The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-09

| habits which have ever characterized
| North Carolinians. The people OF this
| State constitute its wealth and given a
fair opportunity for development OF the
mind, body. and heart, they will become
| as efficient workers as can be found any
where.
| STATE OYSTER COMMISSIONERS
| I transmit herewith the report OF the
! Oyster Commissioner, together with
| copy Of an act recommended by him. me
primary object of the law is to preserve
and increase the production OF oysters
our Eastern waters 1t seems TO me-
therefore, that in addition to this pro-
| lection and preservation of our oyster
| beds some revenue for the State might
we'll be derived from this source The
laws in force have been executed as well
| as nossible under all the circumstances,
| though there has been much complaint OF
violation Ly various parties. A number
of neople have been arrested charged
4 with violation of the law, but all have
| been acquitted 1t appears almost i'm
possible to secure convictions in this class
of cases. The whole subject of our fish
and oyster legislation deserves the most
| careful consideration at your hands so
| as to safe guard this great source of
wealth to the State, protect our own
citizens in their rights and while in
creasing the supply of oysters encourage
the business of canning them.
A. AND N. C. RAILROAD COMPANY.
The conduct of this road under it's
present management has been quite salts
factory. The earnings for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1899, were $1S7 ,562 20.
This was then the largest sum ever earn
ed by the road in it's history. For the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1902, the earn
ings amounted to 1851 32.70, showing a
gain in earnings of s69,47o50. Notwith-
standing the increase in the earnings no
dividend has been paid to the stockhold-
ers, but the money has been expended
in permanent improvements, SAT, S57.S9 be-
ing spent in that way during the last
fiscal year. During the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1900. the road borrowed for use
in betterments of the roads $4,000. At
the time of the last meeting of stockhold-
ers in September 81 10000 of this sum
had been paid. 1t is my hope and expec-
tation that the remainder of this borrow
ed money shall be paid during the pres
ent fiscal year. When this is accom-
| plished there seems a fair prospect for
the regular receipt of dividends. I'M
| proyements are still being made on the
road and it is now in excellent condition
giving to the people Of the section through
which it runs better facilities than they
have ever enjoyed before.
PENSIONS AND SOLDIERS HOME.
/
| has paid out to the soldiers and widows
in pensions $3.50, 597. so, and in the support
of and additions to the Soldiers Home
| ISL 100000. 1t is admitted that North Car
olina sent more soldiers to the Confeder-
| ate Army than any other State. The
| amount paid to the widows of those sol
| diers and to the survivors of that gallant
| army must appear to everyone pitifully
small. These old men and the widows
| of those who have passed away have
| been much honored on the platform and
in the press and the State has done what
she has felt able to do to make their
! lives more pleasant as they approach the
! end. The debt which we owe to them car
never be paid. The one which we pay
to them is but a small part of that which
/ they merit. Their bitter necessities will
appeal to you and / cannot doubt that
such provision will be made as you find
the State able to bear.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD.
Accompanying this message will be
found the report of the Adjutant General
of the North Carolina State Guard. l
concur in the recommendations OF the
Adjutant General. 1t is gratifying to
know that the general condition o. the
State Guard shows decided Improvement.
There is no more powerful agency for the
preservation of the peace and good or
der of the State than is furnished by Our
citizen soldiery. They respond promptly
to every call for their services anu give
freely of their time in any service which
the State demands. They are entities TO
the fostering care of the State and the
grateful appreciation of all lovers of
peace and quiet.
THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
From the report of the Secretary of
the State Board of Health which is here
with transmitted, it appears that much
work of the character expected of such
boards has been ACCOMPLISHED during tbs,
pnst two years. This includes aTcng
other things sanitary inspection of tho
States institutions: Ct all pubic We ter
supplies. ard OF suspected private SUP
plies on request advice and instructions
TO municipalities; health officers and IN
diyidual citizens: the collection OF vital
statistics and the dissemination among
the people of varied information as TO the
preservation Of health. The educa tional
effect Of this work is apparent in the i'm
proved nublic sentiment on this very
important subject. Hygiene is the latest
AND highest development Of medical
science The promotion of the health Of
the people makes for both their prosper
Ity and happiness. All efforts therefore
9" attain this object should ho fostered
ana encouraged.
THE PENITENTIARY.
1t is gratifying to be able to report to
your Honorable Body that the Penitentiary
$ self-sustaining and will need TO ap-
| "ropriation. BY reference to the report
81 tEe Board OF Directors it will be found
mat when they took charge OF that insti-
Sutloh there was on hand the sum 1T
S55S7S0 with outstanding debts amount
ing TO s33. $3.50. Their report shows in
nano 90 Of the first OF January of this