspondence
to be conducted with every county III the State,
and innumerable other difficulties to be over
come. The salary allowed to this officer, when
the services were comparatively light was two
hundred dollars ($200) year. This was not al
tered by the act of last March Believing that this
was an oversight, and that you wOnld make him
adequate comp ensatiOn, he entered jealousy upon
the discharge of his duties. l herewith submit
his report, and commend it to your careful cOnsid-
Grafton.
AUDITOR AND COMPTROLLER.
BY an act of the General Assembly these offices
were consolidated, and no clerk allowed The duty
of auditing claims, imposed on this officer, his
decisions being final, and subject to no superv1s-
ion, requires an officer of tirmness and capacity
and the extensive bookkeeping, and methodical
of the papers pertaining to his du-
ties Auditor and Comptroller, require much la
labor. recommend an inquiry whether judicious
does not require al increase of salary
and the aid of clerk.
COURTS OF OYER AND TERMINER.
l have considered it my duty, in few instances,
under existing laws, to designate Judges to hold
courts Of Oyer and Terminer but after full inquiry
and careful examination Of the laws, am in doubt
as to what is the Legislative will in reference to
the compensation of Judge for such special SER
vice. ask such action on your part shall lie ave
no ground for doubt.
REPAIRS OF THE STATE HOUSE
Under the provisions of the resolution passed by the
General Assembly, in March last authorizing the Gov
make needfu repairs on the State House, and
under the powers conferred upon the Governor, Secre
ary State Public Treasurer and Comptroller by Chap
O3 of the Revised Code we have caused such repairs
be made the Capitol and such additional furniture
supplied to Halls and Offices deemed necessa-
ry and the Governor and Public Treasurer in obedience
to resolution OF the Convention of the 2Oh day of
june 1866 have had the necessary gas fixtures put up
for the lighting of the Halls and rooms OF the Capitol
We have executed these duties with as much economy
as possible.
HLLSBORO' MILITARY ACADEMY.
| have received communication from Gen. R. E.
COlstOn, Superintendent of the HillsbOrO Academy,
which accompanies this message generously Offering
gratutously scholarship i'll his Academy to one
young man from each Congressional district in the
State and one scholarship to young man from the
State large to he designated 10y the Governor. The
Institution asks peCunIary aid from the State. Poor
young men will be unable avail themselves of this Op
porunity acquire scientific ana military eduCatiOn
in this distinguished Seminary OF learning, without aid
to pay their board submit this subject you the
hope that may be able to offer some aid encOur
agement to this generous design.
ASYLUM FOR DEAF MUTES AND THE BLIND.
1t should be matter of just pride that in spite Of the
eXhausting drafts of the and its impOverishing
SUITS the State has ceased to for the unhap
Ply inmates of her Asylums and that both still per
forming their works Of benecience. The reports of the
President, Directors, Principal, Auditor and Treasurer
of our Asylum for deafmuteS and the blind which L
herewith transmit to YOU exhibit this Institution as
steadily executing with undimnShed VgOr, the benev
Olent purposes for which it created. l commend
their reports to your careful consideration.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
As President of the Boards of Literature and of Inter-
nal Improvements, l shall submit to you additional
matters committed to the charge of these boards.
FINANCES, CURRENCY, &c.
| have not commented on Finances the eXpedi-
cncy Of establishing Banks other means of supply
ing currency and relieving the debtor classes of our
people, because my administrative duties have so fully
engrOSsed my tmIe that have been unable to mature
any plans on these subjects, which could confidently
proper to he adopted. AS to our Fl
nanceS have nothing to add to the suggestions of the
Public Treasurer. which endorse.
For the large number of persons, reduced from aftlu
ence poverty, without fault of theirs, and still Op
pressed with debt and the still larger class who still
have moderate competency, but beset to find the
means of supplying theirndspensable wants, and meet
ing the neXhOrable demands of the taX-cOccOr 1eel
the most profound sympathy but fear you can do
little for their relief they should place their great rel
upon individual industry and economy and SODrl
ety. and arrangements and compromises between debt
or and creditor, and expect little from government
beyond the protection of their rights.
Tie mutual interests of debtor and creditor generally
Indicate the proper basis of settlement. In the case OF
" SylOCk creditor the existing law furnishes the debt
or with remedy by deed OF trust and otherwise, LOT
bringing the rigorous creditor to TERMS by pre1errng
the more lenient The peculiar circumstances Oh
each case will indicate the best adjustment between
debtor and creditor. The wholesome provision OF the
Constitution OF the United States which OrbldS State
to pass any law mparng the obligation OF contract
stltutional obligations, and i'll the end the State and
individuals will reap the reward which always follows
SteadiaSj adherence to duty Let us act that mere
alter, heretofore our hearts may swell With prlde at
the mention of the good old North State"
There Is much to occasion the gloom prevailing
throughout the State. Ii has been exhibited III various
ways. The growing indifference of our people, In all
the elections which have lately occurred Is greatly to be
uepioreo Let lis never despair OF the Republic our
inle hohored aXOm " that all political power IS vested
H. anu derived from the people only will have become
an upIohtaoe declaration of principle, when the peO-
pie Sl cease to take interest elections There Is
Ic Ill inc review ol the recent past to forbid despon-