French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1916-1919, 1919-01-16
GOVERNOR BECKETT
DELIVERS MESSAGE,

DELIVERS MESSAGE
Makes Many Recommendations of Inn.
pOrtance-Urges Compulsory School
Attendance and Safe.Guards fOl
arriage-OppOsed to Big State Is.
sue of Road Bonds; Says Counties
Should Act for Other
Important Matters.
Raleigh, N. c., Jan. 9.-Appearing
personally before the senate and house
Of the North Carolina general assem-
hiy in joint session this morning. Gov
eInOr Beckett presented his biennial
message, reciting in striking terms the
entry of the United States into the
world war soon after the adjournment
OF the last session OF the legislature
two years ago; telling Of NORTH Caro-
Iina's splendid part at the front anc
in war support ut home predicting a
splendid harvest of permanent peace
and unprecedented prosperity fer tie
state, the nation and the world at
large as just ahead; and giving soeei-
fic attention to affairs of state as Lhsy
apply to the work Of the legislative
session.
Urges Educational Features
In his recommendations he urges
those features Of legislation recon-
mended by DR.. Joyner, retiring: state
superintendent of public instruction,
including necessary machinery to ap-
ply the new constitutional amendment
for six months minimum school terms
and for a companion law for six
months compulsory school atten-
dance. He urges liberal support OF
the work of the state board Of health
and the prevention and the issuance
of licenses for the marriage of per-
sons having a disease due to vice. He
pleaded especially for legislation that
will assure longer and better
schools"
Dealing with the road problem, ne
urged that every county be required
to make ample provisions for good
road upkeep as we'll as for general
road building, this to apply particular
1y to roads that are constructed
through bond issues.
Road Questions.
Concerning the proposition that the
United States appropriate one hum
dred millions dollars for roads, North
Carolina to raise sum equal to her
allotment of about two and a quarter
:illions do lars iOr road construc-
ton, the governor declared himself IN
opposition to the proposition for this
state to issue bonds for The two and
half millions, the sum necessary to be
raised to secure federal aid and insist
ed that the wise course would be 10
leave this to the several counties TO
say whether they both desire and are:
willing to put up their part OF these
roads. He expressed the view that
the present state lay as to sand clay
and gravel roads IS tinT.e to meet the
situation, but that Few provisions Will
have to be made for construction OF
great macadam and asphalt roads. lie
thinks these should l'e built on the
basis of the government paying one
half, the county oae-fourth and the
abutting land owners one eight of the
construction cost.
The governor reiterated his advo-
cacy Of the short ballot" as desirable
for this state Cor the administrative
officers. He declared that there never
was a more .ragi" delUsi0n than the
r.s.ne P;.t the pc. pie select. .thesset tsia-
xciels. He has, he said. supreme faith
in the Judgment of all the people when
they know the facts as to few men
con the tickets and they should vote
souly for the few"
>. House for The Farmer.
He pleaded for "a house for the far
mer'' i'm asking for the machinery TO
put into operation the constitutional
amendment that will exempt from
taxation farm home mortgages on
homes to the amount of $4,000. He re-
newed his recommendation that the ad-
ministration of the state prison be re-
moved to the state farm and the great
building here and gave splendid &C
count OF progress in prison admins
tration.
He would have the prisoners quar-
tered at the state farm under condi-