The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-24
THE GOVERNOR SPEAKS
The Rapid Progress of the State
Under the Democratic Regime
Pictured.

kindness approve in terms too strong,
| the little that | might accomplish.
In speaking of the work of the
past administration / shall frequent
ly use the personal pronoun 'I''-not
from any desire to appropriate tbs
work done, nor i trust from any
sense OF vanity. but because of con-.
Venienee of expression. / wish to
say III the beginning that the work
| has not been mine. Whatever good
has been accomplished has had the
whole body of the people behind it
and has had to execute it the united
force of the able, honorable, con-
scientious men with whom | have had
the honor to be associated.
The closing paragraph of the
speech which [ made to the conven-
ton which nominated ne was as fol-
lows: Il shall respect the rights of
property and rejoice in prosperity.
but ! shall not forget that they who
toll, constitute not only the largest
class of our people, but from their
labors can spare little time to urge
their views upon those that they have
chosen to serve them"
That paragraph 1 conceive to rep
resent clearly, if not adequately, the
duty of the public servant in repre-
sentative Democracy.
This administration has sought to
live UP to that declaration.
Tor Soldiers and Widows.
When we came into office we found
that during the first three years of
Governor ttussell'S administration
the old Confederate soldiers ans,
widows had received in pensions only
the sum of 1926, 6,234.25. These men
and women were poor; they were old:
they were needy. Many of them were
actually suffering for the necessaries
of life. They had done the State
much service. No Drawer men had
ever faced death. No truer women
ever suffered with sweeter patience.
The State was poor, and we knew
1T. The treasury was empty, and VIC
realized it; but the duty was upon US
and we faced it.
During the first three years of this
administration we have paid to these
men and women $505, ,015.00. During
the first three years of Governor Rus
selPs administration there was paid
to blind and totally disabled Confed~
crate soldiers S13,S00.00. During the
first three years of my administration
we have paid them $29,026.0G. Dur
ing the first three years of Governor
Russells administration he paid Tor
the Soldiers Home $50, 100000. During
the first three years of my admins
tratiOn we have paid 100000. The
debt has not yet been cancelled. The
obligation still remains. The duty of
making further provision for thase
old and suffering people will have 20
be met as the years go by, and the
burden of bearing the taxation nece:s-
sary for it will be borne with cheer
fulness by every man worthy of Twins
IN the State that furnished the most
soldiers 20 the Southern Confederacy
and did most i'm behalf of the Lost
Cause.
Care of the Insane.
Again we found on entering office
that there We're hundreds of insane in
the State for whom provision had nor
been made. They were il tie poor |
houses, IN jails, in homes where there |
was poverty and want. Their cry
was coming up from all parts of the
state; a sorrowful cry. awakening
emotions of pity and forcing every
tr"e hearted man to seek a way il.
which to provide for them
Again we were confronted with IN
empty treasury; With property assess
ed below its value; with tax rate not
adequate TO the needs, of the govern
ment; but the duty TO provide for
these INSANE people was before Us and
we have partially met it. On Decem
Der Isl, I"Vo, me state was ca ring
for 1,62S insane people; in December.
903. the State was providing for
1923 insane people. The volume OF
the cry of distress has been lessened
but 1t still continues to disturb the
ear and to sadden the heart of the
pitiful.
We have expended for the past
three years for the care of the insane
and for new buildings. 1915. 5.266.95,
for the first three years Of the pre-
eeding administration there was Snent