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

should be made to appear to the court
that in connection with our disfran-
of the negro we had taken
pains for providing to keep him in ig-
then both amendments would
fall together. The amendment ropos
ed is unjust, unwise. and unconstitu-
1t would wrong both races.
bring our state into the condem-
nation Of a just public opinion else
where, and would mark us as a people
who lave turned backwards. The
state of North Carolina a heretofore
enjoyed the distinction OF being first in
those things which look to a larger
and a consequent higher devel-
opment of her people. Let US not seek
ito he the first state in the Union to
make h weak man helpless. This
would be a leadership which could
bring US no honor u much shame. 7
Earnestly hope that no effort will be
to secure the adoption of the pro-
posed amendment. Let US be done with
!this question, for while we discuss it
the white children of the state ara
growing up in ignorance. To secure
the education of all our people is a
great task and we have no time to
waste in discussing impossible
in our constitution. When it
lis finally admitted. az it must be, that
such an amendment cannot stand be-
fore the courts we will have gone a
long way towards solving our educa-
|iional problem. In my Judgment our
does not contemplate a di-
vision of the school fund per capita,
but it IS required that equal facilities
shall be accorded both races. Within
the limits of this Interpretation both
faces can be reasonably educated with
out excessive cost to the white people.
and within this provision we are in no
danger of having our educational sys-
ITEM upset by a decree of the courts.
Education is a matter belonging to
|the states and the funds raised for it
are raised by the states and until it ap-
aff1rmatively and clearly that one
race or the other is denied the equal
protection Of the law the courts will
never interfere with the conduct of our
schools. If there are districts in the
state in which school terms for the ne
gro exceed those for the whites, this
comes about by unwise local manage
Inents. This car and must be RENE
died. Care should be taken by those
charged with the execution Of the law
to provide equal facilities for the white
race as we'll as for the colored race and
If any legislation is needed to secure
this your honora BILE body will have no
difficulty in framing it. The interest in
the cause of education in the state has
increased n we now have
promise OF realizing the highest dream
Iof our fathers. The last general as
Isembly made provision to secure a our
months term of public school in each
school district in the state. We should
mot stop here. There should be a con-
lstant effort to go further. Local tax
Iation should be encouraged. Public
Iopinion should be made strong enough
ITO compel the tendance of the chill
Iiren upon the schols.
THE UNIVERSITY.
The University is justly regarded by
iour people as the head of the public
school system. 1t has ever been dear
TO the hearts of North Ca%rolinians. 1t
has done a great york and is TODAY
doing the greatest work in its history
and has its largest attendance. 1t
touches the life of the state at every
point. It's progress has been steady
and conservative, maintaining it's posi-
jtion of leadership in all matters tend
ling to a larger development of the
state. / commend to your careful on
federation the very able report of Pres
lident F. P. Venable. From this it will
,ppear that there Is a pressing need for
IN chemical laboratory. The depart
lment OF industrial chemistry at our
university stands in the front Of all
Hike departments in the southern states.
lGraduates from 1T hav places awaiting
them upon receipt of their diplomas.
There are a great number of young
linen who desire to take this curse who
are denied the privilege for want of
laboratory room. There are other
needs of the university. I call your at
|~tention to them and commend them to
Your careful consideration.
THE STATE NORMAL AND INDUS
TRIAL COLLEGE.
This institution is certainly of as
much value to the state as any other
lin it. 1t comes close to the lives of our
lpeople in that it educates the women
of the state and with an educated wo-
manhood the children of the next gen.
l~eration will certainly be taught. The
growth Of the State Normal and Indus
trial College has surprised and gratified
1.-THE friends of education here and else
lWhere. It's increased attendance in
lstead of leSsening the attendance upon
1.-THE other colleges for the education Of
women, has increased the patronage Of
lall. More than fifteen hundred young
women have gone out from that insti-
tuition to teach in the public schools Of
1.-THE state and AVE taught more than
lone hundred thousand children. h
Esprit of the college is all hat could be
asked. There is in it a genuine demOc-
Iracy-a desire not only to uplift those
Intending the college, but to extend to
jall people as far as possible the bene-
lifts which they themselves receive.
ISince 1 have been governor of the state
II have visited this college several
times and always with increasing graf
iification. You will find the needs of
1.-The college fully set out in the report
lof the directors and the president ac-
Icompanying the message. Many young