The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1907-01-15
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

generation mas been heard in the Cen
@ral Assembly 50 intentIy as the one
delivered in person by Governor Glenn
yesterday. Interest was quickened BY
reason Of the announcement that he
Governor would read his message him
self and further heightened b. the
protests to the innovation made in the
House by some Of the prominent mem
bers of that body.
The keynote Of the message was
optimistic and patriotic. II began
with rejoicing in the progress Of the
State in every department, in express
sion Of qualification in the good gov
and the clean administration
of public affairs. In private affairs
and public the State holds an envia-
bic position, and the Governor uses
these to counse such wise action as
will continue and multiply these
blessings. He points out the need Of
valuing property at its true value and
sums w. his discussion Of tax assess
ment with this true maxim: a faiI
valuation and a low rate are what are
necessary to get more people and out
side capital, while a low rate and high
valuation brighten away both the
homeseekcr and capitalist" This nat
urally leads up to immigration and
the Governor recommends that an eff
fective department be added, the S10,-
600 funds necessary coming from the
funds of the Agricultural Department
He says the present enforcement of
vagrancy laws is "a perfect farce and
adds that Putting these idlers to work
viii be a great stride toward answering
the vexed' question as to where b
is to come from There is need of
more folks in North Carolina and the
success of South Cardinals recent eff
forts 10 secure desirable immigration
should North Carolina to
make practical efforts to get desirable
immigrants. Whether the money
should come from the common treas
ury or from the Agricultural Depart
ment fund, as recommended by the
Governor, is q matter of much less
moment than that proper steps should
be taken along conservative and we'll
directed lines to secure a share of the
best class of immigrants who are look
ing for places where they can buy
lands cheaply.
The Governor urged the General
Assembly not to adjourn until they
have reduced railroad rates and made
q strong argument for such reduction.
In his written message he named q
common rate of two and a half cents
a mile as the rate he would recon-
mend. but in his extempore remark
he advised that legislators inform
themselves and vote for such reduc-
ton as would leave a fair return or
the money invested. He urged laws
that would end so many wrecks and
Inconvenience people by poor sched-
u!es, and the comforting Of greater
power on the Corporation Commission
to see that the law is enforced.
Upon insurance the Governor shows
that the state pays out annually oven
six million dollars in premiums and
recommends that legislation be enact
cd TO protect n policyholdcrs. Of
curse the outside companies ought to
be required to invest Ahe net money
they get from North Carolina policy
holders IN state securities ana
oIAi 1919 1otSiS Yin AiD'
be required to give the policy
holders fair treatment. The Governor
two or three specific Sugges>
tons which he believes will prove
beneficial. He is ctcrna!ly right when
he says cit is not fair for them (the
outside c~ompanies) to collect and car
~ away oven six million dollars of
our money to enrich and build up Their
home states at North Carolina's eX-
pcnsc." The Governor. touching upon
the cost of Insurance. suggests legisla-
ton that would reduce rates. He docs
not point out specifically how this
could be done. but there are ways. SO
far as fire insurance is concerned,
there Will never be proper reduction
until the Arkansas. OF Il similar law, is
Enacted breaking up the fire insurance
trust. otherwise known as the South
eastern Tariff Association"
Additional legislation to keep young
children out of the mills and to edu-
cate them is recommended. This is
one of the most important matters be-
fore the Legislature. No girl under
fourteen ought to work in a mill. and
no boy uHUtI lOuIlccI uulllS lut pun
lie school term. In this connection
the Governor touches Upon the ques-
ton of compulsory education and
gives his approval to the wise and con.
sentative compulsory law hat State
superintendent Joyner has prepared.
1t IS a mild and needed step to make
our public schools reach all the chill
dren.
No part of the message contains
more practical wisdom han the sug-
gestion for Il better enforcement of the
criminal law. There is crying need
for rcforms in the law and in the i'd
m~inistation of the law. The recon-
m~endation of enualizinS the nunber
of challenges ought to be adopted.
That measure has been proposed be-
fore but has always been defeated.
The Governors argument in its favor
is unansWerab!e. 1t is good to see,
No., .l-,+ - va tho AirCinjD