The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-12-05

T0fhe Honorable, the General Assembly of Norh
Carolina.
(Copciuded) tA.
The number dependent for subsistence
on public charity is vastly greater than il
ever was IN any past period Of our history.
A benevolent feature of the Freedmen's
Bureau was the issuing Of rations to in
digent blacks. This. understand, will be,
or has been discontinued. Large numbers
of them, too old or in6rm TO labor, and a
still larger number Of children too young
90 labor, and without parents, or with pa
rents not providing for them. must be cared
for. In addition 10 these is the large mum.
Der made dependent by the loss or ,hs
manning Of their fathers 10 the late war. As
10 the number of these last | cannot fur
nish the statistics. contemplated by the
resolution Of the General Assembly Of the
tenth Of March last, the chairman of the
County Courts Of some three or four coun-
ties only. having sent me any returns, and
these do not profess 10 be full and accurate.
The pauper negroes, formerly supported by
the master, must now 20 TO the poor houses
| recommend revision OF the poor laws
am not prepared 10 suggest any specific
alterations VI them. bur hope your wisdom
may be able 10 devise some plan OF light
enIng the heavy burthen which the proper
care Of the poor must soon impose upon US.
| recommend revision Of our laws in
relation 10 apprenticeship. The future we'll
being Of the State depends much upon the
manner in which our children and youth are
brought up, Great numbers Of the rising
generation, white aud black, are growing
up without proper training in the habits Of
steady industry essential TO make them,
moral and useful citizens. Some of these
children, having no father 10 guide them /;
many Of them. On the language oione Of our
statutes, when the parents with whom such
children may live. do not habituaily employ
their time IN some honest, industrious 0c-
cupation." But to attain the proper ends
Of apprenticeshlp, no pains should be spar.
ell 10 selecting the masters to whom the
tutelage OF such children Is committed. In
this. | think the administration oi our laws
requires amendment. When a child is TO
be bound apprentice, lear that our coun-
try Courts, to which this duty is coniided,
and which are expected TO act in loco pa
RENTS. often neglect TO look properly TO the
fitness Of the master to bring up the child.
Now when the welfare OF the State requires
the exercise OF this power much more ex-
tensi,ely than formerly, il is well 10 in.
quire whether something may not be done
for the better protection and rearing Of this
class. In practice. fear.lhat the eminent-
ly wise and beuefcent provision OF our
Statutes, Rev. Code. .,Ghap. 81. Sec. Is, has
not been sufficient observed. Itrequlres
the Grand Jury Of every county annually,
a. the orphan's court. 70 present 20 the
Court, IN writing, the names Of all orphan
children within their county, that have no,
guardians, 1t not bound out TO some trade
or employment aud also all abuses, mis-
management and neglect oi such guardians
as are appointed by the court Of iheir coun-
~. recommend that the provisions Of thls
section be enlarged 80 a. 10 embrace all
children whom you may declare iii subject.
OF apprenticeshlps, and that the Jury repor,
at every term of the court. and that il be
made the duty Of the county attorney, d,
each term. 10 give the act in charge TO the
Grand Jury. suggest further that IL woul,
tend much TO the security and proper car,
81 apprentices. II il we're made. the speria
duty OF the county solicitor TO attend I,
the binding Of each apprentice, and attest
the indentaies. with power 10 every cas-,
where he may deem il expedient, to carr,
the case by appeal to the Superior Court
and that proper provision be made for hi
compensation for this service.
! have received from Thos. p. Devereux
Esq. an aged citizen. distinguished for hi,
intelligence, and long The owner aud mana
ger Of large number Of slaves, a letter OF
this subject, presenting many views an,