The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-03-14

I'VE tOfd during the last ten years.
In 1900 we did not have a single
day we have $500. In the last seven
years we ave built $3.50 school
hSs,ses, an average Of more than one
q LAY for the entire period, including
Sundays.
Il might say in passing. that these
figures arc official, having been OBJ
tanned in person from the office Of oul
Stath superintendent Of public in
within the last ten days. In
addition to the above, it is to be noted
that unIer the recent act of the Gen
eral Assembly of North Carolina, we
have established a system Of pubit,
high schools in which boys and girls
are prepared for college; ITO OF these
schools have been established in 81
counties, leaving only II counties that
do not have from me to four Of these
schools with an average enrolment
in round numbers of 5000 pupils.
Another decided step forward
which North Carolina has taken
within the last ten years is the build
ing of roads and improve
ment of public highways. Many of
the counties of the State have already
voted and issued bonds for this our
pose and are now engaged in the
work of road building, while other
counties hav applied to the present
General Assembly for authority to
vote and issue bonds for a like pur-
pose. In this connection, I beg to
state that our preent Legislature has
been busy in efforts to mature a plan
or scheme by which it may enact a
law for the project of a State system
of road building. This action on the
part Of the Legislature is in response.
to the universal and earnest demand
on the part of our people for imme,
date, practical and effective legisla-
ton whereby we may prosecute
speedily and vigorously this great
work SO sOrely demanded by every in
terest of our State. For the first
time in the history of the State, we
are thoroughly aroused in his great
movement.
Another movement of far reaching
Importance to my State is the organi-
zation and launching Of the Southern
Power Company with capitalization
ample to accomplish it's grea; objects.
This great m is another
achievement of the masterful genius
of Mr.. J. B. Duke, a native Tar Heel,
who in the center of the world 8
finance and commerce. has won more
and achieved more by his individual
effort tina any Southern man within
the last fifty years.
While paying ribute to this noted
North Caroiinian, | WOULD not forget 90
do justice to his able associates who
are engaged With him in the stipend
Gus project Of Harvesting and utilizing
the idle water powers of the Carolinas
and to build an inter-urban trolley
railway across these two States, and
furnish unlimited power to manufac-
turing plants at a cheaper rate through
this great Piedmont belt. Possibly no
movement of greater moment to North
Carolina has been conceived or pro
jected in these fifty years. 1t would
require the gift Of prophecy to fore
| see and to .fof etell the possibilities
awaiting the contamination Of this
great work now under way, fortified
as it is. by ample capital and by the
friendly interest of a people broad
enough to appreciate what it means to
us and to those who shall come after
US.
This influx of capital and the pro.
lection Of this and similar enterprises
are demanded by the South for the de-
| vel0pment of its hidden and great re-
! sources. Whilst the South has made
great progress under adverse cOndi-
tiOns, it must be admitted that we are
yet in our infancy. 1 note in a later
| issue of the Daily Consular and Trade
Reports, a statement Of facts and fig
ures which clearly indicate hat we
have scarcely crossed the threshold Of
the entrance upon the greater career
that inevitably awaits this South lanC
facts and figures, which upOn the frs
blush, startle US and force the con
victi0n that we need the stimulating
Influence Of this great Commercial
Congress in our efforts to utilize the
great opportunities knocking at our
door
The State Of North Carolina is TWEEN.
ty-siX times larger, with only half the
population of the district of Lanca.
shire, England, the seat Of the grea1
cotton industry of the United Kingdom
wf1ich today supplies the markets q
the world with 20 per cent Of the man.
ufactured cotton annually required