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

ment and of the want of sufficient food
and ralment. By these Investigations
the authorities have been informed Of
their duty to the afflicted and to those
confined in prison, with the result that
there is a constant lettering of the in
situations aving the care of these peo-
pie. Mr.. c. B. benson, the efficient Sec
rotary of the board, has devoted him
self to this great and good work, and
1t 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.
BOARD OF 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
cop of the report of the board Of ex-
aminers of state institutions. This
board was created by the last general
] assembly and the report shows the re-
suit of its first work. Full and detail
ed information in regard to each Of
the institutions Investigated is to be
found in said report, together with the
recommendations of the board for leg
iSlation.
PARDONS.
Accompanying this message WILL be
oNaAiN SS SduliOo ny AK
a list of the %pardons, combinations and
reSpiteS together with the reasons
therefor. 1t will be found from this list
during the past two years l have par
doned one hundred and thirty four
people and committed the sentence OF
twenty-six. Much unfavorable criti-
cism has been passed upon frequent
exercise Of the power which the con-
Stitution gives me in this respect. It
is possible that in a few instances I
have made mistakes OF judgment and
in 4 very few / may have been i'm
posed upon by Misrepresentation.
During the vast two years there have
been 12,109 convictions in our supeior
courts. 1t will be observed, therefore,
that | have pardoned and committed
one and one-third per cent. of those
convicted. 1niS percentage is less than
that of several of my ablest, wisest and
most beloved predecessors. The action
of those who have gone before me and
have retired from office with the plau-
dts of their fellow citizens is a rea-
sOnably safe guide for me. l do not
hesitate to say, however, that l have
not been controlled by their action,
but in each case have carefully ex-
amined all the facts presented to me
and v decided upon the merits of
every application in obedience to my
sworn obligation, with respect for the
authority of the law and with a gen.
uine love for humanity. The task has
/ - have we" found p'G more cause Uns; f for
regret in the pardons which my
conscience compelled me to refuse
than in the pardons and commutations
granted. I have not been unmindful of
the criticism of my action in regard to
this matter, but | have been unable to
find it consistent with my duty to let
criticism interfere with the highest
power vested in me by the constitution
and fhE state Tho nyyQ 70 nnt in
wolves a duty and that duty by the
suffrage Of the people has been re-
posed in me. I should be unworthy of
their respect n too cowardfy to be the
governor of so good and just a people
II, in fear of their criticism. / should
let one man undergo further punish
ment when my reason and conscience
tell me he has been sufficiently pun
ished. Punishment is for the reform
Of the prisoner and for example to 9TH
ers disposed to offend against the law.
When these two purposes have been
fulfilled suffering on the part Of the
prisoner becomes an injustice and so
long as l remain the governor of this
state, suffering shall have a hearing
and those who have been chaStened
sufficiently, shall go free.
THE SALE AND MANUFACTURE
: OF LIQUOR.
For many years the legislatures of
this state haVe step by step narrowed
the limits in which liquor could be sold
? and manufactured until at the present
time this business cannot be carried on
IN half or he counties Of the state,
while more than tWo-thirds of the
counties lave either by county or leg
, islative action restricted the sale to
Incorporated towns. No good reason IS
apparent why the legislature should
not in all the counties apply the re-
. striction which today exists in more
=, than two-thirds of them. This should
be done for the reason that in the
country there is no police supervision
, Of the conduct of the business. Those
who live in the country have no pro-
lection from the evil results growing
out of the manufacture and sale OF
liquor. In many places the laWless-
, ness due to this business has driven
!, good people, who preferred to live on
their farms, into the towns for safety.
l recommend, therefore,. that a gen
G eral law be passed prohibiting the
T manufacture n sale of liquor
r throughout the state, save in incor-
pOrated towns. The manufacture of
liquor even in incorporated towns
q should be subject to the same
restrictions that now apply to the
I sale. If your honorable body should
6 pass this law l believe that you would
o see gOOd results from it in the near
future and your action would meet with
q the approval OF the best citizens of the
f state. In passing a statute on this
: subject care should be taken to avoid
! restoring the manufacture and sale of
: liquor where it is now prohibited by
G law. Stringent provisions should be
n made to prevent the operations of
= blockade stills. The state should no
longer depend upon the federal gov
n eminent to suppress this evil business.
LYNCHINGS.
n
d During the past ten years there haze
been eight ly%nchings in the state:
i three for murder, one for attempting Il
= poison; three for rape, and one FOR as
sault with intent to rape. The crimes
for which punishment has thus been
: summariiy dealt out are in themselves
: shocking and calculated to arouse the
d just indignation, not to say the pas
le sions, of the people. But I am per
l. suadad thai ly~nchings are out of pIi &C