The news & observer., 1905-01-06
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

Elsewhere we print in today's pa
per the full text of Governor Ay-
cocks last message TO the General AS
semby. 1t will be read today with
interest and approval by thousands OF
people in North Carolina. 1t will be
read next year with as much interest
and more approval. Fifty years
hence the recommendation in regard
TO the most important features ap-
proved in the message will be quoted
as authority, for it is so clear. cour-
ageous, and wise a document that 1t
will have lasting effect upon public
opinion and upon legislation in North
Carolina.
When Governor Aycock was inau-
surated there was a large deficit in
the Treasury and for the first two
years of his administration he was
confronted with difficult fiscal prob
lens. 1t was necessary to issue bonds
10 pay this deficit and to provide
better and juster revenue to pay the
necessary expenses of government. To-
day there is q balance in the state
Treasury Of $339,6S3.30 and the reve-
nu law on the statute books provides
ample revenue for the growing needs
Of the State Appropriations for educa-
tion. for ex-Confederate soldiers and
for the insane have been largely IN
creased to the credit and honor Of the
administration.
The assessment of railroad property
for taxation was $33,619.S60 in 1898.
It has been increased to $70,629.525.
During that PERIOD the earnings OF
railroads in this State have increased
over eight million dollars SO that the
Increased assessment has not been un-
Just to the railroads. Indeed the as
sessment is still too low when the
earnings and cash value of stocks
and bonds are considered. The Gov
ernor rings clear upon giving the Cor
poratson Commission ample power to
secure better railroad service and ever
lastingly right in attributing many of
the railroad accidents 10 the physical
condition OF raliroad employees VINO
without the opportunity to rest. This
injury to the public and to the rail
roads demands proper legislation.
The South Dakota ligitation is
plainly reviewed. The Governor ap-
proves the declaration of the Demo-
cratic State Convention that The
Democratic party approves the settle
r1A,>
oppose any and all attempts from any
quarter to set aside the settlement
then made With referenc to the
Judgment in favor of South Dakota
he says he has reason to believe that
.'the judgment may be settled for a
much less sum than $27, and
points out that "if the stock was sold
and brought its full market value un-
impaired by the prior lein it would
not bring more than s17,500, or not
more than two-thirds of the judg-
ment' The State will pay the pound
of flesh but it will resist the contem-
plated shedding OF one drop of Chris
tian blood.
The educational policy of Governor
Aycoclx has given glory and honor 10
the Commonwealth 1t will remain
the chief pride of the administration.
He counseIs going forward until all
the children are educated, in strength
ening and enlarging all our institu-
tions of learning. .He deprecates any
agitation of division of the school
fund between the races in any man.
ner different from that now in oper-
alton, and points out the strong OBJ
jections against such a course.
The supreme duty of this Legisla-
ture is to make such additions TO the
hospitals that room may be found for
ali the insane now in jails, aims
houses or confined in the homes of
those unable to pay for their care
and treatment in private hospitals The
Governor emphasizes the requirement
of the Constitution and declares
there ought to be ample provision
made for the care of all the INDECENT
insane To that end the hospital au-
thorities ought to be forbidden TO
take inebriates who ought to be sent
TO Keeley Institute and no pay pa
tients should be taken to the exclu-
sion Of the INDECENT.
The Governor pays a brief and
beautiful tribute to the ex-Confeder-
ate soldier and reioices in the fact that