The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-03-26
THE LEGISLATURE OF 1901.

yet cleared sufficiently for an I'M
clouded decision as to its character,
but some of its most important acts
may be mentioned and their probable
effect stated. 1t should be sad in
the outset that while the first Gen.
eral Assembly of the twentieth CEN
fury failed to measure up to the
high standard set by Gov. Aycock as
that which should prevail under the
new political conditions in this State,
much good work was done, notably
in educational matters. A more
sober Legislature, in the n of
freedom from drunkenness, has per-
haps never assembled in North Caro-
lima, but some of the members were
intoxicated with the wine of political
success. In every legislative body,
a strong minority is necessary in
order to prevent hasty and partisan
legislation. In the Legislature of 1895
little partisan or unwise work was
done compared with that enacted by
the same parties after a second vic
tory in 1896 and the further weaken
ing of the then minority party.
With all parties this is true each
does its best work when feeling that
a few mistakes, a few unjust laws,
may turn the scale from victory to
defeat. This conserving force the
Legislature of 1901 lacked.
The most pressing duty before the
Legislature when it assembled, and
that which it most carefully fulfilled,
was that of providing for the educa-
ton of the youth of the State through
our public schools. While we hoped
that an appropriation of $3.50, 900
would be made, the exhausted con
dition of the State Treasury did not
seem, to the majority, to warrant
this. The sum agreed upon, 5000, 900
is a long step forward and, if judi
ciOusly expended, may give the
coveted four months term in every
district. OF this sum 800, 900 is to
be distributed pro rata, and 800, 900
for weak schools only in the en-
deavCr to bring all up to the cOnsti-
tutiOnal requirement. And in pro-
viding for State adoption of text
books, the Legislature returned to a
system far superior to the one hither-
to prevailing and likely to result in
a great saving to the people. No
less important in view of its posi-
bilities was the passage of the bill to
encourage small libraries in cOnnec-
ton with rural schools. But it
should be said in passing that the
State Literary and Historical Asso-
citation deserves quite as much credit
for the passage of this act as does
the Legislature itself.
The appropriations of the Legisla-
ture were unusually large, but we
recall only a few instances in which
a smaller appropriation would have
better served the interests of the
people. The asylums of the STAG
called for the heaviest ]apprOpria-
tiOns in their history, and we cannot
Criticise the members for their efforts
to take the unfortunate insane from
the jails and poor houses where
scores of them have been confined
for months. Nor do our legislators
deserve anything but commentator
for voting heavier appropriations
for educational purposes and for pen
siOns to disabled Confederate vetar-
ms. We think that a heavier tax
should have been laid upon the gross
earnings of railroads, but we are
glad that the principle, at least, has
been established. Understand US,
we do not think the railroads should
be taxed more heavily than other
property just because they have the
money" We do think, however,
that they should make proper return
for the privileges granted them by
the State. The telegraph and tele-
phone companies have long paid a 2
per cent. tax upon gross earnings.
In view of the fact that the Legis-
lature could not find money enough
to establish the much-needed reform
atOry for young criminals, Or to pro-
vide for a code commission, we do
not think that the Governors salary
should have been increased at this
time. The act, too, was in bad
taste, coming only the day before
the present incumbent assumed the
duties of his office. Another law
that ought not to have been passed
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