The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-01-12
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
from Third Page

lj;VEkNUk j MEDDAdE.
Continued from Third Psge)
these Youths to such Punishment as Is
now provided by law. They are, there
tore. AZ a rule, turned loose upon so
c,et. with their sensibilities blunted,
their tear of tho law lessened and
the temptation to commit crime IN
creased by their exemption from pun
iahu ant and control. 1t is not needful
that any large equipment should De
furnished with which to begin the re-
forn tory IS 1t il better to Develop
"a q, ,erience shows the need, than to
cres e with an abundance OF money
a completely equipped institution at
once. Many religious societies and a
great number of individuals who,
npdsr the tutelase of the Christian re-
hcicn, are constantly taking thought
for others, have from time TO time
called my attention to the need OF a
reformatory and have no doubt Will
present to you any further reasons
which may be necessary to convince
you # the propriety OF action on your
part in this direction.
TIE directors of the penitentiary have
very generously suggested the taking
OF s .OOOO OF their surplus earnings tor
the establishment Of reiormatory
The. have conceived the idea that II
Won i be good thing for the funds
earned by the hardened criminals to
he converted into use in the saying
of tie youthful who have been tempted
into committing crime. The sentiment
IA fine one, and I am certain that
you will appreciate the action OF thi'
board and recommend this course. ]
concn- most earnestly in their recon-
mer !aticn AID seize this occasion te
express ma deco appreciation OF the
wise management which the directors
and the superintendent, one and all
hays given to the penitentiary, thereby
eoatiing them to make this generous
suxs .stion to your honorable body.
THE FENITFNTIARY.
This Institution remains seif-sus
tanning and is gradually adding te
its surplus. 1t has now on hane
SIS. ,GS4 and will need no appropria
ton Tor the next two years. 1t is abl'
at p, esent to pay for the State farm
and Eolds bonds of the State in al
amc..nt sufficient for this purpose, bu
is Unable to redeem said bonds tie
cause they are not yet due. The in
tercst on the bonds is of course pay
abe low to the penitentiarY and OF
sets the Interest which the peniten
tia-y is charged with By reason o
the issuance Of said bonds. It is no
improper for me to call your attention
to TIE TACT that since so great NUM-
Der + criminals in the State are nov
sent need to the roads, tho number il
the penitent!ary is constantly decreai
ing o those who are unable to worl
con- ntIy increases, because the coun
ties 10 not care to have invalids sen
ii to work on the roads. IT thi
policy is to continue it will bo lmpos
sibie or the peniientiary to continu
to make a profit. It is extremeI
doubtful, in my opinion, whether
mar can be sentenced to work on til
pub ic roads and wear stripes for
simple misdemeanor. If The la,
should finely be held to be as I SUI
ges. uGr rod work would be niue
emb !rrassed. 1t Is we'll for the LIE,
islature to carefully consider this po
sibiiity.
PARDONS.
A. required by law, I transmit her
witt the list OF pardons, Communication
and leprieves granted by me durln
the asst two years, together with m
reasons thereof. The number OF pa
done is quite large, but Is no great'
thar in my judgment, after most car
ful examination, is proper. We ha,
sixteen Superior Court judges
this State OF different Temperament
and opinions to each OF whom
granted large discretion airy power
the imposition of punishment. 1t
not to be supposed that each of the
imposes the same punishment for Il
same offense even where the circun
stances are identical. 1t Is in reco
milton of this fact, and others, til
the hardening power is placed by o.
constitution in the hands OF the Go
ernor. Punishment ought as near
may be to be equa! where the circul
stsnces are alike.
TIE OXFORD ORPHAN ASYLUM.
The Oxford Orphan Asylum CONT
ues Its excellent work for the orph
children OF the State. 1t merits t
continued support of the State It
doin, the best work in it's history.
OXFORD ORPHAN ASYLUM FOR TIL