Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1895-03-21
WHAT REFORM" HAS DONE
FOR THE PEOPLE.
Charlotte Observer.

Charlotte Observer.
The PROGRESSIVE Farmer, organ OF the
State Alliance and one of the chief
shriekers of reform had this edito-
rial in the early days of the session of
the Legislature:
We have published platforms and
editorials showing what the people
want, time and again. Below are some
of the changes wanted, and the atten-
ton of our legislators, regardless of
party, is again called thereto
First. A new and honest election
law.
Second. A 6 per cent. interest law,
with sufficient penalties and no loop
holes.
Third. At least. four Months free
schools for both races annually.
Fourth. Effective antitrust laws and
solicitors and judges who will see that
they are enforced.
Fifth. A State reformatory for the
reformation of youthful criminals.
Sixth. A complete change in the pre-
sent county government system-either
repeal or radical modification.
Seventh. Steps to wipe out the in
famous homestead law, the father of
the diabolical chattel mortgage sys-
tenn and a complete business n credit
demoralizer.
Eighth. Either repeal or enforce the
present State income tax law.
Ninth. Appoint a code commission
with enough common sense and legal
honesty combined to simplify and shor-
ten The Code so ordinary minds can
understand it. By so doing the Su-
preme Court will not split into W or
three factions, for there will be fewer
knotty cases to decide.
Tenth. Reduce expenses, lop off fees
wherever practicable, and follow the
golden rule in everything. The gentle
men who forget to carry out the wishes
of the people will be requested to keep
off the grass hereafter.
Beginning at the end, we have
to remark that 1.-The gentlemen"
who composed the late Legisla-
ture certainly did forget to
carry out the wishes of the peo-
ple," and, unless these have lost
their senses, "aUiU be requested
to keep off the grass hereafter. .
Now, let US see how things
have gone, even judged by the
reform" standard:
~ We have a ''new" election
law; whether it shall prove to be
an ''honest" one, time will dis
close. (2) A 6 per cent, interest
law has been enacted; whether
there are loop-holes in it, and
whether 1t will do the State more
good than harm, we shall find
out hereafter. 81 The school
tax has been increased 2 cents,
and as an offset to whatever
good might have been accomp-
lished by this increase, the head
of the system in every county
has been destroyed-county
superintendent and boards of
education abolished-and the
schools left to drift about with
out a hand to direct them. az
Nc new antitrust laws were en-
acted nor any amendments made
to those already in force. 81 A
State reformatory has been pro
vided for at an expense of $685.
600 a year to begin with and
SO, 900 a year thereafter for sup
port-this statement upon the
authority of the Caucasian,
though our own reading led to
the understanding that the re-
formatory bill had failed. (6) You
have your ''change in the pres
ent system of county govern
ment," though it lacks much OF
being complete" seeing that
the Legislature is still %electing
magistrates, but such as it is we
dare prophesy that you will be
sick enough of it before you are
through with 1T. 60 1.-The in
famous homestead law" no.
wiped out nor amended in any
particular. ~ The present State
income tax law" not repealed mol
any additional provision made
for its enforcement. (9) No code
commission, with Oh without
common sense, appointed. 90.
No expenses reduced, no fees
Topped off, no golden rule OBJ
served.
Then the Progressive Farmers
files ten demands, and it will
claim that three OF them have
been answered.: election law,
per cant. interest law, county
government law. It may turr
out that provision vas made fol
a reformatory, and that Is, cents
school tax, against Is cents now
will give four months schools
though we don't believe it, no.
do we believe that four months
of so-called schools under the
new system, without any one tt
give direction to them, would b.
as efficient as the two and a hal.
or three months schools are now
The Progressive Farmer can make
no sort of claim that its othe.
five demands" have been me
or that there was any sort of eff
fort to meet them, and it should
upon it's own showing, turn il
and help US and all other goo'
citizens to keep this gang off thu
grass hereafter.
There was no pretence at do
ing five of the ten things tina
this organ of reform" declare'
to be necessary legislation, but i
it will give us it's ear for a nom
ent we will call it's attention t.
some things that were done tina
it did not ask for:
The State tax was increased
for general purposes from % t
"a cents; for all purposes fror
An cents to 455 cents-a total o