The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-03-24
Commonwealth.

The Legislature of 1901 was history
making body.
1t was representative of the best
thought and the highest spirit of true
progress in the State 1t embraced men
of all callings and professions, and was
truly representative Of the best sentiment
of the State. 1t sought with diligent labor
and intelligent zeal to make laws that
would bless the State. 1t was composed
of ITO men of varying views and convic-
tions. and therefore the legislation was
put to the test of securing the approval of
men who were not agreed as to the best
plan of reaching the desired end. The
debates and conferences were not wanting
in that healthy friction of mind against
mind that must precede good legislation.
As in all legislative bodies, the most i'm
portant legislation was the result of that
concession of opinion that is necessary for
agreement among men of honest convic-
tions. This was particularly noticeable
in the important matters such as framiI z
the school law, the revenue and machinery
acts and the appropriation bills.
Take for instance, the matter of appro-
priations. The sentiment of patriotic leg
islators ran all the way, from desiring to
cut down the present appropriations, to
an advocacy of policy of large appro-
priations that would demand the issue of
$5o0, 00o of bonds. There was of necessity
conflict between honest men entertaining
these wide differences of opinion. Legis-
lstlon of any kind, therefore, was impos-
sible except by the exercise of the spirit
of compromise.
BOND ISSUE AVERTED.
The opponents of a bond issue won a
signal victory over great odds. They were
not men who opposed just and liberal APP
preparations. They are men who believe
that it is better to impose taxation upon
all species of property escaping in whole
or in part it's just share of the burdens OF
government than to remit the payment
of present needs to posterity. While not
holding absolutely with Jefferson, they
felt that the Sage of Monticello talked q
world of wisdom about bonds and debts
Writing to Nathaniel Macon, in 1921
Mr.. Jefferson said: There does not ex-
ist an engine so corruptive of the gov
ernment and so demoralizing of the nation
as a public debt. 1t will bring on us
more ruin at home than all the enemies
from abroad
In 1892 he wrote to Washington: Il
would wish the public debt paid tomor-
row; Col. Hamilton wishes it nevsr to be
paid, but always to be a thing wherewith
to corrupt and manage the Legislature. >
Writing to Samuel Kerchival in 1915 lie
said: 1--WE must make our election be-
tween ECONOMY AND LIBERTY, OR
PROPULSION AND SERVILITY."
To Eldridge Gerry in 1899 he wrote;
~ am not for increasing, by every device
the public debt on the principle of its be-
ing public blessing
To Spencer Roane in 1912 he wrote:
"The growth and entailment Of a public
debt is an indication soliciting the en-
ployment of the pruning knife
To Governor Plumer he wrote: Il place
economy among the first and most impor-
tant of republican virtues. and public debt
as the greatest of the dangers to be fear
ed"
While this doctrine is in many places
regarded as old fashioned. it is gratifying
to know that the North Carolina Legisla-
ture today as an hundred years age was
true to Jefferson's teaching. North Caro-