The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-01-19
General Assembly.

General Assembly.
The appropriation bills. now vastly
increasing. which will he submitted
to you. win doubtless he carefully
considered and scanned. Our dis
hurSen,ents should never exceed our
resripts, for IL State, like an indi-
vilual. should not pay out more
than it gets. thus fostering extrava-
ganee AMI waste. And in view OF our
present financial condition, and what
may l,e our speedy needs. only a suf-
ficient amount should be granted to
our State institutions tO adequately
maintain them, economically man.
aged. These institutions ask this
year for 81, 800, 900. whirh is in ex-
cess Of their last appropriation
1867, 900, and which. il allowed,
makes our disbursements greatly ex-
ceed our revenue.
Our tax payers are not niggar1ly,
they will never object to supplying
all'the necessary wants OF our insti-
tutiol,s, or in paving salaries sufii-
cent to support all State officers in
properly and b.4omingly dis.'har.ying
their duties, but they demand rigid
economy in all things, and, therefore,
l suggest to the management Uf
our various institutions that they
do not ask allowances. based on
not what they can use. but upon
what il absolutely necessary for the
proper maintenance Of their respec-
tive institutions. They should send
in their reports, and then without
lobbying or unduly pressing their de-
mands, leave the amounts to be given
to the wisdom and patriotism Of the
Legislature. 1t might be wise for the
General Assembly tO require of the
Governor, before submitting his mes
sage, to visit all State institutions,
to the end, that after personal mves-
tigntion. he could better speak Of
their needs and management. The
little costs incident to such visits
would he more than saved by the
knowledge acquired and furnished to
the liw-making power.
PardOns.
In exercising the pardoning power
justice will be tempered with mercy
and every case considered on it's
merits. The Executive. however, is
only Il coordinate branch OF thegov-
prnnent, and. therefore, will not At
tempt to usurp or review the acts of
the judiciary, and knowing, az l do,
the wisdom, fairness and tenderness
with which our judges administer the
law, shall deem it wise and right
when a Judge. grand jury and petit
Jury and the Supreme Court pro-
noume a person guilty, to he very
slow to disturb this Judgment, unless
Oh consideration of matters arising
after the trial, and will never do 40
without first consulting the trial
Judge and sOliritor The ecOnstitutiOn
of North Carolina recognizes conai-
tional pardons, but to this day no
Il lfTf@ti"1 tett has sss Rfsq Is Ss4ae's sa tS Eys
in wisdom, and should commend
itself to the thoughtful Consideration
of the Legislature.
General Assembly.
Upon you. gentlemen of the General
devolve most grave and
important duties. Fresh from the
people in whom our constitution
vests all political power, you know
their wants. and l feel that the Inem-
i,ers now sitting will be sufficiently
brave, broad-minded and patriotic
to meet every difficulty and over
come every obstacle that stands in
he way of the upbuil,ling and better
mpnt of our State. Your power is
truly great, and should be exercised
wisely an,I with discretion. for you
..an enact, amend. suspend or repeal
all laws, thus having in your keeping
the veal or woe of the State.
Matters of appropriation. increasf
of salaries, settlement OF the State I
debts. amendments tO school and
revenue laws. a legalized primary
law, the temperance and divorce
questions and a stronger and mor'
stringent vagrant law, laws to hplI
the old Confederate veterans; these
and much more, will doubtless b
considered by you with patience ant
wisdom, and such laws enacted a
public necessity require.
As chief OF the Executive Depart
rnpnt it is made my duty to co-Oper
ate with the other branches OF TIN
State government. in all that tend
to the States welfare. With no dc
sire to infringe upon or usurp any &
the prprOgatives vested in the Othe
two branc.s, will strictly adhere t
my duties. aud from time to time ir
form the General Assembly OF tn
affairs of the State and recOmmen
| to it such measures sis to me- stAem e,
pedient and best. Whether the Legi,
h,ture rejects or adopts my suggr'
tions il II matter for its wisdom. bu
~ the Chief Executive Of the State
will enforce the laws you enact, an
the strictest accountability. / hop
To freely confer with your member
at all times. and on all subjects, an
l respectfully teuder to you ac,.ess t
tie papers. records or informatiO
po>s4's<ed by this office wllirh Inigl,
help in your Investigations or aid i
the proper enactment of laws
Elevated by the people to the pos
tion Of Chief Magistrate and lOvin
my State devntedly, it will be m
honest pleasure. AMI desire to cor
serve it's lest and highest intere-s,
Mi<takes | will doubt less make, an,
often my be-. endeavor- may prov
my worst failures. ! have taken
solemn oath To perform the duty G
this high Office, aud 70 keep that Oatl
will t~ my one purp ,se and constan
prayer. feel deeply the responsi
biiity / have assumed, and beg tn
hearty support Of all who love tn
STATE and rrioice i'm it's sucress. I'm
stand that some fear because a zeal
ou. partisan. l will prove n partisa1
| Governor. Ihav- indeed little resprc
for II man TINT il not positive in hi
political belief. or is ashamed of hi
party; am u Democrat from prin
cipla; l love my party. and will bot