The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-10
THE LEGISLATURE OF 1908.

1dG LE01oLAl y hG We Aooo'
The Legislature of 1903 has passed into
history. After sixty days of hard work
for 1t has been working body-it adj
journcd sine die at two o'clock yesterday.
The adjournment was reached after a
satisfactory termination of the labors of
the session. Good feeling reigned SUI
preme. The contests and differences were
forgotten in the general feeling of reJoic-
ing over the reflection that the results
of the session would meet the approval
of the people. No doubt mistakes have
been. The Legislators in some instances
have done those things they ought not to
have done and left undone those things
that they ought to have done. but in the
main moderation. conservatism, wisdom
and progress have prevailed. The statutes
will show that the will of. the people has
been carried out in most particulars.
The marked characteristic of the Leg
islature of 1903 has been it's educational
spirit 1t has done more for public educa-
tion than any previous General Assembly
A multitude of local bills for graded
Superintendent of Public Instruction
were increased for every educational in
stitution in the State; the Office of state
superintendent of Public Instructions
has been elevated by giving higher duties,
increased salary and more clerical as
sistance; two hundred thousand dollars
have been appropriated to insure a four
months school in every school district in
the State: a Permanent Loan Fund of
100000 has been established to assist
weak. school districts in building better
school houses: the rural libraries will
increase in numbers under friendly legis-
lation: and in other ways the party
sacred pledge to advance the efficiency
and usefulness of the public schools has
been faithfully kept. If the administra-
ton of the school law and the school
Iation has been helpful and stimulating
the educational progress of the State will
be the distinguishing characteristic of
North Carolina in this decade
The legislation in other particulars will
be told in detail in the LEGISLATIVE
EDITION OF THE NEWS AND OBJ
SERVER. which will appear next week
Enough now to say that the charter of
railroads, banks, industrial enterprises;
legislation looking to road building and
other public improvements; and statutes
along other practical lines is reflex of
the industrial activity in North Carolina
today.
The honors paid to Lieutenant Governor
Turner and Speaker Gattis were well de-
served Both have not only presided
with ability and fairness, but have been
influential in all proper ways in shaping
legislation in the right direction. They
have in other ways shown themselves wise
legislators, they have added to their rep
utations by the manner in which they
have discharged the duties of their high
and responsible positions. Their strong
common sense, their courtesy and fair
nasst their wise counsel and their whole
some influence have been important fac
tors in bringing about the satisfactory
legislation which will make up the
statutes of 1908.
The people of Raleigh bid the legisla-
tors good bye" with genuine regret For
sixty days they have been the chief part
of its political and social life They
have come in contact with many people
of the capital city. Friendships have
been formed that will brighten and sweet
en- life until the end of the pilgrimage.
Fer them, all the people of Raleigh
have onlya the pleasantest recollections,
and wish for them a happy return to
their homes, and all the blessings that
come to those who have served their
country with zeal and patriotism.
Senator Overmans term began on the
H..