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

the message of Governor Aycock to the
General Assembly. 1t was read in both
houses yesterday. 1t will be read today
by thousands of people in North Caro-
lima.
Though not his first message to the
Legislature, it is the first rendering an
account of the affairs of State by the
present Governor. Just two years ago he
was inaugurated Governor. The period
embraced by his administration has been
marked by peace, prosperity, good gov
eminent. freedom from political, religious
or economic disturbance. For the first
time in ten years the Legislature meets
with no problem except the problems in
cident to times of peace and quiet For
ten years the Legislators have witnessed
grave constitutional questions. Happily
these are behind us, and the legislators
of 1903 can calmly consider questions of
education, taxation, the care of the I'M
fortunate classes, the protection and care
of life and property, the advancement OF
prosperity and temperance, and the other
measures that will contribute to the bet
terment of every interest of the State.
Governor Aycock's message will rank
with the ablest State papers of the
States greatest executives. 1t is ex-
haustive, clear, direct, statesmanlike. The
man who reads it carefully WILL have a
good understanding of the affairs of the
State government, its needs, and will be
impressed with the growing strength and
power of the Commonwealth.
OF course the most important problem
is the ever living and ever difficult
problem of taxation. That is rendered
all the more important and pressing now
because the Legislature faces a deficit
of something like three hundred thou
sand dollars. That deficit was known to
the voters of the State during the cam
paign. They know it was incurred:
l. Partly to pay the debts caused by
Fusion rule, and, 2. Partly to provide
four months school in every district ir
the State, to increase the pensions of eX-
Confederate soldiers, and to increase the
capacity of the hospitals for the insane
which this debt was incurred, and have
instructed their representatives TO pro
vide better schools, to care for the I'm,
fortunate classes and provide pension.
for the brave men who responded to the
cali of their State in 1861
The Governor recommends bond issu'
not exceeding $4,000 to pay the deficif
and provide for permanent Improvement
unless the Legislature can provide SOM
better method. Upon the matter of how
to paw the deficit there may be differ
ence of opinion, but there will be nc
difference Of opinion as to assuming the
obligation and providing for its payment
Upon the question of taxation, the
.
method of providing the needed revenue
He endorses the provisions contained IL
the Revenue Act of 1901 as to the taxa
tion of private property and quasi publ
corporations, and enforces his recon
mendation with a sound and convincing
argument. The Legislature will no doub
concur in his wise recommendation tina
the present revenue bill remain I'm
changed, except as to certain necessar!
amendments. The people are acquainted
with the general provisions of the presenl
revenue act 1t is much wiser to retair
changes which experience has shown tt
be needed, than to frame an entirely new
act.
On the topic of education, Governo,
Aycock rings clear. His argument against
submitting constitutional amend
ment dividing the school fund between
the races in the proportion of the taxes
they pay is the argument of a broad
minded statesman. Whatever opinion
may ne entertained as to the justice o
the proposed amendment, one thing is
certain. It's adoption would in all human
probability result in the annulment of thu
suffrage amendment.
The Governor recommends the passag'
of a law absolutely prohibiting the en-
ployment of children under twelve year
of age in factories with An additional pro
vision that no child under the age of four
teen shall work in any factory at night
and after 1905 no child under fourteen,wh
cannot read and write, shall be permitted
to work in any factory. His argument il
support of such a provision IS as souno
as it is brief. He also declares that nc