The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-15
PROGRESSIVE NORTH CAROLINA.

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PROGRESSIVE NORTH CAROLINA.
OF all the Southern States, North
Carolina most quickly responds 10 pro-
Srossive principles by cnacting them
into law, Such readiness to marcf,
abreast of the social. political AMI IN
dustrial advance is only possible where
the people are enlightened and eager
to achieve everything possible for
their own welfare. The progress of
the Old North State since 1900 is un-
precedented. Her contribution to the
constructive leadership OF the South
in less than a decade and half has
been remarkable. Milestones of the
line of march are marked with such
unfading names as Aycock and Nc
Iver.
The work of the Legislature of
North Carolina which adjourned this
week evidences the progressive char
acter of its people. In that body no
| new idea, no progressive measure. was
defeated through fear OF innovation.
Undoubtedly the most important step
of the Tarheel legislators was the pas
! sage of the measure creating COM
mission OF nineteen ,nembers, consist
ing of hve members OF the House,
eight of the Senate and six to be ap-
pointed by the Governor, all charged
with the important duty of considering
and reporting upon all the amendments
10 the State Constitution proposed at
the last session OF the Legislature. and
10 frame and submit other amend
inents, the whole to be considered by
an extra session OF tho General AS
sembly to b. called later. This report
must be made at least sixty days prior
to the date for the converting of such
extra session.
1. The amendments already proposed,
which this constitutional end mcnt
commission will have TO consider, in
volve such issues as restrictions upon
appeals to higher courts and TO insure
speedy Justice, grant OF the veto power
TO the Governor, woman's suffrage,
lengthening the term of public schools
constltutionally required from four to
six months. the initiative and the
referendum. and facilitating the pro-
cess Of legislative proposals u the
! people of constitutional amendments.
While the actions of this commission
will not have binding force in any
degree whatsoever. it is composed OF
so distinguished and Intelligent n body
OF men that its recommendations. made
after great elaboration, must greatly
inform public sentiment and influence
the constitutional convention, If called
othcr progressive enactments of the
latest North Carolina Legislature were:
An antitrust law, a law promising TO
end the evils of freight rate discrimi-
nation. law providing for six
months term OF the public schools in
the face of the fact that n great deficit
VIII be caused thereby, & law 10 pro-
vide for the registration Of vital sta
tistics, a law CO. or1inating the agri-
cultural agencies OF the State, law
providing for compulsory attendance
in the public schools. a child labor
law, law promoting good roads re-
form and a law making women eligible
Tor certain educational positions a
law adopting the Torrens system OF
land title registration, a strong corrupt
practices act Segregation of taxes
and the delegation of passing upon
local matters to local authorities wore
/ two important reforms which failed OF
enactment
the Democrats are In overwhelming
control Of the government of North
carolina, but they have found out that
/ progressive Democracy is the araod
/ that the eoplc want The Legislators
4 of North Carolina take their orders
direct from the people whom they
were elected TO represent.