The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-02-05

STATE PRESS.
The members Of h legislature should
mot forget that he farmers and o
lpae who lave boys that they cannoe
l~control are patiently awaiting the pas
sage Of that a~nti-cigare.te iaw-Dur-
ham Herald.
The London libel bin has been fayor-
ably reported by the senate judiciary
committee, and will doubtless become
Ia law. The bill Is n Of Importance to
THE press 4 people OF the state. and
IA similar law should have been enact
led long before this.-Kinston Free
Press.
There are three measures of very
great Importance to North Carolina
(which should pass congress this ses-
sion, viz, sufficient appropriations for
the inland water route, the Cape Fear
river above Wilmington, and the one
for the appalachian park We are glad
Ito know that u and repre-
~Isentatives are giving energetic atten-
ltion to them all.-Raleigh Post.
None Of the corporation organs have
lyet been able TO explain why North
carolina, with 500 miles more of rail-
road, should get 1925, 900 in tax from
railroads while Tennessee, with 500
Imiles less, gets over $3.50. 900 per e
Is ii because North Carolina does not
need the tax and therefore chooses
Ito give it to h rich railroads. II
mot. why is It?-Raleigh News and
lObServer.
For one, we have no desire to turn
upon the northern press, which has
ldone the south so much injustice on
the question of lynching, with the cry:
Your another" But we do desire
land we believe it the duty of an en-
frightened press to help Danish forever
1.-THE crime that has always cause
llynching, whether it be committed in
THE state of John Brown or Wendell
Phillips or Jefferson Davis. Its a
mighty poo neighbor that can't SYM
Ipathize with a fellow that has corns
until someone treads on his own
charlotte News
The fight over state adoption of ext
books promises to be very lively in
1.-THE North Carolina legislature. But
lit should not be. IL seems ITO us that
rather have state adoption. as it would
1.-THE book companies interested would
lbe less expensive to them, and they
lwould lave their books considered by
lone of the 1ablest boards that could be
lgathered in the state. This board has
1.-THE interest of the hoo children at
heart, and is anxious to adopt the
best books at the lowest cost. 1t stand
IO TSdSol lldl lHSy Scul0 LION d OVb-
ter selection than the average county
lboards.-Raleigh Times.
The demands made upon this legis-
llature for pressing needs are UGH that
lit will be necessary to frame laws that
Insure an increase in the revenues, is
sue bonds, or create a deficit. The last
two are never to be thought Of except
Jas a last extremity. The first is the
natural and proper method of raising
lWhot iS noodod and If all nrnnortU is
assessed at it's true value there would
Ibe enough money raised to meet all the
real needs of the state. Fake the prop
lerty of railroads alone. If taxed upon
tits true value, the state, the cities and
counties would get $3.50, coo for 1901 in
stead of 1926, 900, the mount paid in
1888, 1899 and 1900.-Raleigh News and
lObserver.
1t was precipitated thus early in the
session by the introduction of a bill
Ito authorize the governor and other
Estate officers to adopt the text books
for all the public schools in the state.
1T will be remembered that until four
Years ago his was the way in which
these books were adopted, and that
the fusion legislature of 1897 changed
this so as Ito allow the county COM
ImissionerS of every county to adpot
the school books for their respective
~lcounties. Tt is probable that this bill
will pass. as it seems that the governor
land other high state officers should be
better qualified than the average board
of county commissioners to select the
school books.-Pittsboro Record.
The Telegram recognizes in the cot
ton mills of North Carolina a blessing
in the past and a large section of hope
flor the future prosperity Of the state.
lat the same time it recognizes the fact
THAT cotton mills are not built for phil
Ianthropic purposes, but for the profit
flor those who build them. This is right
land does not lesson the value of the
incidental good they do. We believe
that the majority of the mill owners
want to do the right thing. All of them
would be more than mortal if there
were not some few, at least. among
them who did not want to do the right
thing. Therefore, there should be no
objection to framing n law the vol
Iuntary agreement Of the mill
why they object to this, we cannot see.
l-Greansboro Telegram.
Representative Willlard's bill to pro-
wide for the prope assessment of prop
Ierty for taxation is one of the most
important yet proposed. 1t gives the
safe corporation commission the power
Jas a board of assessors, and requires
them to make a personal investigation
Iof the conditions in each county so
that justice may be done. 1t is a note
lrious fact that most Of the property
lon the tax books is listed at too low a
figure. There are instances In which
the property is listed at it's cash value,
but they are rare. This was shown
clearly by the testimony before the spe-
lcial master in the railroad taxation
cases. We can hardly put a higher
tax on the hundred dollars worth of
property. mi the best way to increase
THE states revenue seems to be to in
Grease the valuation of property to it's
actual cash value.-Raleigh Times.
story of q slave.