The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-01-13

people become accustomed to the
new law another is enacted, Great
ing constant uneasiness, misappre-
hension and criticism. The officers
n people alike begin now to
clearly understand the present law. It
is wise, therefore, as d matter Of econ
Omy of time to the legislature and for
the benefit of the taxpayers TO max
few changes in the existing law.
THE SOUTH DAKOTA SUIT.
The state has been sued in the su-
preme court of the United States by
the state of South k on ten bonds
secured by an alleged SECOND mortga
on the state stock in the North Ca'o
lima Railroad Company. All of tn
bonds of this class have been adjust
long since except about two hundraF
and fifty, of which those sued upon
are n part. They are held or control
ed by Schaffer Brothers, brokers' il
New York, and the ten bonds s1o
upon are assigned by them to South
Dakota without considerable and fo
the purpose. as North Carolina con
tends, of evading the eleventh amend
ment to the constitution of the United
States, and for the purpose of drawing
into the jurisdiction of the court ~
bonds held by the said brokers. This
is the first case OF this character ever
VI ~ ~ III NtNV III a ll'I. u
and it is confidently ~contendad ny
North Carolina that no court has juris-
diCtiOn TO enforce public obligations in
-" H7r@@ q ~ aseignee which couli
not be enforced by the a%Ssignor. Tho
principle involved is of serious import
ance, not only to this. but to all the
states of the Union. and if the suit can
be maintained it will be n dangerous
departure and one seriously infringing
upon the sovereignty of the states. !
have employed counsel for the state
who in conjunction with our able at
torney general are representing.
STATE TAX COMMISSION.
, The report of the state tax commits
sion is a very interesting document and
well worthy of your serious study.
Some OF the ationS contain
ed therein are new to our people AMI
may not meet with ready acceptance.
1t is certain. however. lat the COM
mission has given diligent study to the
problems presented to them for consid-
Grafton under the act creating the
commission. | trust that the views
| presented will not only arouse inter
est on the part of the general assembly.
but viii cause Il general study of the
subject Of taxation by all our people
Much revenue is undoubtedly lost to
the state, counties n towns by refu-
sal to properly list personal property in
those where the combined
tax rate Is so high as to become a bur-
den. If any plan can be devised by
which this can be remedied and there
by cause Il full listing of property AT
its true value, a long step will be taken
towards the adjustment on an equitable
basis of the burdens of taxation. The
recommendation of the commission
that n tax should be levied for state
purpose on diStillerieS, rectifying estab-
llshmentS and saloons seems to be well
founded. The state has heretofore
levied a tax on saloons for the use of
the school fund only. 1t would seen
Cor state purposes. There is no reason
apparent why Gistilleries and rectify-
ing establishments should not also con
tribute to the support of the state gov
| eminent.
EDUCATION.
! | commend to your careful considera-
lion the very full and able report of our
excellent superintendent of public in
StructiOn. | concur heartily in the re-
Communications which he has so
thOughtfully made. But for the fact
that some of your honorable body have
come to the legislature instructed by
the conventions which nominated You
! TO secure the adoption of an amend
ment to the constitution by which the
axes paid by the whites shall go to the
education of the white children and the
Y paid by the negroes shall go to
the education of the negro children, ]
should make no mention of any race
question. l had confidently hoped tina;
this matter would not be before you.
We have just eliminated by u conStl-
i tutiOnal amendment the negro from
any large participation in the govern
ment of the state. 1t was my fortune
TO be the candidate at the time when
it was adopted of that party which
| speech Of acceptance which / made 10
! the convention which unanimously
nominated me for the office of governor
[ used this language, While universal
suffrage s I failure, universal justice
Is the perpetual decree of Almighty
God. and we are entrusted with power
not for our good alone, but for the ne
gro rs Well. We hold our title to pow
er by the tenure of service to God, and
II We tail to administer equal and eX-
act justice to the whom we de-
prlVe OF suffrage. We shall in the full
ness OF time loose power ourselves, for
We mus know that the God who is love
trusts lo people with authority for the
purpose OF enabling them to do injus-
tice to the weak" The reception which
This statement met at the hands of that
great convention will ever be to me a
pleasant memory This declaration was
not mere sentiment. 1t was the ex
preston of a deep conviction. In my
inaugural address l substantially reit-
Grated this statement. l said 10 the
last general assembly, You will moi
have auGht TO fear when you make am
pie provision for the education of the
whole people. Rich and poor alike are
bound by promise and necessity to ap-
prove o u utmost efforts in this direc-
ton. The platform OF all the parties
declare in favor of a liberal policy to
wards the education of the Masses
The platform on which l ran for office
contained this provision, We heartily
commend the action of the general as.
sembly of 1899 for ~appropriating one
hundred thousand dollars for the bene-
fit Of the public schools of the state
and pledge ourselves to increase The
/ school fund so as to make at least {
four months term in ach yea il
every school district in the state
There is in that platform declaration
no suggestion OF any purpose to tax,
from the negro any part of the schoo