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1 GOVERNOR'S IBI. - m Reviews North Carolina's Volunteer Troops and Eulogizes our Dead. STATF PRISON BEHIND $125,000 The Governor Recommends Increased Ap propriations for State Colleges and Char itable Institutions. To the Senate and House of Represen tatives: In April of last year, 1898, a state of war betwixt the United States and the Kingdom of Spain was declared by Congress, in pursuance of the policy of this country to secure to the people of the Spanish West Indies the bles sings of civil and religious freedom. In the first call of tho President for troops to prosecute tho war, the quota demanded by the national government from the State of North Carolina was two regiments of infantry and one bat tery of artillery. This battery of artil lery was subsequently, by direction of the Secretary of War, substituted for and expanded into a battalion of in fantry of three companies, and, by di rection of the national War Office, was recruited from the negro population of the State. There were two white reg iments formed, officered by my ap- ! pointment, and mustered into the vol- ! unteer army of the United States. Upon the second call of the Presi dent for troops, the quota of North Car olina was directed by tho Secretary of War to be used in recruiting the sev eral companies of the First and Sec ond North Carolina Regiments to the maximum prescribed by the rules for the organization of the volunteer army of the Union. After filling the First and Second North Carolina Regiments, up to the required maximum, it was found that enough men of the State's quota under the second call for troops were left to permit the expansion of the colored battalion, mentioned above, into a full regiment of ten companies, and by direction of the War Depart ment at Washington, this was done. North Carolina has reason to be proud of the record made by her sons in this war so rightfully declared and so quickly brought to a successful con clusion. The First North Carolina Regiment was mustered into the ser vice of the United States among the very first in all the country. In the battle of Santiago, it was North Caro lina that gave up one of the bravest aud best in all the land when William E. Shipp was stricken down. He was rec ognized in the army and throughout the country as an officer of exceptional ' merit. Among those who fell at Car denas, was another North Carolinian, Worth Bagley, who was the first com missioned officer killed in the war. Upon the occupation of Cuba by our army, the First North Carolina Regi ment was the first to enter the capital citj of Havna, and the first to bear the flag through its thoroughfares. The report of the Secretary of State, of the Auditor and Treasurer and of heads of the different departments of the State administration areBubmitted herewith. These reorts are very full and aenrate, and tho attention cf the General Assembly is called to the rec ommendations contained therein, that such of those rccommeudatious as may approvo themselves to the wisdom of the Legislature may be euacied into law. Tho following exhibit shows tho re ceipts and expenditures of the pubiic moneys for tho two fiscal vears ending November :oth, For the details of theso receipts and expenditures you are referred to the report of the State Treasurer, transmitted herewith: oocaiL rcsn. Dec. to balance in Treasury- 8S,3G3.03 Nov. 30. isy7, to receipts for fiscal year ending to-dav l,20,f,9i.si Not. SO, 194,10 recti tt for fiscal year ending to-day. . . . 1,337.502.40 It thus appears that the available fund In the Treasury at the end of the year 1893, la $185,279.91. as against $88,353.03, at the end of the vear 1896, showing a net increase for the two years of $96,9-6.83, In the fund available for public purpose?. During these two years the Treasure has paid $133,500 in what may be termed extraordinary appro priations, which were as follows: Institution for the Education Of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind.. $ 57,500.00 The StateNormal and Industrial College 25,000.00 North Carolina University..... 10.000.00 Institute for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, (Mor- ganton) ),000.C0 College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts 5,000.00 College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts (colored) 10.000.00 State Normal Schools (colored . . 8,000.00 Total wouro for Treasury ISOT-'JH 12.731 537.24 Nov SO. IS'?, dis bursed for year eliding to-dav. . $1,204,537.21 Nov. SO, ls-.w. bursal for year radian t.-ajfy ..l,25l,Crf!03 S 2,554.3 17.S3 Nov. S lfC", L.v'ar.eo in hnJ of TroAur at end of lUcal 15.272.91 Total $135,500.00 The Geological Survey has continued its work of examining and reporting on our va rious mineral, timber and water power re sources, and it is said to have been instru mental already in bringing several millions of capital into the State. During tho past two years it has also carried on an investiga tion coEccrniog the character and extent of the materials suitable for road building, in both eastern and western counties, and the result of tbi3 investigation wili be embodied in a forthcoming report. In conjunction with the United States De partment of Agriculture, investigation Is now being carried on as to the rate of growth under different conditions of the most im portant timber trees of the eastern counties. In conjunction with the United States Geo logical Survey, it is continuing the work cf preparing the large topogtaphic and geologic map of the State, this work having been nearly completed for the mountain counties. In conjunction with the United States Coast Survey and with the co-operation of the au thorities of the several counties, the 6urvey is also establishing at all of the county seats in the State a magnetic meridian post and a standard measure for surveyors chains, m the expectation that this will lead in the fu ture to the more accurate survey of all lands and boundary lines. It has been estimated by the experts con nected with both the government and the State forestry surveys, that in eastern No Carolina especially, during the present cen tury, more timber has been destroyed by for est flres than has been cut and sold as lum ber. Twelve months ago a single forest fire along the border between North and South Carolina is said to have destroyed, in two days, one million dollars' worth of property and 15 lives. It is not as yet clear how these destructive flres may be prevented in North Carolina, but I beg to ca.l ycur attention to the fact that, during the past few years, leg islation has been enacted in Maine, New York, Pennsylvania and some other States, which has, without any great cost to these States, resulted in greatly diminishing both th aumber and the destructivenoss of these fires. A more widespread and intelligent inter est iu the betterment of the public roads of tho State is everywhere apparent. Thi3 in terest has been steadily growing during the last decade, and it is evidently one cf the most vital economfo problems now before the people. There is need of better and more uniform legislation in the interest of thl3 moveoaent and at an early day a report will be presented to you embodying r.n abstract of tho different county and State road laws now in operation, and also much informa tion concerning methods of road -building. There is also great need in this State for more intelligent and experienced road en gineers and supervisor?, so as to a'void a wasting of money and labor in carrying out worthkss plans for work. The plan of em ploying short-term convicts on the roads has proved economical and satisfactory in a number of counties in thU and other States, undthesystem could be well extended. 6l course no amount of leehlatioa will of itseli radically change the existing conditions, but perhaps laws providing for tho working of the public roads may be enacted so as to stimulate and direct better work in this di rection. It is coming to be generally recog nized that the usecf wide tires on all wagcnJ and other draft vehicles will greatly aid the keeping ol the public road iu better con dition. It is de-irab.e that legislation look ins in this direction should be enacted in North Carolina. The report of the Board of Agriculture transmitted herewith, gives in detail the op erations of that Department for the last two years, and the attention of tho General As sembly i-i directed to tho recommendation contained therein. The Department has dor e o.t;- very valuable work iuee its last re port to the General Assembly, but it la be 1 ved that its eflscincy would be greatly in creased if the farmer' institute work in which this Department engages, could be made to reach a greater number of ourfarm- Tk State Museum, under the control of this Department, is one Qr the mnct xtpa ive and the Lest arranged ititutions vt its kind in the country. It is not only honor able to the men who hare Gathered emi t--rau'-ed its specira-ns an l to the h:,u to wliich it belong., but it would be crediuU-j to any state in theUnion. 1h'.' State Agricultural So.Mtv hi . I coot work during the last two years. The iasr in i?t was the most largely attended hilkion ol the products of our people's in dustry th;it has been held within the history :f the societv. It i honed th.it thi r.nrr.i I Assembly will cor.tiuu to trvat this srnM-ty caerou.:y. by d isg whatever it tny . n?.".7 ti. .t, jo increase i s rGP.-1-i.v ia J I tspev y. The statement of the condition of the University sent herewith is one made to the Governor by the president of that institution in an informal way. The report in full ot the University wU be made to the General Assembly at a later day. It is a matter for profound gratitude that the University has now the largest attendance upon its classes that it has ever Lad in 'its long and useful history. The appropriations made to this institution heretofore have been wisely and economical ly used, and I recommend to the Legislature to make such additions to the appropriations to its treasury as may be demanded by its increased attendance, and as may be justified by the condition of the public finances. It is believed that no other educational in stitution in the State is doing a better wosii for the whole mass of the people than that now being so successfully prosecuted by the Normal and Industrial. College at Greens boro. Indeed, its work seems limited only by the accommodations which have been thus far furnished to it by the General As sembly. All the buildings now upon the campus have been occupied by students, and the overflow from these has extended to the private houses of the town. The unex ampled growth of this institution makes the petition which its managers prefer to the General Assembly for additional buildings, to be the call of a pressing need. The report of the board having control of the College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts is s-ubstituted herewith and exhibits the operations of that institution for the last two years. The equipment and appointments of this school are extensive and modern, and well adapted to the work that it undertakes to do. It is a matter of surprise ard regret that it has not been able to secure a much larger attendance of students than it now has in its classes. The Colored Agricultural and Mechanical College at Greensboro has not beenfas large ly, patronized by our colored population as tue amount of money expeLded upon it would seem to demand. It is hoped that the General Assembly may find some way to induce a larger attendance upon its classes than has yet been realized. Tho reports respectively of the Western, the Central and Eastern "Hospital for the Insane, are transmitted herewith, and your attention is called to the recommendations therein contained. These recommendations are made by, experts in the matters and things to which they relate, and will be more valuable in informing and directing the Legislature than will anything that might be advisod by non-experts. The reports of the ooards having control of the schools for the education of the deal and dumb and blind are transmitted here with, and the recommendations in these reports deserve careful consideration and study at tho hands of the peopie'a represen tatives. I reeemmend to the General As sembly to take such sters at this session as thty may deem necessary to gather Into theso several schools all those unfortunates, who ought to be in one or another of these institutions. The operations of the State peniten tiary for the past two years have c i sisted mainly iu farming. The manage ment, as I am informed, has not been aoie to secure labor contracts for the convicts ex cept to a very limited extent, and the in stitution has been compelled to rely mainly upon the production of cotton as the money crop with which to realize for the payment of, its expenses. The crops have been" large in amount, but sadly deficient in pecuniary value. The low price of cotton has seriously reduced the earnings of this institution. It was contended by the management during tho year 1896 that the institution was self supporting. This was denied by the succeed ing management, who contended that it wa3 not self-supporting in that year, and never had beec An experienced accountant was employed by the prison board, who reportel that the institution for the years 1893. 1894, 1895 and 1896 ran behind more than $100,030. The experiment of raising rice to a limited extent, on the tide water lands of the Cape Fear, was attempted during the year 1898. and according to my best information, has been successful. The superintendent thinks that this experiment shows an encouraging profit. The plantation on the Roanoke river, known as the Halifax farm, has been held by the penitentiary under a lease, which ex pires with the year 1899. The work of it ha never been profitable to the State. It is recommended that it be surrendered to its owners. The plantation known as the Cale donia, on the Roanoke river, is held under a lease which expires at the ead of the year The State holds an option on this land at a stipulated price. I would recom mend that some provision be made for the purchase of this propercy. The most enlightened" statesmanship, the dictates of common humanity and the teach ings of Christianity unite to urge the law makers of this State to establish one or more reformatories for the care and reformation of young criminals. Since the Inauguration of tho present Gov ernor, r.n the 12th day of January. 189J, that is for the two years 1897 and 189S. there have 1-een issued fifteen commutations, and one hundred and seven pardons. A repcrt of the same and the reasons therefor wili be fut-mttted to the General Assembly at this s-sdon. The Governor refers to the lease of the North Carolina Railroa-1 and the suit of the Southern Railway growing out of taid lase, in which the court rendered a decree in favor of th Southern Railway. He says the gross earnings of this company have increased, the material condition of the road has been im proved, dividends of 2 per cent, have teen earr.ed and paid to the stockholder. and it . wo'im Mt-rr, tit r.t the property has incrad I He refers to the anion of tim . iiiirw-aji Conixissiorersto leiuce te'ejrraph rates and the injunction obtained by th. western union so prevent mo reauce l rat from going into effect; also the rMuotioa against ore of the great railroad ?y?t--n r the State in the matter of passenger rv- Thi redact! a is also resisted by th- rail road, which has obtained nn inj action agiinst it in theUnited States Court. la botk these cases counsel have been emp!ojt i ta represent the interests of the State ar,d to test the question involved. In rcfering to the expenses of rao'ciiizij.. and mustering the troops into servi?9 th$ governor Mild it looked hazardous to pay ost money which was needed for State purposes and take the chance of getting it back from the government at Washington. It w del cided to make a colorable payment of tbf-ai by the Auditor drawing warrants on tbi State Treasury and the Treasurer hoMinr the funds to secure the State, until the pay ment was made ky the United States, r.'at for the Mtutlon exercised in this matter. f Br TreastjjTy would have paid out some f 25 000 to carry on a war which, by the constitution and laws, is exclusively a matter of national concern and control. The incorporation of many of the compa nies cf the State Guard into the volunteer nimy of the United States has made a reor ganization of the Guard necessary. This work oi reorganization has been already commenced, and is being prosecuted a rap idly as thorouhness will allow. I recom mend that "additional appropriations t made for this service. The Soldiers' Home seems to have wn managed for the last two years with faithful intelligence and economy, and tho ioinates have teen tenderly earod for, so far as the management has had funds and facilities with which to provide for their wants I recommend an increase In the appropriations for this institution, if tho condition cf the public funds will justify such action. It has been charged in the publio press t other States that North Carolina has beet under negro government, and that the Gov ernor of the State has appointed large num bers of colored pnrsons to offiVe. I have appointed in two years to civil ofilcssis per sons, of whom not more than eight wero col ored. In the history of the State, since the civil conflict, its credit was never so good a It i .ind has been during the year 1893. While this is being written, the State Treiguterhai an offer of 106 for North Carolina 4 per cent..bonds. . The increase in the revenues collected by the Secretary of State reflects much credit upon the ability and diligence of that officer. The following table shows collections in that office for eight years: Tayments into the Treasury for two years ending Nov. 30, 1892 e 90 518.13 2 j-ears ending Nov. 30, 1894 102.3'JS.50 2 years ending Not. 30, 1896.... 120.170.26 2 years ending Nov. 30, 1893.... 1SG.539.79 It is believ6d that the cost attendant upon the public printing could be very greatly lessened if the State would purchase a print ing plant for the Institutions for the Educa tion ot the Deaf and Dumb and have work done by the inmates of those institutions. The report of the board of publio charities is presented herewith, and the attention ol the General Assembly Is called to its re commendations. From the bi-ennial report of the StaU Board of Health, which I herewith transmit, the, board Is of real service to the people of the State, in a quiet way caving man; lives and much sickness and suffering. I would also recommend a small addition to the present insufficient appropriation forth purpose of insuring a more thorough and complete oversight of the water supplies cl the fctate, both public and private, than u now practicable. The report of the Superintendent of Pub lic Instruction, which will be laid before the General Assembly, is a very full and thought ful discussion of some quet-tions relating to our public schools, its suggestions ana reomuiendatlons are commended to your honorable bodies for such action as may be deemed wise and expedient. While the last two years have not been prosperous to the farming classes of the State on account of the low prices commanded bj most sorts or farm products, there has oeeu a large increase in the number of cotton manufacturing plants within our borderr. II has been stated, and I have seen nothing to contradict it, that North Carolina is now the second State in the South in cotton manu facturing. It is hoped the General As-M-mbl will do whatever ought to be done, not on!? to foster the'growth of manufacturing in cui midst, but also to promote the proi--ritj and happiness of all cur people. Signed Dak ill L. RcssEi.r. Ryan's Blocking Tactics. A special from Baltimore says Win. L. Mar bury, counsel' for Thomas i . ltyan, of New York, who is endeavor in gto block the tale of the Seaboard lloanoke, parent corporation of the Seaboard Air Line system, to the syn dicate headed by Mr. John S. William, filed a bond iu the circuit court for S200.000 for an injunction to i-revect the transfer of 3.0CK) shares of stock pooled with Messrs. Louis McL2 and Leigh K. AVatts, which Mr. Kvk'l claims the owners agreed to sell to him at $125 a abaro two years ago. Judge Wyckes approved the bond and signed the order for an injunction. I TVs a wis barber who never ilia- trates his stories with cuts.