The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-13

should ever pIedGe the credit OF the
state unless authorized by the Legisla-s
ture. IN whom alone is lodged that
r. and ever that great body should
not do 60. unless in extreme cases or
matters OF urgent necessity.
From the mes4ge OF the retiring gov
and the re.c-ts Of the yarlous
departments. after passing the app-o-
priation bills. providing e for the
protection OF the state in the suit oil
South Dakota against North Carroll IA.
and eaacting laws OF general beneht.
there are 10 n1omentous questions af-
fecfing the state demanding the atte@-
ton Of the present General Assembly.
The appropriation bills. now vastly
increasing. which will be submitted u
you will doubtless be carefully constd-
cred and scanned Our Disbursements
should never xcee: our receipts. 70. n
state like an ind .1eual, should not pay
out mere than il gets, thus fostering
extravaganza and waste. And in view
of our present ~i-ancial condition. and
what may be our speedy needs. onsy a
sufficient o should be granted to
our state institutions 20 adequately
maintain them. economically managed.
These institutions ask this year for 81
5q9, 800, which - III excess OF their last
appropriation 500 SEQ. and which. IL al
lowed, makes our disbursements grea.-
" exceed our revenue-
Our tax payers are not niggardly.
they will never object to supplying AL
the necessary wants of our institutions,
or in paying salaries sufficient to sup
port all state officers in properly and
becomingly discharging their duties.
but they demand rigid economy IN all
things. and, therefore, i suggest 10 the
management OF our various institutions
that they do not ask allowances, based
ON what they car use, but upon whit
is absolutely necessary for the proper
maintenance OF their respective insti-
tutions. They should send in their re-
ports. and then without lobbying or
unduly pressing their demands, leave
the amounts 10 be given TO the wisdom
and patriotism OF the Legislature. Il
might be wise for the General Assem-
bly, to require OF the governor, before
submitting his message, to visit AZ
state Institutions, TO the snd, that aft -
personal investigation. he could better
| speak OF their needs and management.
The little cost accident TO such visits
would be NOR than saved by The
knowledge acquired and furnished 10
the law making power.
In exercising the pardoning power
| justice will be tempered with mercy
and every case considered on it's merits.
| The however, is only a CO.
ordinate branch Of the government,
and, therefore will not attempt to
usurp or review the acts of the judic:-
airy, and, knowing as 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 n petit jury and the Supreme
| court pronounces a person guilty, to be
very slow to disturb this judgment,
unless on consideration Of matters aris-
ing after the trial. and will never DC
| so without first consulting the trial
| judge N solicitor. The constitution Of
North Carolina recognizes conditional
parions. but to this day no legislation
has been adopted to give it effect. II
| seems to me to abound in wisdom, and
should commend itself to the thought
full consideration OF the Legislature.
, Upon you gentlemen of the General
! Assembly, devolve MOI grave and i'm
| portant duties. Fresh from the people
in whom our constitution vests all po-
litical power, YOU know their wants.
| and I feel that the Members now sit
/ ting will be sufficiently brave, BROAD
| minded and patriotic to meet every Diff
ficulty and overcome every obstacle
that stands in the way of the upbui:d-
ing N bettermert Of our state. Your
power is truly great, and should be ex-
ercised wisely and with discretion, FOR
| you can enact, amend, suspend or re-
peal all laws. thus having in your keep
ing the veal or woe of the state.
Matters Of appropriation, increase IF
salaries, settlement OF the states debt ;.
amendments to sohoo and revelue
laws, a legalized primary law, the tenn
perance and divorce questions and 4
stronger n more stringent vagrant
law. laws to help the old Confederate
veterans. these, and much more will
doubtless &c conslderd by You with
patience and wisdom, and such laws
enacted As public necessity require.
AS chief Of the executive department
it is made my duty to cooperate with
the other branches of the state gov
in all that tends to the states
welfare. w tn TO desire to infringe
upon or usurp any of the prerogatives
vested in the other-two branches / viii
strictly adhere to my duties, and from
time TO time inform the General AS
sembly of the affairs of the state eLd
recommend to It such measures as 20
me seem e~Npedient and best. Whether
the Legislature rejects or adopts my
suggestions is a matter for its wisdom.
but as the Chief Executive of the stale
1 will enforce the laws you enact. and
III all who refuse to obey them to
the strictest accountability. hope
TO freely confer with your members 1T
all times, and on all subjects, and /
INopSS&4diis SllaS4 ~ yoo aItCcS 10 Ailt
papers, records Or information possess
ed by his office which might help n
your Investigations CT aid in the proper
enactment of laws.
Elevated bv the people to the posi-
ton of Chief Magistrate and loving my
state devotedly, l. will be my honest
pleasure and desire to conserve its pest
and highest interest. Mistakes, I will
doubtless make, and often my best en-
gdeavors may prove my worst failures: ]
have taken a solmn oath to perform
the duty of this nigh office, and 10
keep that oath will be my one purpose
and constant prayer. / feel deeply the
responsibility I have assumed, and beg
the hearty support Of al who love -he
state and rejoice III its success. 1 I'M
derstand, that some fear cat e
jealous partisan, I viii prove a partisan
governor. l have indeed little respec.
for a man that is not positive in his
political belief. Or is ashamed OF his
party; / am a Democrat from principle:
I ove my party. and win both follow