The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-12-17
A Visit With
The Governor
By CAROLYN LLOYD

nelQ Dy Governor LuCner Hodges
on Monday, Dec. Is, chiefly for
the benefit of small daily and non
daily newspapers, was a success.
The Governor, dressed in a dark
blue suit with red and black tie
and a white carnation bouton-
neire, was affable and smiling as
he entered the room where the
representative of the press We're
gathered. He maintained his poise
and affability under the binding
glare of television lights and the
grinding of cameras. There was no
pretended "folksiness" in his man
ner, nor did he display a trace Of
nervousness that might be ex-
pected in a man newly-come to a
position of such Importance. To
his right sat the members of the
Council of State, all men on whom
he must depend greatly in guiding
the affairs of state and each one
a man whose thoughts and actions
influence the daily lives of the
people of North Carolina. Alto
gether it was an impressive gath
ering.
From the viewpoint of a school
teacher and sometime reporter,
the conference was not quite so
satisfactory. 1t was my hope to
hear Governor Hodges make a
definite statement as to his posi-
ton on school appropriations: in
that I was disappointed. In answer
to the question, "In event that the
legislature should consider cutting
school appropriations rather than
finding means to maintain the
status quo in the field of educa-
ton, what would be your stand
the Governor answered. 81 would
rather reserve an opinion on that
until the legislature meets" At
that point l caught the eye of
State Superintendent of Educa-
ton Carroll, who smiled broadly
at me as if to say, THAT'S the
best answer l can get, too" The
Governor did give the impression
in his subsequent remarks, how
ever, that he would not be willing
to see the school system take
backward step. One newsman
asked if it appeared that North
Carolina had over-expanded its
services in the field of education
and was told that a state that
ranks forty-third among the
states of the Union in teacher load
and thirty third in teacher pay
could hardly have over-expanded
its services. Emphasizing the fact
that there will be a rising num-
Der of pupils enrolled in the public
schools each year, the Governor
stated that the public should make
itself heard on the subject of
school appropriations.
From the viewpoint of just
plain citizen, the press conference
was lesson in democracy. The
first such conference ever held in
this state, it purpose was frankly
stated in this sentence from the
Governors prepared address: 81
seek your continued understand
ing and support in the problems
which we all face as citizens of
North Carolina" 1t was a recog-
milton of the power of the press
to mold public thinking, power
enjoyed only by free press in
free country. 1t was recognition
that the lowliest citizens in North
Carolina has the right to know
conditions as they exist in the
state and to make his will known
to the members of the legislature.
During the question and answer
period that followed the prepared
address, it became clear that the
new executive did not intend to
commit himself on many ques-
tions of Importance. In answer to
some queries, he stated frankly
that he didn't know anything
about the matter in question. That
is understandable in view of his
short time in office, and, no doubt,
wise from a political point of
view.
AS I shook hands with the Gov
ernor upon leaving, the thought
crossed my mind that here was a
man whose position l did not en-
wy. Promoted to the highest office
in the state by the accident of
death, he must take over the reins
of leadership at difficult time
in the affairs of North Carolina.
Under his leadership, the General
Assembly must find some way to
bridge the gap between depleted
revenue and inflated demands. 1t
is obvious that the only answer
lies in extra taxation. In whatever
field that taxation comes, it will
not be popular. The Governor
knows that; the members of the
General Assembly know it. 1t re-
mains to be seen whether they will
stand firm against the pressure OF
calf;sh ;rtaroSts and do what is