The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-01-21

Owing to the unusual length Of the
document the GOLD LEAF can,fo;
print Gov. Carr's message to the Leg
islature in full. Below we give the
principal features, however, ds COM
piled by the Charlotte OJser0er::
Reminding the Legislature tha the
Governors duties are executive only,
and that the upholdlng of the States
credit, her pride and honor and the
care of her institutions devolves upon
the General Assembly, His EXcellency
continues:
The people have entrusted this sa-
cred work to you. For the first time
ip twenty years the interests of the
State in all its branches have been de
livered into the hands of a different
political party. The measures which
you may deem wise may be opposed 10
the policy heretofore pursued, and in
making changes, | caution you to con-
slider carefully and we'll such changes
as pertain to the institutions Of the
State, for the people will hold you re-
sponsible for the success or failure Of
such measures. Feeling assured that
you have the interests OF your State at
heart, l submit for your consideration
brief observations made from the differ
ent reports furnished me by the State
officers.
He refers to the report Of the SeCre
tary Of State, showing that this de-
partment has collected and paid into
the Treasury-presumably for the ben-
NAL period-SI2o, o,9So.06, ga sum
sufficient to defray the expenses of the
Executive Department more than five
times" This source of revenue, it is
pointed out, is not a burden upon the
citizen.
The special tax bond cases-Baltzer
VS.. the State and Baltzer and Taake
VS.. the State-have been decided, the
Supreme Court of the United States
sustaining the Supreme Court of North
Carolina, which had decided in favor
OF the State The cases involved SI2,-
100000 aud the question fthe State S
liability for the bonds issued by the
| reconstruction convention of 1868
and the Legislature which succeeded d
| it is settled for all time in the State S
favor.
The Treasurer's report is discussed
A summary of this report has already
been printed and this need not be re-
peated. The Governor concurs with
the Treasurer that the surplus Of dlvl-
dends received on the States stock in
the North Carolina Railroad should
not be turned into the general fund +,
as has been the custom, but be held
sacredly, as the law provides, tor the
payment of interest and the establish
| ment OF sinking fund. Approval is
also given another suggestion Of the
Treasurer that the guarantee and Sc
| curity companies doing business in
| the State be required to deposit collat-
| erial to protect the State and to re-
| linquish their right to move cases TO
the Federal Courts.
| Under the act to ''compromise
commute and settle the State debt,
S3,30O,7oo 4 per cent. new bonds
| have been issued in exchange tor the
old valid debts of the State. 1t will
require S225,o7o more 4 per cent.
bonds to take up the remainder Of the
Old bonds outstanding, making the
whole possible debl S3,615,77o, bear
ing per cent. interest. The State
owns as an investment S136,75o o
| these bonds, and the board of eduCa
ton S143,25o and also per cent. con
struction bonds, upon which interes
[ is paid out OF the North Carolina Rail
road dividends, amounts to S2,72o,
! 900.
There remains of the direct lanC
TAX fund SI,o99.64, which is held il
trus. by the Governor and which vii
become the property OF the Stat
| March 2, 1897, unless in the meantlm
! called for.
The aggregate value of all the re1
and personal property OF the Stale rc
turned for taxation Is s757,+57,227.9'
"a decrease in two years OF S2,I27,
722.oo. The total amount of all take
collected in the State last year was So,
I57o, ,36o.97-a per capita Of sI.46, IS
,imasing the population at I,76o,ooo
The white people pay 96. "a per cent
of the taxes o: the State and the col
ored people $50 per cent.
The Governor cordially approve
the pension tax and advises ,ha. It b
increased.
/, 1t is recommended that some Sic
be taken for supplying the place Of
Judge becoming sick, insane or otheI
wise disabled.
The State Guard is warmly con
mended. 1t IS better equipped an
more efficient than ever before. 1t ";
called out seven times last year. III
Governor continues:
The appropriation for their suppo
: should be sufficient in addition
: what is furnished by the national 60
t eminent, to adequately pro:ide f
their necessary equipment. pay Il
; rem. of their armorIes, give them SUI
field instruction as recommended
the Adjuiant General, and pay the
for their services when in actual seIvl
! per diem sufficient at least to seCu
/ them from pecuniary loss while
2 such duty. This is as little As could
asked at Jour hands.