The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-01-12
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY.

The report OF the Oyster Commit
sioner herewith transmitted tor your
consideration will glyo you such 1actS
in connection with those already
known to you as will enable you to
properly legislate upon the subject OF
fish and oysters. These industries
ought to be carefully safeguarded both
a. the means of revenue for the peo-
p!e engaged in the business and as q
source of revenue to the State. This
subject ought to be carefully consld-
cred and harmonious, simple and Oh
fectiye eystem provided by which
these industries could be enlarged and
perpetuated.
| ATLANTIC AND NORTH CAROLINA RAIL
| ROAD.
Early in the past year while several
rrooosltions to lease this road we're
being considered by me, upon appllca-
ton Of a person who was not STOCK
holder and who rever bad been a
stockholder, but had merely entered
into a contract to buy sock in said
road, ard upon his unsupported al
legation that the road was be-
ing mismanaged, this valuable prop
erty in which the State owns two
thirds of the stock, was thrown into
the hands of a receiver by the judge
q. the Federal Court without notice
to the State or any real stakeholder.
An investigation into the facts OF the
case had before the Chief Justice OF
North Carolina, at my instance, re-
suited In showing that the plaintiff
did not own the stock and that his
contract to purchase was at price
more than twice the then value OF the
stock When these facts were made
to appear the suit was dismissed by
the court and the road restored to its
O vners. Subsequently another bill
was filed in the same court in the
name of a former stakeholder who at
the time OF the filing of the bill did
not control his stock. He claimed to
own only thirty-seven shares, which
even at par would not pay the expense
of law suit in the Circuit Court Of
tie United States Alter much ex-
ipense to the State and the road, this
second suit was finally dismissed and
tie road has been leased by the pr.
vate stockholders and the State to the
Rowland improvement Company for 8
period of fifty years. It Is doubtful
if 80 long lease can be made under
the charter OF the road and provision
, was made in said lease covering thi'
jubt. The charter of the Atlantic
and North Carolina Railroad does no
run for the length Of time that th'
lease is intended to run. I therefore
recommend to your honorable body thu
extension of the time of the life OF thu
, charter of the Atlantic and NORTH
Carolina Railroad and If need be, .
confirm alton of the lease which ha
been consummated. The terms Of th'
lease are set out In the report of TIT
president and the board OF director
OF the Atlantic and North Carolin,
o. Railroad. / regard the lease as a YER,
= valuable one to the State, relieyin,
. her of all difficulty in managing
q railroad and bringing in annually
q reasonable revenue, The Jesse has se
y to work diligently to improve the roa
= and 1t is gratifying to be able to "a
h that he is doing much to develop tn
property and the section of countr
: through which tho road runs. Will
the suits affecting this road we're 1
progress an on account ct charge
OF Encouragement which has bee
= alleged by the complainant, I cause
IL a thorough investigation into the a
x fairs of the road by commute al
y PONIES by me. That report her
With transmit. am gratified that til
II report shows that there was no co
, rupt conduct on the part of apybod
g connected with the affairs of the roa'
IA LYNCHINGs.
IL It is gratifying to be able to repo
VI to you that lynchiugs during the pa
~ two years have been far less freque1
N in this State than during the precedin
10 two years. am led to hope that Y
l. are close to the time when lawlessne
8 shall 60 from among US. The be
~ way to safeguard society is for goe
IL people themselves to obey the law.
" know OF no teaching go effective wi,
as themselves as the ready submission
D. law by the best people. We cam
stop crime by committing it; we ca
not teach obedience to law by di
n ooes ing it !; We cannot preserve ord
IN by the means OF a mob.
be We dis'ranchlsdd the negro on Il
is distinct ground that with him as
voter we could not preserve peae
e quiet and order. In doing this i,