The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-01-13
Uhe Jtlessrn9cr.
E.tsred at the Postofice at Whining
ton. n. c., as Second-Class
Matter, April iS, 1879.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


Hvered yesterday
Governor Aycock ays that while the
people have been unusually prosperous
and successful in all business pursuits
during the past two years the state
government has been embarrassed ny
want OF sufficient revenue to meet the
appropriations made by the last legis-
lature. He calls TO the legislators at
tention the fact that it will be their
duty to provide for 1his deficiency ana
to devise Ways and means for raising
sufficient revenue for state purpose
without placing onerOus burdens upon
the people and their property. Uned the
new assessment Of property TO be male
this year, he thinks the present reve-
nue and machinery acts. with a few
notifications, will raise the necessary
funds The proper adjustment OF tax
alton so that the burden shall fall
equally upon all and in proportion TO
their ability to pay he declares, is d
difficult, almost impossible, task. He
approves the present law for taxing
railroads and thinks it is as fair as
oOAIQ De OcbISeu, JUN O"d ~ NOA-
porations and the tangible property in
the hands OF individual taxpayers.
There IS much other property in the
state which is not assessed at its true
value. The revenue and machinery
acts of the last Legislature are amply
sufficient for the needs of the state,
and the governor recommends that
they be continued in force, with the
notifications suggested by the treas
Rrer and the auditor. All that is lacking
rs a fair valuation of the taxable prop
erty of the state, to give ample reve-
nue..
The governor explains the nature of
the suit against the state by the state
of South Dakota and points out the
danger a decision against our state
would be to her and all other states
which had outstanding obligations. 1t
is a new question and one of great i'm
p~ortance.
The report of the state tax commits
sion is recommended to the careful
study of the legislators. Attention is
called 10 some important reCOmmen-
datiOns made. He endorses the recon-
m%endatIon of d tax for state purposes
On distilleries and rectifying establish
meats. The other changes in the LAW
he neither endorses nor rejects, but
simply urges a close study of them.
On the subject of education the gov
ernor, OF course, has a great deal to
gay. He makes d lengthy argument
against the proposed amendment to the
state constitution for applying the
school tax paid by the white people to
the education of white children and
mat by the negroes to the education
of their children. In addition to such
action being unjust, he points out how
it would jeopardize the franchise
amendment to the constitution.
He has high praise for our state uni
Versity and the good it is doing and
recommends provision for certain
needs pointed u in President en-
abIe's report. Governor AycOck be
HeYes in making the university q great
state institution as every man h
takes interest and pride in his state
should.
The State Normal and Industrial COX
Iege and the Agricultural and Mechani-
cal college are referred 10 in terms of
praise and qualification at the success
they have attained and the good they
are doing to the state. The demand for
admission to both has outgrown their
capacity and enlargement is necessary.
The governor makes very favorable
mention OF the condition OF the states
charitable institutions. He thinks the
course of the managers of the deaf
mute and blind Institutes in laying be-
fore the parents of unfortunate chill
dren the necessity of their being sent
to school will obviate the necessity of
a law compelling attendance, such as
has been adopted in many states. He
urges provision for increased accom-
mediation in the insane asylums. He
recommends other improvements at
these institutions.
On the question Of child labor in fac
tories the governor says the state has
h right and it is also it's duty to look
after the welfare OF the children. and
' NAANAA - III III DCCH
or mind by too onerous or unhealthy
kinds of work. He declares the time
seems TO be ripe for some legislation on
II subject of child labor in factories.
and he recommends stringent legisll-
ton.
He recommends to the legislators
~~discussiOn and deliberation'' of the
question of regulation OF the hours Of
labor. The state has the right to regu-
late the hours of labor and the gov
ernor thinks the legislature should
pass a law limiting to eleven hours a
days work in factories.
The gratifying announcement is
made hat the p~enitentiary is now self
supporting and will need no ~appropria-
ton.
On the subject of pardons the gov
ernor refers TO the many adverse criti-
cisms on his action, but feels that he