The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-21
Scnntc Railroads.
As TO INCREASE IN SALARIES.
DIR. john NJ. EsdsOn Opposes il and
Gives His iscasons.

/
To the Editor: The Democratic
people of the state. and more particu-
| larry of this eastern 6 cent cotton belt
are rather surprised ut SO much dis
cuSsion OF Increased salaries ana III
creased expenses of the General AS
sembly in the way Of clerks and help.
The Governors salary was raised
only four years ago. and at the same
time, four new judicial districts were
added to relieve the congested dock
cts of the county courts, and lessen
the duties of these judges and the un-
necessary clerks. help and nepotism of
the Fusion legislature is fresh and
nauseating to the honest people of the
State at large.
The increase of the Governors sal
airy has been most timely and wisely
settled by that unselfish telegram of
Governor Glenn asking for the with
drawal of the bill: and his magnani-
NOUS example is worthy of emulation,
especially when our charitable insti-
tutions. Confederate pensions and the
Soldiers Home, the ignorance of the
white children and the educational in
situations are ali appealing for more
necessary aid, besides the urgent ne
cessity of q rcformatory for youthful
criminals.
That all unnecessary help about the
General Assembly should be dismissed
at once, goes without saying as it is
in no sense in keeping with Demo-
cratic frugality and economy. The
Judges SALARY is now before the Leg
islature with recommendations from
both Governor Aycock and Governor
Glenn for an increase of such salary
Instead Of this increase can anything
be done to lessen the burdensome
duties of holding courts, by way of
relieving congested dockets, thus
shortening the term of courts and
later on having less number of
courts III the several counties of the
State Such can be done and is quiet
ly taking place under the benificent
operation Of the Watts law reinforced
by the present anti-jug state law.
If 30 per cent of crimes in the State
is due to the liquor traffic as the
judges of the State generally charge
their several juries (and they know
best). thus IS per cent at least of such
crime should practically cease under
stringent temperance legis alton prop
erly executed by the courts and Off
GERS of the SeVeralt counties. Such
reduction Of crime would certainly al
leviate the duties of these judges and
make their present salaries common
surate with their lesser duties. Civil
suits would likewise grow less under
cause sobriety. leads to kindness and
forbearance one towards another.
Another factor of crime equally as
apparent to everybody is the present
system of negro education. which, at
it's best as now conducted in the State,
is barely more than fake, leading to
idleness. vagrancy and crime as the
records Of the courts. chain-gangs and
prisons show. Take this public school
fund above what the negro race pays,
and, if it can't be used by the white
children to whom it rightfully belongs
build with it a large reformatory and
buy a farm for youthful Migrants,
crap-shooters and criminals and teach
them how to work on the farm or at
trades, thus giving them industrial
education as we'll as habits of indus
try. which will keep most Of them
from continued future crime.
This will also lessen the number
and length of terms Of county courts
and the duties of the judges, besides
offering the only method of industrial
education that viii educate to habits
of industry.
The results Of the NJ esent temper
anCe legislation are only beginning 20
be felt in the courts in lessenipg their
number and length of courts, and, in
two or four more years, will show
such good results that the judges OF
the state will be more thoroughly
satisfied with their present salaries.
More stringent temperance legisla-
ton is indeed the key note to the sit
uation in this State at present; not
only relieving the courts and their
large criminal dockets, but relieving
the State of the care of such crimi
nails and the tax PAYERS of the cost OF
these long term courts. Only last
week in this (Duplin) county, j. a.
Daniels, q simple minded white man,
whose death sentence was committed
TO life imprisonment, under the iniiu-
ence of "A few drinks Of LIQUOR, had
murdered his neighbor and his trial
had taken up practically two terms OF
court at cost ot probably $2,00O to
the tax payers of this county, besides
the future cost of his life imprison-
ments Hundreds of other cases
throughout the State could be men
toned such as the Bynum murder
trial, now on the docket in Wake
county. More stringent temperance
legislation will likewise tend to empty
our poor houses, 5 per cent Of whom
are the victims of drink, as well as
relieve the rowded-over-cr crowded
asylums Of the State which are appeal
ing annually for larger and larger APP
preparations to meet their absolute
wants.
In view of these facts will the Gen
eral Assembly increase salaries of our
Judges and other State officers, or Will
it's legislation cut the tap-root of vice
and crime insanity and poverty in the
State, which demands increasing sal
aries, larger appropriations and high
er taxes?
JOHN M. FAISON.
Faison, n C.. Jan. 20. 1905.