The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1893-01-19

establish their geological survey. This de-
paHment had been practically abandoned for
years, Out let US hope that in the future il
may receive that care and attention from the
STATE that the interests of the people seem to
require.
RAILROAD COMMISSION
A Railroad Commission was established by
the last General Assembly. The high char
aeter OF the three gentlemen composing this
commission was, from the first, guarantee OF
Its success. There are some people whose
prejudice will not permit them TO do justice
to eorporation-especiallya railroad Tha,
may largely be attributed to ignorance. There
rights never claimed BY individuals, such as
exemption from taxation. This is greed and
selh>hness. Bat we are to be congratulated
thst these two classes are in a small minority
in North Carolina today The commission in l,>
wisdom and justice has increased the assess
ment of railroad property nearly IS 900, 700
making the total assessment now OF about
$40, 900 900. showing a total increase OF
taxes for all purposes Of SIS 900. Before the
establishment of the commission Pullman
cars and steamboats were not taxed .,ov
they are assessed at $500. 900. While Z ex-
hibits an increase in revenue, there is cor
responding decrease in passenger rates
amounting to $500, ,oOo per annum and sele-
graph rates have been reduced At least 90
per cent. The commission reports many COM
plants. nearly all Of which have been amica.
bly, adjusted. Looking into the Wilmington
and Weldons claims TO exemption from taxa,
ton under charter, after a thorough invss,i-
Cation, arrived At the conclusion that the
exemption clause did not extend 10 the branch
lines and they nave been sustained in this.
both by our ow2 and the Supreme Court OF
the United States. While in the Infancy OF
railroads in North Carolina good reasons
might have been given for exemption. the
same conditions do not exist to-day. All such
roads as belong in part to the State should
set the example of surrendering any exemption
such road may enjoy. No species of prop
erty should be exempt from taxation save
that devoted to religious. charitable or strictly
educational purposes.
EDUCATION.
Your venerable Slate University. waxing
strong once more. deserves and know will
always command your fostering care Re
garding the State University As the head OF
our school system. and the colleges and high
schools as its great coadjustors. there ever
should be. hearty cooperation between those
engaged in the great vork of teaching in
these, and those engaged as teachers Of cur
common schools. While we IS makers, o,
ministers. Of the law should do all in cur
power to build up and make more useful our
university, colleges and high schools, ye,
our mos, earnest solicitude and help shoul d
go out to the common schools OF our Stale
for it is in these that the children of the great
masses Of our ,oiling. laboring
wealth-producing people must be educated
and trained preparatory TO their life work OF
not Al all, 1t is the imperative duty of ;ht
State to provide school facilities for these
children and we can never be said TO have
done our duty to these children until we have
complied with the spirit of our constitution
which commands that a school term of a
! least four months in the year be provided 70
them. Thirteen weeks. the time now pro
vided, will no. do and we are trihng witt
| the most vital interest Of the State IN longe
neglecting to come up to the full measure o
| our duty In this matter. If, upon deliberai,
consideration. it should be found. in view 0
+, a recent decision Of our Supreme Court, ,ha
another provision Of our constitution stand
in the way Of our levying sufficient tax t.
carry on these schools Of the people fou
! months in the year. then l advise that a
| amendment 10 the Constitution be submiite
10 the people TO take the school tax out o
the constitutional limitation. These school
l regard as necessity to the children of th
men and women engaged IN farm life. Th
children OF our people in cities and town
are well provided for. as general rule, b
the graded schools and they enjoy privilege
in educational matters which children Twin
in the country do not have. An eficien
common school system is the only hope {
our people for an intelligent. thrifty. labor
ing population upon our farms and l urg
with all the earnestness l can command, tha
our lawmakers shall no, neglect this lmp-ra
tive duty resting upon them.
PUBLIC ROADS,
Until recently have never been in a POS
ton to realize the deplorabe condition of th
public roads of the State. The present sys
tenn is q failure and the reads disgrace
| civilization. But in view of the fact that
road congress is TO assemble soon TO discu:
this most important matter shall after i,
adlournmen, transmit to your honorable bod
special message upon this subject.
The listing. assessing, equalizing and CO
lee,ing taxes is subject fraught wi,
great vexation to all governments an
is to-day but little nearer perfe,
ton than with the village commun
ties Of the early Aryans. There are countie
in the State that raise and collect twice
much tax for local purposes as others hi
pay more State tax. This comes from an vi
equal assessment. supplemented in one ca
by special tax for local purposes-the Sta
OF course being the sufferer. l would su,
gest the formation Of commission similar
that created by the legislature of 1855 lool
ing to proper adjustment Of this g,eat il
; equality The owner of farm. factory
work shop, who pays full taxes upon h
; property cannot have bosom filled Wi
patriotism for government who permits
neighbor, the possesor of stocks, bonds ar
solvent credits. to go untaxed. Solve th
! problem and your names will go down 10 pc
teri,y as the benefactors Of the human rae
AsYLUMs.
Our most excellent, the retiring Governo
has called your attention to the needs of o
, charitable institutions and homes for the u
fortunate. His recommendations meet WI
!, my most hearty approval. provision y'
could make. looking TO the care and comic
of these unfortunates, could be beyond ths
deserts.
!. STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
Convinced as am of the value Of the wo
OF the State Board of Health and the mmine
. danger our State is in from threatened i
: vasion OF that dreaded disease, Asia
; cholera, l would suggest that in addition
r the now necessary appropriation. an add
: ional fund be provided to meet such
: emergency. THIS. in my opinion, is an il
: portan, matter and must have your attenti
Y prior to your adjournment.
STATE GUARD.
desire to call your attention to the stro
right arm OF the executive branch of the 81:
:. government-the State Guard. While /
:, civil law should always be paramount. I
D., people Of North Carolina have in peace a
=, IN war, shown them selves the earnest adv
=. Gates Of the supremacy Of the civil la
yet. experience teaches US that it
;, sometimes useful to have a military orgs
;, ization ready at hand to assist The officers
:. the law in enforcing obedience to the cl
=. authorities in times of popular disturbanc
: The State Guard is such an organizatIt
- and in my opinion has served most use
purpose in the State, and l earnestly adv
:. that nothing be done to discourage the pal