The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-11

Assembly. 1t is as follows:
To the Senate and House of Represent
tatives.
The first General Assembly of the
twentieth century meets under condi-
tions more encouraging than those
which confronted the legislators who
convened during the last decade of the
nineteenth century. Events in Asia and
Africa have created demand for our
products. Protective import taxes have
stimulated home production. Conf
dence in the national currency has sent
into circulation vast sums of boarded
money. The extension of American
territory has opened up opportunities
for enterprise and adventure. Exports
OF the nation have enormously increas-
ed. Cotton manufacturing in North
Carolina is increasing beyond the
dreams of thoughtful men of the past.
Our Sta-e pnpu,ation has gone up to
nearly two millions. The actual aggre-
gate wealth of the State has increased
so that for the first time in forty years
1t probably equals or surpasses the
values which prevailed before the de-
destruction and disasters Of the civil
Conflict
THE REPORTS.
The reports of the Secretary of State,
Auditor and Treasurer, together with
the reports of the. heads of the State,
are transmitted herewith. These sew
eral reports are full and accurate and
the recommendations contained IN
them are entitled to,the careful consid
Grafton of the General Assembly.
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The work of the Geological Survey
has been carried on during the past
two years in a highly creditable man
ner Among the results accomplished
it may be mentioned that the examine
ton of the magnetic conditions of the
State has been completed; meridian
monuments have been erected at every
county-seat and a report is now being
published which will place the results
of this investigation within reach of
every surveyor and engineer in the
State. The oyster beds have been care
fully re-examined during the past year
by the survey in connection with the
United States Fish Commission. A re-
port embodying the result of this inves-
tigation is now ready for publication.
The work of investigating the water
resources, including both the surface
streams for water power and the arte-
sian water supplies for drinking pur-
poses, has made considerable progress,
and a preliminary report on the water
powers of the middle and western coun-
ties has already been published. An
examination of the pine forests of the
eastern counties was made Curing 1899,
and during 1900 in connection with the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture. the survey has been making a
careful examination of the forests Of
the mountain counties in relation to
the proposed national park in that
region. In cooperation with the
United States Geological Survey some
thing more than one thousand square
miles has been added to the regions
covered by The topographic map of the
State and the investigation of the gen
eral mineral and mining conditions has
been continued during the past two
years. The demand for the reports of
the survey has continually increased
and the supply of several reports al
ready published has been exhausted.
During the past two years something
more than SIS 100000 of capital has been
invested in the development of the TIM
Der and mineral resources of the State,
which investments are doubtless in
measure attributable to the work of the
survey.
THE STATE AGRICULTURAL So
CIETY.
The State Agricultural Society has
done good work during the last two
years. The Fair in the year 1900, was,
perhaps, the best exhibit of the pro-
Nf fh0 md lrcIn
that has ever been collected in the
State. I recommend that the General
Assembly continue to treat this So
ciety with the consideration which it
deserves, so that it may have
means Srom year to year of
preparing such exhibits of the
productions of the State as will
advertise thoroughly to the stranger
and the people of the State as well, the
wealth of its resources.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The Boarl of Agriculture has con-
structed a creditable building such as
was needed to meet the wants of this
Department. The usefulness of this
Board has been demonstrated to the
extent that ii has become a permanent
institution OF the State.
TOE UNIVERSITY.
The University during the last four
years has grown in attendance from
three hundred and ninety lone students
to five hundred AMI twelve It's mate
rial equipment has also increased by
gifts to the State in buildings amount
ing to $4,000 and in requests and
money about $4,000. This large growth
of the University means great extern
sion of its usefulness and influence 1t
means a great impetus to education in
this State. strong and efficient Uni
versity is essential to the States educa-
tional system, and the University must
be generously supported If this State
is to go forward. The present teaching
force is unable to meet the demands
made upon 1t ly the increasing number
of students and there is already an
annual deficit in the treasury. The Uni
versity needs and deserves liberal treat
ment at the hands of the Legislature
Of the State.
THE STATE NORMAL AND INDUS
TRIAL COLLEGE.
The State Normal and Industrial Col
lege at Greensboro suffered very great
~ from an epidemic of typhoid fever
which broke out in fha fall 0f 1890 TT