The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-01-09
FRIDAY, JANUARY %, 1903.
THE

In ieRnial session today. 1t VII have
many matters of gerat Importance
to the people to consider and
act upon. 1t is to be hoped that the
members Of that body will recognize
the situation and govern themselves
accordingly. At every session of the
legislature business is clOgged and
valuable Time wasted in the Cons.d ara-
tlon Of trivial matters of local interest
which should not be brought before
this body. The time of committees is
taken up IN considering and hearing
arguments pro and con on. bills which
10 not interest any one outside OF the
township OF precinct to which the sub
5ect matter OF the contention pertains.
and when the bill gets before The
body more valuable time is wasted in
its discussion instead of the matter
being promptly killed. If the consti-
SutionaI provision which prohibits a
governor succeeding himself in the Of
nce were extended TO members of the
legislature We would have less of this
crossroads legislation. We would
have fewer demagogues in that body
fewer men whose whole object while
members is to do something in the
way of local legislation to secure thar
reelection to the next Legislature.
There Is no doubt about it. there is
teo much legislation as well as talk
ing Just for Buncombe" in our leg
islature- Members take up the valu-
able time OF that body, in trivial local
matters in order to make themselves
solid with their constituents. which
should be devoted 10 legislation in the
interests Os the whole state We hope
the present legislature will guard
against this error of the past and get
down - substantial state work from
the start: for if the members do We'll
the work that present conditions CT
pablo affairs and the needs of he
state have mapped out for them they
will 4 their lands full for the next
afxty days to say nothing of the prob
ability Of their having to remain in
session a while after the constitu-
fional Limitation of the per diem has
expired.
OF course the election of a United
States senator is one of the leading
matters before the legislature, though
1t cannot be classed as one of tbs
most important to the state. OF the
candidates., one will do about as well
as another. Any one of them would
yste with his party in the federal son
ate. and no one of them would ave
more influence han any other with
q republican majority in that body or
with the republican administration.
This matter. on account OF the tight
FOR the position among the a%sHirants
Thereto and their friends Will take on
an importance out of proportion to
any real benefit the state viii derive
from the results of the contest.
There are other matters to come be-
fore the Legislature of vastly greater
ONE to- the state han the choice
from among TIE six cand dates for The
Position Of one to represent her
amoaE the minority IF the upper
Rouse of the federal legislative body
Some Of these are:
This question Of taxation and state
revenue To raise funds for paying the
Sos, o1e borrowed by the state treasur-
e. for meeting the current pen IF
the state AID the additional appropIi-
atons made TO the STATE charitable
institutions and public schools. Our
entire taxation system mas got to he
revised and remodeled. More money
has got to BE- raised and means for 50
doing. witsout putting additional bur
dens upon those who now bear the
chief burden of taxation. must be de-
sised. There Is prosperity In This state
cacaping taxation. which. il it cOud
be made 10 bear its share of the eX-
oenses Of the state ana county gov
NTE1lents. would greatly increase the
6EecsUry holdings OF state and cJun-
sies while at the same time the tax
rates could be lowered and the men
who nov bear the heaviest burdens
would have. Them lightened. The state
tax commission IN its annua report
made some valuable recommendations
IN this respect and it is 70 be hoped
the legislature will act upon them.
There must be made provision for
the enlargement of our charitable In
stftutions and for the care of more of
Che unfortunates. Ample provision
must be made for the education of
every INDECENT deaf-mute and blind
child in the state. Our jails and poor
houses must no longer be made The
abiding places of those poor unfortun-
ates who have lost their reason. The
state insane asylums are the pla-e s
for them and there they must be pro-
vtded for.
Something more must be done for
public education. Rural h must
BE- kept open longer. Better teachers