The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-01-15

usefulness. Our people must be for
many years largely engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits. Hence we should fos-
| ter all institutions looking to their bet
! terment
DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION At
MORGANTON.
| This institution has done in the past
two years the best work since it's or
| ganization. here are now in attend
ance two hundred and thirty-seven
deaf children. superintendent Good
| win after careful investigation is Of
opinion that there are four hundred
| and fifty deal children in the State
who ought to be In the school. To get
them into the school without d com
| pulsory law can only be accomplished
awakening interest among all our poo
pie in the education CT this class Of our
citizens; Every community ought to
see 10 1t Is far as possible that the
deaf children shall have the benefits of
the excellent training given at this In
st1tGtion. Many Of the children there
are heing taught to speak and to read
| what he says from the lips CT the per
son with whom they talk To what ex-
tent this can be carried is not yet Ger
tain. but the problem is being worked
Gut carefully and scientifically. and SO
far with excellent results. The BOYS
and girls who complete the course at
this institution b'scome almost without
exception self-sustafning. The State
engages in no greater work than the
teaching e these unfortunates, and
am sure it viii be gratifying for @2u
to know that nowhere are the children
better taught. Our Deaf and Dumb In
stituticn ranks with the best in the
v'crld: You will fad in the Report OF
the Directors, the Superintendent. and
other otffce Of the Institution full in
formation as to the work accomplish
ed and TIE needs for the future.
DEPA 3TMENT OF STATE.
The Governor praises the work done
by the Secretary of State, and says he
needs Cur assistance during the session
Of the Legislature.
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The work Of the Treasury depart
ment is fully set forth in documents
accompanying the message.
AUDITORS DEPARTMENT.
The Auditing department is covered
by reports submitted with message.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
This department is fully covered by
accompanying reports.
THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
This board has done excellent work
d!,ring the past two years extending
the scope of its usefulness as the needs
of the State manifest themselves. I
transmit herewith the report of the
Commissioners CT Agriculture and
commend the same to your careful con-
sideration. ! concur in the fecommen
(aiiEnS therein made.
THE North CAROLINA CORPORA
TON COMMISSION.
This commission is doing work Of far
more value to tie State than is general
~ understood and it's beneficial results
would be greatly enlarged if the people
in the State understood that all COM
plants made to TIE Commission in re-
ference to any matter in regard to
transportation whether OF persons or
of property will receive a prompt and
careful investigation. II those who are
disposed TO complain about the Com
mission would complain to it much
good would be done. During the
past year the passenger rate was made
the same On the branch lines Of the
Southern. Atlantic Coast Line and Sea-
board Line railroads as heretofore ex-
isted on the main lines. This reduc-
tiCn in itself amounts to consldeiS-
able sum to the travelling public. The
reports accompanying this Message set
out in detail the work Of the Commits
sion for the past two years.
CHILD LABOR.
The Governor argues that the State
has right to regulate the working CT
children in mills and factories, and
should exercise this right by wise leg
i,sIation.
PENSIONS AND SOLDIERS HOME.
During the past two years the State
Las paid CIT to the soldiers and
Widows III pensions $3.50, 597 so, and in
the support of and additions to the
Soldiers Home $100000. 1t is admit
ted that North Carolina sent more sol
diers to the Confederate Army than
any other State. The amount paid to
the widows Of these soldiers and to the
survivors of that gallant army must
appear to everyone pitifully small.
These old men and the widows of those
who have passed away have been much
honorel on the platform and in the
press and the State has done what she
has felt able to DO to make their lives
more pleasant as they approach the
end. The debt which we owe to them
can never be paid. The sum which we
pay to them is but a small part of that
which Fey merit Their bitter neces-
sites will appeal to you and / cannot
doubt that such provision will be made
as you find the State able to bear.
CTLLOWHEE HIGH SCHOOL.
This school located in Jackson Coun-
ty en- Cullowhee Creek. tributary CT
Tuckaseege River. is doing most eX-
Callent work at extremely small cost.
During the past year l had the pleas
ure of visiting this excellent school and
inspecting the work there being done.
l know of no investment which the
State has made in the way of Isluca-
ton which has brought larger results
in proportion to the amount expended.
\ full report of it's condition and work
will appear from the accompanying
documents.
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND
MECHANIC ARTS FOR THE
COLORED RACE AT GREENS
BORO.
commend to your careful considera-
ton the strong and clear report of the
Board of Directors Of this Institution.
This board has been confronted with
many difficulties. When they took
charge of the institution it's plans were
found to include too large a literary
course and too small agricultural and
industrial courses. With view to
cD, t1r