The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-12


eupita. The Revenue Act is considered
just, apportionihg the burden of taxa
| ton equitably and much after the man
ner heretofore obtaining. 1t does not
| reduce taxation, but it does not increase
| it, The election law is one-sided, of
course, the advantages being in the
hands of the dominant party. We earn
| cstly hope it will not be abused.
And this brings us TO the Constit'l-
| tiona Am, ndment, which we fondly
| hope will so reconstruct the suffrage
| that election laws will never be made
one-sided again. Since we have print
| ed this amendment in full. we will not
| discuss it at length. This paper was
| tina only one in the State to advocate
an educational qualification. We believe
it will bring us into freedom in which
much can be done for the common good
that has long been out of reach. The
amendment was offered to the people at
thgir bidding-not on the campaign. but
after it had stirred their souls with a
bitterness that set them determined to
avoid another like it. About it a great
campaign and a passionate one will be
waged. 1t must be seriously prepared
for.
In the matter of appropriating public
money there was linked a scrupulous
regard for economy and a glorious lib
crafty. Every eleemosynary institution
was provided for. but mercy did not
carry away the senses of the Assembly.
The educational institutions received no
increase for maintenance, but their nee
essities were not disregarded. The pen
tentiary was found greatly in debt. and
for it 100000 in bonds and $4,000
annually had to be given. Above al,
epoch-making, hopeuplifting is the act
giving the free schools 10O,0O0-Send-
ing that much of the peoples money
back to their children, putting the State
on record as making direct appr0pria-
tons to popular education, thrilling the
hearts of Those who have lab0red in
darkness for these schools, elOquently
declaring that interest is awakening. We
foresee the day when men will look
back to this act as marking the great
est and noblest change in the States
educational policy. f any lack hope
for the public schools and her 100000
children it is no fault of the General
Assembly.
There was n multitudinous amount of
minor legislation; many an uncalled for
bill failed. even the nightly pushed
Textile School. These things required
work 1t was done by committees, AMI
we never knew committees to work
more diligently.
For officials, directors and trustees,
worthy men were selected so far as we
know. A remarkable change was re-
vealed in the increase of the number of
officers to be elected by the people.
The public printing was awarded, not
ON political considerations, but rs a
business matter. The fact that it was
first given to firm that failed to sign
the contract, a firm whose political in
huence was against that dominant in the
General ASSEMBLY, goes to show this.
A road law was enacted, which will
add immeasurably to the common GOOD
as it slowly works out its ends.
And we are left Reformatory for
youthful criminals and the deliverancc
of the child-slaves of the factories to
plead for two more years.
Taken all in all. the Gen raj Assembly
served the State wisely and well. Much
is yet to be done, much yet to i've for.
We are in the beginning of new day.
Let us work one and all in thg thrill of
the mornings hope. Biblical Recorder.
We hope and believe that the popu-
lists, with few exceptions. who voted
for the White Mans Rule in North
Carolina last year, vii heartily coop
crate this year with the Democrats in
putting an eXtinguisher for all time
upon all possibility of negro rule over
the white people of our common State.
60 nud pcsI to nc NV tiaS hnt
bind. The fight will be heated and
sharp, but unless the white race is S0r-
did and low and recreant and debased
the cause of 4Anglo-SaXon civilization
will he made safe.
Let us not fail to emphasize the fact
here that the P0pulists in the Legisla-
ture voted squarely with the Democrats
for the amendment to the Constitution.
They will he sure to help IN the coming
battle for its adoption and white SUI
premacy. Another fact in connection
with the passage of the amendment
through the Legislature. 1t is that Mr..
Rountree, one of New HanoverS most
faithful representatives in the House.
and who made such Il fine reputation
as constitutional lawyer and astute
legislator. was indeed the leader in the
movement lHT Ilc dIIPHuHleul bndl WIS
adopted. But for him the probabili-
ties are strong that the party would
be without it, and white mans rule
would not be an accomplished fact at
any time soon by measures of peace
Wilmington Messenger
Senator II. b. Glenn tells us that he
regards the Stevens antitrust law rs
the best that could be, got. 1t will be
effective if enforced and will be fair to
our State. The Jim Crow car law pass
ed was the best out of AZ bills offered
on the matter. and will, he thinks, give
pretty general satisfaction. The cleo
ton law as passed simply makes it utter
ly impossible for Il man to vote who is
not entitled to. The revenue law is a good
one. especially that feature that makes
graduated merchants tax. Our road
law gives us all that we could reason
ably ask for.-Winston Journal.
Senator and Mrs. II. :. Ward returned
home from Raleigh Wednesday night.
Our people bid them welcome and CON
graduate them on the work they have
done during their absence. When we
consider that Senator Ward was en-
| oil l., H..