Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1925-01-29
(By M. L. Shipman)
% the Democrat.

ding feature of the week in legisla-
tive circles was the message of Gov
ernor Mclean to a joint session on
Wednesday in the hall of the house.
i The address was a comprehensive
survey of the states business, accom-
panied with important and valuable
recommendation looking to the ap-
plication of needed remedies to meet
the urgent needs of the hour. The
Governor would not retard the pro-
/ gress of the commonwealth in any
sense but he wants to proceed on a
"safe and sane" basis. Enlargement
of public institutions, to an extent
that will enable them to keep pace
with the states steady and solid de-
velopment, meets the governors ap-
proval, yet he would have all gar
ments "cut to fit the cloth.
The Governors suggestions were
received with the closest attention by
/ the solons and a crowd which pack
! ed the lobbes and galleries of the
| hall. The need for an economical ad-
ministration was one of the points
in the message which received the
glad hand" The speaker wanted the
financial condition of the state dis
closed in it's entirety and will be
satisfied with nothing less. The gov
i ernor covered a number of subjects
in his address, viz: Training in Ag-
riculture, Health, Economy in Ad-
ministration, the Budget System, Re
forms in Judicial Procedure, Freight
Rates, Development of Water Trans
portation, Highways, Treatment of
the Afflicted, the Pardoning Power,
Blue Sky Law, Conservation and De-
J VelOpment, Our Natural Resources,
Industrial Development, Development
of Coastal Plains, Treatment of La
Dor Workman's Compensation, the
Treatment of Prisoners, The states
Prison, Commercial Traffic on the
Highways, Fish and Oysters etc.
The question of deficit or no de-
ficit has passed the debatable stage,
1t is here and the size is yet to be
determined. The most authentic i'll
formation fixes the amount as OF
June 80, 1924 at $6,500,00. The
Budget Commission estimates that a
couple of millions may as well be ad.
ded to the shortages reported by the
auditor. Governor Mclean insists that
"all the cards b elaid on the table
so that the General Assembly and the
y public may know 'the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the
truth" 1t is the governors purpose
to get the states expenditures back
in line with it's deficient revenues
and members of the general assembly
appear to be in acordc with the views
of the executive.
The proposed 35-million bond bill
for the further extension of the state
highway system was trotted out fol
the inspection of both houses or
Thursday. 1t was introduced in the
House by Representative Bowie of
Ashe; in the Senate by Senator Heath
of Union 1t will not take the course
of the Port Terminals measure which
the voters of the state rejected in
November, The Legislature is either
to accept or reject it. If it passes the
gasoline tax will be increased to four
cents a gallon, and short term notes
issued to take care of expenditures
for road purposes until the bonds
are issued and sold. 1t will likely
"pass muster" for good roads are
the subject for genteel and polite con
versation with most everybody in the
State these days. So long as those
who use the public highways most
are willing to pay for the privilege
will the state risk its credit in fur
:! ther extending the system.
The request of Governor Mclean
i for a pardon commissioner is to be
seriously considered. Representative
Womble of Forsyth has offered bill
which would authorize the appoint
ment of an official to assist the Gov
ernor in connection with application
for pardon and combinations. He
would be paid salary of four thous-
and, and allowed to employ steno-
grapher at a salary Of not more than
$3.50 a month. The commissioner
would be under the immediate di-
rection of the governor, the final ar
bitter in all pardon cases. 1t is the
purpose of Governor Mclean to de-
vote his entire time to the weigh
tier matters of state, instead of wear
ing himself out in the consideration
: of petty affairs. 1t is not in the mind
of the governor to shirk any duty
but to discharge every obligation to