The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-01-21
by. RUSSELL'S
| INAUGURAL
| ADDRESS.

Eas!erly Speech Delivered Be-
ore the General Assembly
aud Public in the Capitol.
SAILS THE SO YEAR LEASE
Adyocatss Government Control of
DIrosds Strongly Condemns Lynch
and Mob Law Urges Increased
naion for the Confederate Soldiers
state Aid to Higher Education Up
h MunioipsIitiss Not to bs Ruled by
Prop rtyIsss or IgnoraDt.
p,, NJ N, Sgon'r ood H"'ns' rjI
r, .u'1i,,'s
ere is retribution in history.
restoration Of the people of
Carolina 10 their constitu-
rights Of free and honest
\ and OF popular government
Id give courage and hope to the
nnchised men of nonsuffrage
b.. So long as civilization and
stiauity endure there is always
bnabIe hope for the ultimate
uVAtiOn Of error enthroned; for
Redemption Of the weak and the
ressed; for the overthrow Of ap-
ently lnvlncible wrong. If they
wait an hour, there is no human
Ter which can evade the patient
(ch, the vigil long of the brave
seek to assail the entren ched
Elements of prevailing privilege
lawless power. Through long
} weary years free born Am6ri-
hs have suffered and endured for
sake of their convictions civil
u political disabilities that were
ne the less remorselcss and cruel
pause they were not expressed In
Sitten law. Men whose careers
'd characters should elevate their
nmunities have been under the
b of political persecution and de-
ID their constitutional rights while
selling by the fire side and the
aves of their fathers. Today we
De thanks to the God of nature and
nations and to his Providence
ich shapes our ends, for the glo-
BIS fact that North Carolina has
lared for freedom of thought, of
och and of action; for liberation
respect for the opinions of all
for liberty, regulated by Just
equal laws.
There are many matters OF do
)stic concern which demand your
bughtful attention, such ss the
Acrease of the tax rate for the COM
mon schools and improvements in
their management; the establish
ment of reformatories for youthful
criminals; the adoption of n system
bf vagrant laws which, without
cruelty or injustice, shall authorize
the arrest and commitment of the
homeless young and of the vaga-
bonds and vagrants of the streets
end highways; the adoption of
, system of apprenticeship by which
\ he neglected young may be taken
from degrad alton and subj ected TO
pseful and tlevating control, the
Protection of lawful and public
Geetings against disturbances; the
Investigation of the conduct of
Judges charged with drunkenness on
he bench; the extention of the Grim
hal court districts so as to embra CO
hore counties and the establishment
bf an additional criminal district
Ind the rotation of these judges;
Ind the adoption of measures caltu
ated to attact the immigration OF
Desirable persons in the State.
ELECTION LAW COMMENDED.
BY the election law of 1895 We
we're rescued from the disgrace, deg
|adation and shame of debaucheC
Dallot and from the methods tina
would have resulted in the perma
bent failure of free government ant
would have degraded US to the leve
II the riot-ridden Demo era cies o1
entral and South America bu
pr the fact that our people rose il
pvolt against them and their au
hors, drove the usurpers from
bower and declared that knaver,
hould be supplanted by honesty
Among the best features Of ou
present election law is that which
gives to judges of higher courts I
Supervisory power over election Off
cers and gives summary remedie
10 compel the execution of the law
Dur Supreme court Judges have lib
brally construed this law in favor o
ustice and have struck terror anon,
malefactors who hoped to evsde ii
Their jurisdiction ought to be eS
tended so that the judges shoul
have unquestioned authority I
supervise all the election officers an
issue proper and summary proces
to compel compliance with tn
law. Much fraud and confusio
would be avoided and greater ce,
ainty effected and expenses in elet
lion contests saved by plovidin
that all ballots should be numbe
ed to correspond with the numbt
pf the poll list. This would promot
he secrecy of the ballot because
would then be deposited without b
ing looked at and the poll list shoul
be certified, closed and sealed befol
n the counting of the ballots. Pr
n vision should be made to preve1
the failure of election because of Il
loss of registration or other books.
OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
In 1868 our system of civil jut
cial procedure was revolutioned
the amalgamation of the law and t
equity courts. This change, th'
violently denounced has stood t
test of experience and is now &c
orally admitted to have been a gre
and lasting reform. Yet much
tbs fallacies of the old system b
been preserved by the new. N
the least among these in the do
trine that equitable remedies mu
be denied if here be an apparent
gal remedy. Laws should be (
the prevention as we'll as the repal
tion of wrong. Wrong should