The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-01-15

a CIIo 1Iolll IleSSdSeI
10 the Honorable, the General Assem-
bly, OF North Carolina:
You meet today under most favor
able circumstances. Never before was
the state in such a prosperous condi-
ton, and its increase a~griculturally,
lndustrlally, educationally and moral
~, has been phenomenal,
Since the general assembly last met
crops ave been generally good and
nave brought prices above the aver
age, so that our farmers are i'm rood
cohdltlon and out of debt, and their
lands much enhanced in value. New
enterprises have everywhere sprnnc
lnto existence, and the rattle of the
loom, the hum of machinery and the
scream of the steam whistle make
sweet music to the industrial ear. To-
day ouH state has taken he second
place in the United States in the MANI
facture of cotton goods and furniture.
n first in the production of plug to-
bacco.
Labor has received good wages. but
there is a great scarcity in every line
OF work, n a growing demand is
therefore being made to devise some
remedy for an increase in laborers,
provided they be of the right kind.
The cause of education has greatly
Good SchoOl-houses and
equipment, a higher grade of teachers
longer terms, and a more general i'll
terest In school work, are evidences
on an educational awakening that
promises great things for the future.
The moral 4ronl hnc o-ol,oF1. l-..
onward and upward, until today orr
people were never more Industrious or
sober, OF took a greater interest in
things religious.
Providence has been truly bountiful
in the gifts it has bestowed on our
state. Our soil produces every variety
of crops, and either is already. or can
by fertilizing, be easily made o pro- |
ductive. We still have on our noun |
tains, hills and swamps, large quan;i- |
ties OF ala kinds of timber, while our |
Watef-pOwer is unlimited, and avail
able to operate every class of machin- |
cry. Our drinking-water is pure and
Wholesome. No cyclones, billiards, or |
earthquakes ever trouble US, and our |
people are generally healthy, active, |
and wide-awake to their op]pOrtuni-
ties.
The credit of the state is first class; |
we practically owe nothing. as our
assets are in excess Of our liabilities.
and there now seems no further danger
Of u being harassed by conspirators
seeking to vex us with suits on old re-
pudlated bonds, as the governors IF
sister states refuse to lend themselves
to such fraudulent and mercenary
schemes.
All of these blessings and material
tend to advertise our state, and
towards it every kind and class
Of people, both those seeking healthy
cheap. and happy homes, as we'll as
those desiring good investments: and
the outlook, therefore, for a high class !
immigration is very f1attering.
AS TO whether this prosperity will
continue, and the state during the
next TWO years go forward in material.
educational. and moral growth. depends
very largely on your action.
Important matters will come before
that VIII test your patriotism,
your intelligence, and your integrity
l ave no fear but that YOU will
prove yourselves equal to every de-
mand made upon you. n with an
eye single to the upbuilding of the
ot<dlc, dLu the SpoIN vi HOu, Will 1CII-
lessly and conscientiously discharse
your duty.
TAXATION.
No subject will come before YOU
ut this session fraught with more vital
to the state than the devising
Of a proper scheme for ascertaininc
he true value of all property in the
to the end that each individual
'r county, by proper taxation, shall ]
)ear his Or its part of the states b2r- {
len. and that there be no false valu- /
ltion or unjust discrimination. !
The constitution, Art. V, Sec g.,
provides that laws shall be passed
axing by a uniform rule all moneys
redits, etc., and also all real and per- t
property according to it's true
in money; and yet this simple b
MT vital provision is universally vio- I;
lted both in the assessments not being Fl
inform. nor according to their true r,