The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-01-13

% The methods OF highway improve
ment and an Investigation OF he mEte-
rails suitable for road building in North
Carolina.
90 The forest resources OF the state,
the forest conditions bordering the larger
rivers and on the swamp land owned by
the State Board OF Education. the intlu-
ence OF forest clearings in western North
Carolina. in causing destructive floods.
During The past two years the damage
| caused by these mountain floods in the
state has reached 81 600, 000).
90 The water powers on the streams In
| the midland ana western counties Of the
State and their development for manu-
featuring purposes.
co The miscellaneous mineral resources
and mining development in the midland
ard western counties.
The investments in the development OF
| our mineral and timber resources have
been larger than usual during the past
two years and they are now progressing
satisfactorily in many OF these counties
AS illustrating the growth of the good
roads movement in North Carolina-due
largely to the Geological Survey-it may
Ee said that ten years ago the cash eX-
penditure for this work in the State did
not exceed $50 900 per annum. 1t now ex-
ceeds $500, 00O per annum; and the survey
has in it's employ one expert whose sole
duty is to aid counties in the wise ex-
penditure of this money. The oyster
industry in our State has been little I'M
derstood and is greatly in need of just
such Investigations as are now being
carried on by the Geological Survey with
the aid of the United States Fish Com
mission.
The report of the State GeClogist de
scribing the above Investigations in de-
tail and also giving a full detailed state
ment of the expenditures Of the survey
and a list Of the persons connected with
the same will be submitted to the Gen
eral Assembly at an early date.
STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC CHARITIES
The reports of this board which will be
sent you later in the session show that
the State is now paying nearly double
the amount for the care and the education
of the afflicted and defective classes
which it paid ten years ago. The num-
bers cared for have likewise doubled.
This largely increased expenditure is q
heavy drain upon the resources of the
State in one way, but in another it more
than pays for itself in freeing the indi-
viduals who would otherwise be charged
| with the burden of supporting and educat-
ing these unfortunate people. All parties
are pledged to maintain and enlarge the
charitable work which the State has I'M
dertaken to do. This requires much mon
| ey, but if the people mean what they say
in their political platforms the money
will be cheerfully paid by them. The
| ROa ri of Puhljc Charities in a ouipt WAY
has greatly ameliorated the conditions
Of the inmates of the homes for the aged
and infirm and the prisoners confined in
the jails. They investigate every charge
of bad treatment and Of the want Of
sufficient food and raiment. By these in
vestigations the authorities have been
informed of their duty to the afflicted and
to those confined in prison. with the re-
| suit that there is a constant lettering
of the Institutions having the care OF
these people. Mr.. G. B. benson, the eff
cient Secretary TO the Board, has devoted
himself TO this great and good work and
it is with pain that l learn of his criti-
| cal illness. He has erected for himself in
deeds Of kindness to those who are
helpless a monument which will be en-
during.
EXAMINERS OF STATE INSTITUTIONS
Under an Act Of the last General AS
sembly | caused to be mailed to each
member of the General Assembly during
the month of November, 1902, a printed
copy of the report of the Board Of Ex-
aminers CT State Institutions. This board
| was created by the last General Assembly
| and the report shows the result of its
first work. Full and detailed informa-
ton in regard to each Of the institutions
investigated is to be found in said report
together with the recommendations of the
Board for legislation.
PARDONS.
Accompanying this message will be
found, as required by the Constitution, a
list of the pardons, combinations. and
respites together with the reasons there
for. It will be found from this list dur
ing the past two years | nave p~ardoned
one hundred and thirty-four people and
committed the sentence of twenty-six.
Much unfavorable criticism has been
passed upon my frequent exercise of the
power which the Constitution gives me ii
this respect. It is possible that in q
few instances l have made mistakes of
judgment and in a very few l may have
been imposed upon by Misrepresentation.
During the past two years there have
been 1903 convictions in our Superior
Courts. 1t will be observed, therefore.
that l have pardoned and committed one
and one-third per cent. of those convict
ed. This percentage is less than that OF
several Of my ablest. wisest and most be
loved predecessors. The action Of those
who have gone before me and have re-
tired from Office with the plaudits of
their fellow citizens is a reasonably safe
guide for me. I do not hesitate to say.
however, that l have not been controlled
by their action, but in each case have
carefully examined all the facts pre-
scented to me and have decided upon the
tmerits OF every application in obedience