The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-01-21
An Able Discussion Of the Best Interests Of
North Carolina.

ments which appeal to the judgmen
of electors, and these should be tht
source Of success. To partially attain
to this standard and to partially eli
inmate other considerations, the pub
licity, before convention and elec
ton, of campaign funds and the
names of contributors as favored
in the last Democratic platform will
| be effective, and a suitable law
should be enacted to accomplish the
purpose Of that plank. Whether you
favor general mandatory primary
law or not, there are provisions tc
which there may be no opposition
and which ought to be enacted and
made applicable to all counties where
primaries are held. Among these
provisions are the following: First,
delegates should be required to cast
the vote on the first ballot, according
to the primary result. Second, there
should be registered list of party
voters subject to challenge. Third
| the legislature should fix the date Of
primaries for all State, judicial and
congressional offices, and also fix an
other date for primaries for legisla-
tive and county offices, with pro-
vision permitting the county execu-
tive committee in its discretion to
adopt for any county primary the
State and district primary day.
Fourth, all corrupt use of money for
primary effect should be made an
offence against the law. Fifth, when
only one candidate gives notice in
writing of his candidacy to the prop
er executive committee by stated
period prior to the primary day, the
committee should have the legal
power to declare him the party nom
inee. This period should be longer
for State and district than for county
candidates. Sixth, the wiful publ
cation of any false charge concern
ing his political record or rejecting
upon his moral character for the
purpose Of injuring a candidate in
the primaries with the people should
be renalized by law.
PROHIBITION.
The people having, after much agi-
tation and full discussion, ratified by
a large majority State prohibition, |
the Legislature should not seriously
consider any proposition to repeal
the prohibition law. No one doubts |
the right of the people to have their
will in this matter duly, fairly and |
earnestly expressed, to reign as the
law Of our State. Every good citi-
zen; whether he originally favored |
this law or opposed it, should insist
upon its honest and faithful enforce
ment. 1t is an experiment with us,
but no State ever entered upon the
under more favorable
than confront US, and |
trust that unity Of purpose will in
spire all good citizens to aid in rem
dering enforcement as successful as
possible. No one expects the law to
remain unviolated, but we have a
right to expect its penalties to be
upon those who violate it. Our pun
shments are not for purposes of
cruelty or revenge, but are unfor-
necessary to diminish viola
ations of law and to obtain COM
oliance with the peoples. VIII in
heir efforts to elevate themselves
and improve the conditions under
which they struggle to better ard
happier circumstances.
EDUCATION.
The blessings Of education no good
nan denies, its necessity no wise
nan doubts, and its opportunities no
ust citizen would withhold from the
public. Pride fills the heart Of every
patriotic North Carolinian in con-
the rapid strides with
which great Improvement in our pub
ic schools is continuing. Larger
md more comfortable school houses
aking the place of inferior ones, a
higher class Of teachers and instruc-
ION constantly appearing, and at
endance day after day increasing
ause qualification over our system.
have in mind no general reform in
'ur educational work, but deep
Conviction that we should more (
thoroughly develop a system already :
constructed by patriotic wisdom.
Nothing can strengthen your deter I
nination to advance the educational
interests of our State to the utmost ;
f your ability while duly consider
ng the public revenues, the sources j
rom which they are derived, and |
he other needs Of the State appeal $
ng to your judgment. We are not I
wealthy State in market or taxable {
alues in comparison with States q {