The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1907-01-17
Cooperation C-ommission.

1OCOIUIuGH06 LhAL
the corporation Commission be given
ample powers to regulate complaints
against railroads and other corpora
tons; also that passenger fares be
fxed at 2 IL cents per mile with q
cents mileage fare In books.
insurance Commissioner and Insur-
anee
Since the Insurance Department
was established, the revenue collect
cd from Insurance companies doing
business | n the State has greatly in
creased.
In 1879, the last year under the old
system, the Secretary of State collect
ed taxes to the amount of $S4,ST9.28,
and as his compensation received fees,
and was allowed $1,000 for clerk hire.
During 1905 the Commissioner IF In
Surance collected $205,124.O7 from the
companies, and for the seven years
SINCE the Department was organized,
S1,O46,904.23 has been received, which
makes an annual average of $149,-
543.46. The Commissioner is paid
$4,000 and some fees paid by the in
surance companies, and allowed $1,000
tor clerical. assistance, while If the
old system of fees had continued, it
would have been $50, 283.5O-iust
$o0,OS3.50 more thar under the pres
ent laws. The Commissioner handles
over 100000 each year, and keeps
at least four hundred accounts: vet
has no regular bookekeeper. The
work is growing immensely each wear:
he needs more help, and I earnestly
hope you will allow enough to obtain
the assistance required.
Bureau of Labor and Printing.
Some people seem to think that the
work of the Department of Labor and
Printing does little if any good: but
# they will only remember that it is
the only bureau that gathers statis-
tics from all classes of labor, they will
at once see its utility. The report fur
nlshed me in regard to child labor, and
the views of the people on the subject
OF compulsory education, is more than
worth the small amount we spend for
Its maintenance. / hope each member
Of the General Assembly will care
fully read the Commissioners report.
as it will furnish him with a great
deal of helpful information for use ia
his legislative work.
Vagrancy.
l also urge that the vagrant law be
amended, giving adequate punishment
IN the discretion of the Superior
Court. Migrants furnish a great per
cent. of the burglars, trespassers, muir
derers, etc., proving the truth of the
old adage that can idle brain is toe
devils workshop" Putting these
ldiers to work will be a great stride
towards answering the vexed u
ton as to where labor will come
from.
Agricultural Department.
The Agricultural Department is do
ing good and useful work, and nv
means of its test farms, farmers in
s%tltutes, its Bulletin filled with prac-
tleal suggestions and scientific results,
and its other methods of teaching the
people, a growing impetus has been
given to farming, horticulture, stock
raising, and darying. The amount
collected from the tax on fertilizer has
largely increased and now with its new
facilities, a well-equipped force Of
competent experts and a Suf6cisncy
of funds, still larger benefits may be
expected in the near future.
The State National Guard.
The Guard in some respects is in the
best condition it has been for years.
1t has a beautiful location for q per-
manent encampment at Morehead
City, and will soon have a target
range not equalled by any other State,
save that of New Jersey at Sea Girt.
Heretofore, limited means made our
equipment inadequate. Since the pas
sage, however, Of the two bills by
Congress, known as the Dick bills, II
the Guard will only take care of what
II gets, and not waste and DESTROY its
property, its condition will be in evrv
resepct frst-class.
Pensions.
What do the old veterans needq
From 1861 to 1865, with a voting
population of only $4,000 North
Carolina during the Civil War sent
125,OO0 of the truest and bravest men
to the front. The entire eleven Con.
federate States had killed in battle
1854. Of this number North Caro-
lima lost 1868; and when we add
those who died from wounds and dis
ease, it foots up 1925. Our soldiers
won the right to chisel on their monu-
ments at Appomattox, "First at Beth
Ell, farthest to the trent at Gettysburg
anc Chlcamauga, and last at Apo
mattox." This Is history. These sol
diers were heroes.
Education.
Our State In the last FIVE years has
made rapid strides in educating both
the brains and hands Of our youth.
and every boy or girl in the State
with pluck and energy can get all the
knowledge needed to make them use
full citizens.
Much, however, still remains to be
done, and we should double our ener-