The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-01-17
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Governor Russell's message to the
General Assembly was a very readable
paper and contained some very timely
suggestions. 1t was brief but good
review of many matters of interest to
the State.
The message had the commendable
feature of brevlty. It discussed the
States Geological Survey, and said:
"During the past two years something
more than 100000 of capital has
been invested In the development OF
the timber and mineral resources OF
the State, which investments are doubt
less in a measure attributable to the
work of the survey"
Our public hospitals for the insane
aud their work were commended and
special attention was called to the ap-
peals Tor these institution. On this
subject he said:
"The reports of the three hospitals
for the insane and of the schools for
the deaf, dumb and blind are trans
mitted herewith. again earnestly
call attention to the applications made
by all these Institutions. It is not on
~ shocking to the highest human SEN
sibilities, but it is stain upon the CIV
ilization of our time, that insane per-
sons of both sexes should be confined
in the loathsome and unsanitary jails
of our counties, on account OF the lack
of room to receive them and care Tor
them III the asylums that have been
provided for such unfortunates."
Right vigorously did the Governor
recommend the establishment of a re-
formatory for juvenile criminals. We
give the following paragraph:
ut is notoriously true that young
boys and girb who are found guilty OF
some small criminal offence for the first
time and who are not yet hardened in
crime are sent to our Jails and peniten-
tlaries to associate with persons OF both
sexes who haye long been criminals ;
and those juvenile offenders instead of
being benefited and reclaimed are
confirmed in their viciousness and 90
away from prison, after their first term
of service there, prepared by theif vic
lous associations for yet greater offences
against the public laws. A properly
conducted reforma:ory would take these
youthful offenders and put them under
restraints and within the sweep of in
fluences that would turn them aside
from their criminal tendencies and re-
suit in their reformation and reclama-
ton to industry and social usefulness.
Statistics cleaned from other States
sh wv that from Is to 81 per cent. Of
the Juvenile criminals who are treated
in reformatories are reformed and made
to be useful citizens. What has been
done in this regard in other States, Can
be done here in North Carolina, and
the doing of it, ought not to be delay
ed for the space of one single unneces
sary hour"
Concerning those who are sometimes
enormously called "the criminally in
sane" the Governor said:
"The Legislature some years ago, by
special enactment, created what Ii
known a. the Criminal and Danger
GUS Insane Department" and located
it in the west end OF the penitentiary
building. This, the management O
this institution thinks, with ali good
citizens who haye given serious though
to the matter, was grievous mistake
There can be no such thing as an in
sane criminal, for an insane person
cannot commit crime, and the few un
fortunates who are slowed away in ont
corner of the States prison, are per
haps no more dangerous than man.
of the those confined in the hospital
at Raleigh, Morganton and Goldsboro
It Is discrimination that should no
be made. The department is a men
ace to this institution, its establismen
an injustice to these unfortunates"
The message discussed at some length
the work Of the Cooperation Commis
sion and the many lit,gations in which
the State has been engaged through
work of the Commission. It reviewed
the various investigations which hav
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