The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-10

at North
Hsory working
IAtened states. He
he short term system
lcts. Governor Russell
NE work done by the agri-
)Gpartment. He points to the
lHcy in some respects of the
)lhers' Institute work under the
Iharge of that department and suggests
more workers and from the educated,
practical farmers. He refers briefly to
the fine state museum, to the state iag-
ricultural society, asking the legislature
to treat the latter generously" and
has good words for the university of
North Carolina, of which he has always
shown himself a true friend. He favors
additional appropriations as financial
condition may allow. He is specially
appreciative of the state Normal Indus
trial College, and asks for additional
buildings owing to it's greatly increased
patronage and service. He has kind
words for the College of Agriculture
and Mechanic Arts, and praises the
faculty. He approves Of the money ap-
piled to the colored Agricultural and
Mechanical college. The public hospi-
tails for the insane and the schools for
the deaf and dumb and the blind are
considered. He invites the legislature
to make a careful study of the reports,
and to consider their needs. The Ok
ford orphan asylum has been successful
during the year and he recommends
such help as may be deemed needed.
He devotes considerable attention to
the state ~penitentiary, and sets forth a
brief history of it's management for two
years. The success has not been
marked. He thinks the experiment in
raising rice has been encouraging.
Making shirts by convicts does not
prove satisfactory. He urges the Great
ing of a "Reformatory for the reclama-
ton Of young criminals"
He has p%ardoned LOT criminals and
.commuted the sentences of Is, to two
years. Laborous and unsatisfactory.
The ~pardoning business is a nuisance.
The governor should be relieved of this
burden, this responsibility, this oppor-
tunity of offending justice.
He discusses the railroads and the
railroad commission. Of course he ap-
proves of his own course as to railroads:
He tells of the Spanish war claims and
what he did. He very properly was
averse to going into the state treasury to
pay war expenses when it was the duty
of the United States government to pay
them. The government refused to pay
because this state owed the United
States for som bonds issued prior to
1850. That is a bad dodge for Uncle
Sam. The congress made the var and
it should provide to pay the costs.
The governor recommends additional
appropriations for the state guard, and
wisely DONE. He favors paying the ad-
jutant general $1,000 a year salary.
How much time does he give to his
duties? If he gives all, it is too low.
If he gives a half or less it is too high,
He praises the management Of the
management Of the soldiers home, and
recommends an increase of a%ppropria-
lions, to which few will object.
He says he has never appointed but
eight negroes to Office. But he managed
in Wilmington by his course to get in
perhaps seventy-five others, not oun
ing other towns.
He says the states credit is excellent,
and four per cent bonds will sell for
$106.75.
He favors reducing the cost of public
printing by purchasing a plant for the
deaf and dumb institution. He advises
a small increase of appropriation for
the benefit of the board of health.
Referring to the public schools he
SAYS they are not as they should be
outside of towns. He thinks more