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u? til . , , '. i I I - ' ,. .1 . ) W. J. YATES, Editob and Proprietor. Term$ of Subscription $2. 00, in advance. CHARLOTTE, N. C, FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1879. TWENTY-SEVENTH VOLUME NUMBER 1364. rtw ill Wflr i i i i i ill mi I i xir- ' f w THE Charlotte Democrat, PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM J. YATES, Editor and Proprietor o Talma TWO DOLLARS for one year, or One Dollar and Twenty-five Cents for six months. Subscriptions must be paid in advance. o- Advertisements will be inserted at reasonable rates, or in accordance with contract. Obituary notices of over five lines in length will b charged for at advertising rates. E. K. P. OSBORNE, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, Charlotte, N. C. Special attention given to Collections. Loans negotiated on Mortgage and other securities. t3T Office over Ilarty's China Store, Trade St., near Court House. August 9. 1H7K Bm Dr. JOHN H. McADEN, Wholesale and Retail Druggist, CHARLOTTE, N. C, f In on hand a large and well selected stock of PURE DRUGS, Chemicals, Patent Medicines, Family Medicines, Paints, Oils, Varnishes, Dye Stuffs, Fancy and Toilet Articles, which he is determined to sell at the very lowest prices. Jan 1, 1875. J. P. McCombs, M. D., ffers his professional services to the citizens of i harlotte and surrounding country. All calls, both right and day, promptly attended to. Office in Brown's building, up stairs, oppositethe l harlotte Hotel. Jan. 1, lb73. DR. J. M. MILLER, Charlotte, N. C All calls promptly answered day and night Office over Traders' National Bank Residence opposite W. R. Myers' . Jan. 18, 1878. , DR. M. A. BLAND, Dentist, CHARLOTTE, N. C. Office in Brown's building, opposite Charlotte Hotel. Gas used for the painless extraction of teeth. Feb. 15, 1878. Doctor D. STUART LYON, Charlotte, N. C. Office : Corner Trade and Poplar Streets (Of fice of the late Dr. C. J. Fox ) Residence with Rev. Then. Whitfield, D. D. Calls from City and country will receive prompt attention. Nov. 1, 1878. 6m. T. M. PITTMAN, Attorney at Law, CHARLOTTE. N. C. Prompt attention to all professional business. Practices in the State and Federal Courts. Collec tions will receive his personal attention. Refers by permission to Commercial National Bank. Charlotte, N. C. tW Office over Dr. Smith's Drug Store. Sept. 13, 1878 Cm Watches, Clocks and Jewelry. E. J. ALLEN, Near Irwin's corner, Trade Street,! CilAKLOTTE, N. C, PRACTICAL WATCH-MAKER, tT Repairing of Jewelry, Watches and Clocks done at short notice and moderate prices. April 17, 1876. y R. M. MILLER & SONS, Commission Merchants, and WHOLESALE DEALERS IN Provisions and Groceries, College Street, Charlotte, N . C. Flour, Bacon, Sugar, Coffee, Salt, Molasses, and In fact, all kind of Groceries in large quantities always on hand for the Wholesale trade. Jan. 1 1875. D. M. RIGLER Charlotte, N. C. Dealer in Confectioneries, Fruits, Canned Goods, Crackers, Bread, Cakes, Pickles, &c. iT Cakes baked to order at short notice. Jan. 1, 1877. B. N. SMITH, Dealer in Groceries and Family Provisions of all sorts, CHARLOTTE, N. C. Consignments of Produce solicited, and prompt returns made. Families can find anything at my Store in the Grocery line to eat, including fresh meats. Jan. 1, 1877. CENTRAL HOTEL, Charlotte, N. C, Located on one Corner of the Public Square. Re Cent Internal improvements have been made for accommodation of guests. Hate $3, $2.50 and $2 per day, according to lo cation of Rooms. II. C. ECCLES, July 5, 1878. tf Proprietor. LEWIN W. BARRINGER, Son of the late Hon. D. M. Barringer of N. C.) Attorney and Counsellor at Law. 436 Walnut Street, PHILADELPHIA, PA. Prompt attention to all legal business. Best references given as to legal and financial responsi bility. Commissioner for North Carolina. References. Chief Justice W. N. H. Smith ; Raleigh National Bank ; 1st National Bank, Char lotte ; Merchants and Fanners National Bank. March 15, 1878 ly-pd J. Mclaughlin & co., Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Groceries, Provisions, &c, College Street, Charlotte, N. C, Soils Groceries at lowest rates for Cash, and buys Country Produce at highest market price. 3? Cotton and other country Produce sold on commission and prompt returns made. Always be Polite. "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low es tate." Romans xii: 16. When Sir William Jones returned the salute of a negro who had bowed to him, he was reminded that he had done what was very unfashionable. "Perhaps so," said Sir William; "but I would not be outdone in good manners by a negro." Sale of Valuable CITY REAL ESTATE. In pursuance of a power conferred upon me by a decree of the Superior Court of Mecklenburg coun ty, made in the matter of Mary J. Hull and others vs. Annie Lonergan, an infant, I will expose for sale at the Court House door, in the City of Char lotte, on Tuesday, the 11th of February 1 1879, that valuable Real Estate, situate in the City of "Char lotte, fronting on Tryon Street and running back to Church Street, adjoining the Lots of Jchn W. Miller, the A., T. & O. Railroad, and known as the Edward Lonergan property. Terms $150 cash, the balance at G and 12 months, with bond and security for purchase money; title reserved till purchase money is paid. Said property is sold for purposes of partition amonir the heirs at law. W. E. HAND, Jan. 10, 1879 5w Commissioner. Stock for Sale. One pair Mules (matches.) Two Ayreshire Bulls, 3 years old, $50 and $60. One Southdown Buck(sired by Imported Prince Arthur, cost 60 guineas in England,) $20. Berkshire Pigs, $10 per pair. Thorough bred Horses, &c. This Stock will be eold on time to responsible parties. It can be seen at any time at Enderly Stock Farm, two miles West of Charlotte. For particulars, address Dr. W. J. Hayes, Char lotte, N. C. Jan. 3, 1879. 4w S. B. ALEXANDER. CHANGE. On and after the first day of January, 1879, the firm of R. M. MILLER & SONS will consist of R. M. Miller, Sr., J. W. Miller and R. M. Miller, Jr., Who will continue the General Grocery Business as heretofore. R. E. Miller, having withdrawn, will hereafter engage exclusively with the Senior of the above firm in the manufacture and sale of Tobacco, under the firm name and style of R. M. & R. E. Miller. R. M. MILLER & SONS. Jan. 3, 1879. HARDWARE ! We are now receiving the most extensive stock of HARDWARE purchased by any one house in the State, and are prepared to offer WHOLESALE BUYERS greater inducements to buy in this market than ever offered before. Merchants will find our Stock the most complete and our prices the lowest. Novl.1878. KYLE & HAMMOND. Charlotte Institute for Young Ladies. Session Begins September 12. A full corps of able and experienced Teachers engaged for instruction in Preparatory and Colle giate Departments; also in Modern Languages, Music and Art. THE CHARLOTTE INSTITUTE will not be surpassed by any Institute in the South in the ex tent and thoroughness of its course of instruction. The Institute has been undergoing thorough re pair and renovation. Ample provision made for the accommodation of Boarding Pupils. For Terms as to Board and Tuition, apply to the Principal. Rev. WM. R. ATKINSON, Aug. 9, 1878 6m Charlotte, N. C. Attention Farmers! Call at Kyle & Hammond's Hardware House and examine their "Dexter Corn Shellers" and "Feed Cutters" the latest and best out. Also, new style adjustable Iron Foot Plow Stocks, a great improve ment on those sold in this market last season. We have a heavy 3tock of Steel Plows, Clevises, Single Trees, Steel and Iron Harrow Teeth, Heel Screws, Grass Rods, &c, which we can and will sell to the Farmers at prices lower than they can possibly afford to make them. Nov. 1, 1878. KYLE & HAMMOND. Shuttles and Needles. Now is your time to buy the genuine Stewart Singer Sewing Machine, with all the attachments complete, for $30. Shuttles, Needles, Oil, &c, for all kinds of Ma chines for sale. Old Machiues repaired or exchanged. Address Sept. 27, 1878. BRADSHAW & CO., General Agents, Charlotte, N. C. AUCTION HOUSE. D. O. MAXWELL. MAXWELL & ' C. F. HARRISON. HARRISON, Auction and Commission Merchants. Buy and sell on consignment all kinds of Merchan dise and Country Produce. Will give strict per sonal attention to all business entrusted to our care. ty Four doors above Charlotte Hotel. Nov. 8, 1878 tf Dixie Pump Fixtures. I am now prepared to furnish any of the fixtures belonging to the Dixie Pump. Also, the Dixie Pump complete, fully seasoned, and warranted not to make the water taste. 100 pounds Beeswax wanted. B. N. SMITH. Sept. 13, 1878. W I L S O N .& B U R W E L L , Wholesale akd Retail Druggists, Trade Street, Charlotte, N. C. August 16, 1878. A REQUEST 2 An Earnest Appeal!! To those who are indebted to us by Note or Ac count to come up and settle at once. We have been very indulgent to our friends who are behind in their payments, and as "short settlements make long friends," we are compelled now to make this earnest appeal to all who owe us to come vp and pay p. If it is impossible for you to pay all, don't st-iv avnv in that account, but come and see us and we may be able to arrange the matter satisfac tory. Dont forget this is the first of January, 1879. ' ? ' BARRINGER & TROTTER Jan. 3, 1879. Coffee-Houses against liquors-Shops. From the Philadelphia Chemist Magazine In the Popular Science Monthly for No vember, in an article on Coffee Houses against Ruin-Shps, we are told that there are two classes of reformers, those, first, who start from general principles and sound postulates, and on these hammer away for generations, regardless of anything except that they are in the line of their duty ; and thoe, secondly, who study the facts first, allow lor conditions and aim at attainable ends. This second elas may have just as decisive views in regard to abstract rights and wrongs, but they think it wise to be ex pedient and practical, lhese two classes are well illustrated in temperance reformers. For half a century the first class has been strivmn to eradicate the evils oi intem perance, by proclaiming certain great inflexible principles, and insisting upon their being uncompromisingly carried out. JMueh good may have been done, but drink ing habits are still prevalent, and rum-shops still abound. The second class urge that much beuent to the community would re sult if the weaker liquors could be general ly substituted for the stronger; however this may be, there can be little doubt that to substituie tea, collee and cocoa tor li quors, would be a great gain. With curves upon alcoholic drinks, the temperance lec turer has interspersed copious praises of clear, cold, sparkling water. In practice, the abandonment ot alcoholic stimulation has been often accompanied by a resort to the stimulations of opium and tobacco a change that has in it but few elements of reform. A vigorous movement has been set on foot in England to fight rum-shops with coffee-houses. 29 cocoa-rooms have been opened in Liverpool. The accommo dations are on the same principle as the public-house free to all, cordial welcome, no restraint. The room is furnished with a bar, with tables and chairs; cheerful in ap pearance, clean, airy, with sufficient space for customers to approach the bar, and to sit down to eat and drink at the tables. Portions of the ground floor should not be partitioned off, to set apart rooms for read ing, smoking, etc. Men like being in a crowd ; isolation is not to their taste ; gre gai iousness is one of the principal and most important qualities of mankind; and an ai rangement of this kind is apt to lead to overcrowding of particular rooms. A de partment lor women might be partitioned off. Men are encouraged to bring their wives and children. In England, the coffee and tea are of good quality, and are fur nished hot at the following prices: two cents for huge mug, one pint, and one cent for sxua 1L mug, one gill, for coffee and cocoa; tea, two cents per cup. An English circu lar on the subject, says: Give the work ingman a public-house, where he may meet his friends, and talk and smoke, and play games with all the freedom to which he has been accustomed, and where good coffee and tea, with stimulus and nourishment in them, take the place of beer and gin, and you set before him for the first time, plain ly, the choice between sobriety and comfort on the one hand, and dissipation and wretch edness on the other." EST" An old colered preacher in Atlanta, Ga., was lecturing a youth of his fold about the sin of dancing, when the latter pro tested that the Bible plainly said, "There's a time to dance." "Yes; dar am a time to dance," said the dark divine, "audit's when a boy gets a whippin' for gwine to a ball." Blacksmiths' Tools. We have a complete stock of Blacksmiths' Tools of the best quality and at prices that will put them within the reach of every Farmer. Nov. 1, 1878. KYLE & HAMMOND. HARDWARE At Retail for Cash. All parties wanting Hardware will do well for themselves by calling on me. I have a nice stock of goods, and will guarantee my prices. 1 can sell low and persons examining will find it so. WALTER BREM, Agent, Old Stand under Central Hotel. Jan. 3, 1S79. Axes ! Axes ! ! Lower than any house in town. WALTER BREM, Agent. Jan. 3, 1879. Horse and Mule Shoes. Horse Shoe Nails and Castings. A large stock of Whips. Rope of all sizes and kinds. Anything you want in the Hardware line, you will find cheap for cash, of "WALTER BREM, Aeent, Corner Store, under Central Hotel. Jan. 3, 1879. $50,000 CASH SALES at S. WITTKOWSKY'S Mammouth Retail and Wholesale Dry Goods Emporium. Take heed and remember that a just expenditure is a wise economy. Contemplating at an early day to make a change in the name and style of my business, and being desirous to commence the new firm under the most favorable circumstances, I have concluded to re duce my present large stock, and as this can be done only by offering great inducements, I have selected out of my Stock various complete lines, amountiug to about $ 50,000, which I am determined to sell by the 1st February, regardless of auy sacri fice it may be to me, and consumers will find the Prices so Low That they will in this instance come to the conclu sion that a just expenditure is a wise economy," and buy not only for present and early Spring use, but cheap enough to iay up for next Winter. Look Out! Great Inducements For the next thirty days in store for you. Come early, as there will no doubt be a great rush. I would urge those owing me and desirous of keeping up their credit, to call and settle. S. WITTKOWSKY. Jan. 10, 1879. Flavoring Extracts, Of the best quality, can be bed of Jan. 3, 1879. WILSON & BURWELL. Gov. Vance's Message ' i To the General Assembly of Iforth ; h Carolina : : , i Jn compliance with the Constitution'and the time-honored custom of my predeces 'sors, I have the honor to greet you as the representatives of the people and to confer With you in regard to the state of our Com- mon wealth. To an Executive desirous of serving well his State, the meeting of the General Assembly is always the occasion of rejoicing, as it not only brings to his aid the wise counsels of legislators fresh from ineir constituents, out relieves nimot mucn embarrassing responsibility; I therefore gladly welcome vou to the Capital and 1 promise to co-operate most heaitily with you m atvismg means to promote tne puo lie good. It is known to you that owing to causes which I need not here attempt to elucidate, the people of the United States and in a great measure of the civilized world have been for some years past, and still are pass ing through a period of most remarkable financial trouble, producing everywhere much distress and even disaster. Ol course North Carolina has shared these calamities and her prosperity has been retarded, as has that of others. But I believe I can truthfully say that she has suffered as little, if not less, by these hard tiroes than her sisters. Looking at the whole State and comparing her condition with others, we have abundant reason to be thankful and take courage of the future. The public health has never been better; whilst the pestilence has played with pitiless fury among the homes and pleasant places of our Southern and Western neighbors, es pecially of our great daughter, Tennessee. The profoundest quiet and most reverential obedience to legal authority have prevailed throughout our borders, while rioting, rob bing and defiant lawlessness have disturbed the peace of many States North and West of us, accompanied both by arson and bloodshed. The crops of the last two seasons have been excellent and the means of subsistence have never been more abundant and cheap. The industry of our people has been notably increased and diversified ; their farms, stock and agricultural implements show consid erable improvement; and while the produc tion of our cash staples has steadily en larged, the amount of breadstuff pur chased abroad has visibly diminished. This is an undoubted evidence of progress. But manufacturing enterprise and the legal class of speculation requiring more capital have not equally advanced, owing to the financial derangement referred to. in conse- prpience ot which there has been some dis tress among our mechanical population, and prices of all products, including labor, have ruled low. Remembering that North Carolina is pre eminently an agricultural State, your legis lation should be directed towards the im provement of that interest mainly. In this connection I beg to call your attention to the fact that the first and perhaps greatest need of an agricultural people, thinly scat tered over a wide extent of territory, is that of good highways and easy transportation for persons and products. As a general rule, from the lowland belt westward the highways of our State are as bad, if not worse, than any to be found in the Atlantic States. The old system of locating them and keeping them in repair, adopted by our fathers more than a hundred years ago, is still in use, though its utter inefficiency for nearly that length of time has been appa rent. Of the inconvenience, cost and de pressing tendency upon all industry which such roads occasion, I need not stop to re mind you; I shall only beg your earnest attention to the necessity for a change, and express my decided opinion that no perma nent prosperity need be expected unless this grievous evil is remedied. Certain gieat leading thoroughfares through the most convenient centres, and all pouring into the nearest IJaUroad lines, might be cheaply and thoroughly constructed by con vict labor, the counties through which they pass supporting the convicts. And as to the other roads discharging into these, I ad vise that some other method for their con struction and repairing be devised. I am happy to be able to state that an in creased interest is manifested amonz all classes in popular education. This is, I be lieve, mainly due to the action of the last Legislature in appropriating money for the Normal Schools. In accordance with the law the Board of Education established one for the whites at the University, and deci ded to locate one for the blacks at Fayette- ville, in a building tendered by the colored peopleof that place. They were established on somewhat different systems, regard being had to the circumstances of each race. It was considered that the white race had al ready many educated teachers who simply needed instruction in the art of teaching, while the blacks needed teachers instructed in both the elements of learning and the art of teaching. For the one therefore a six weeks school was held at Chapel Hill dur ing the Summer vacations, and for the other a permanent school was established in Fay- etieville. Both have been remarkably suc cessful at the first session of the white school 225 teachers attended, and at the second one the past Summer, more than 400 teachers were present, representing about sixty counties. An excellent corps of instructors were employed, the Univer sity gave the use of its buildings, its libra ries, laboratories, and apparatus. TheKail- roads very generously gave reduced rates, the agent of the Peabody fund supplement ed the appropriation with a handsome do nation, and every dollar that could be spared was used to equalize the benefits of the State's bounty by paying the traveling expenses of the more indigent. Lectures by distinguished citizens of the State on popular themes were delivered almost daily , with the best results. The undoubted effect of the whole was to arouse an enthusiastic interest in behalf of popular education among a large portion of our people, and to excite a spirit of honest pride in their noble calling among all the teachers present, which will, it is hoped, do much good. The accompanying report of President Battle is referred to for particulars. The colored Normal School at Fayetteville was put in charge of. Mr Kobert Harris, a native col ored man of excellent character and ca pacity, supervised by a board of local man agers selected from the best business citi zens of the town, who took a great interest in its welfare. It has been managed with unexpected success. The first session opened with fifty-eight pupils, about fortv cf wboia Jiave received .certificates as teach ers, some of high grade; the second year began with seventy-lour pupils and is now in progress. The same donation was made to this school by the Peabody fund as to the white school, and the same scheme adopted to equalize its benefits. The re port of Mr Harris, to which you are referred, will be as surprising as I am sure it will be pleasing to all who desire the real welfare of our colored citizens. I sincerely hope the appropriation for both schools may be renewed, and the law be made to embrace both sexes, t or though females have attended both schools by per mission, yet the Hoard ot Jbducation did not feel at liberty to exDend anv State monev in their aid, which appeared a little ungal- lant tor so christian a people as ours, who are so well aware that as a general rule our female teachers are better than the males. The excellently worded memorial of the teachers themselves, which accompanies the report of President Battle, is especially commended to your favor. Hoard of Agriculture. -The establishment by the last Legislature, in pursuance of the Constitution, of a Depart raeut of Agricul ture, was a very important step indeed to the welfare of this State. As was to have been expected the law has in some respects proven defective, and will require some amending at your hands, but in the main it is an admirable one. It is the first special effort ever made in the direct interest of agriculture and has been hailed by our farming people with great satisfaction. So far this bnreau has cost the people nothing, i he tax on the license to sell fertilizers hav ing yielded sufficient revenue for all its pur poses. As soon as possible after the pas sage of the law in 1877, the organization of the Board of Agriculture was completed by the election of ihe two intelligent farmers who now occupy seats in it, a Commissioner was elected, a Secretary and Treasurer chosen, and work begun immediately. For ihe results of the first two years I refer you to the accompanying report of the Commis sioner,- Col. L. L. Polk, which sets out every thing in detail. I regard the beginning as excellent. The chief difficulty in the way of doing any new thing among a people so conservative as ours, is in securing their prompt co-operation. It was found very difficult at first to awaken an active inter est in ihe operations of the bureau, but the impression once produced is lasting and en- rging. Special attention has been given to the analyzing and classification of fer tilizers, including marls; to the re-stocking of our rivers with fih, and the preparation of a hand-book of information concerning the Si ate and its resources. Much good has been effected, I am sure, and an interest ex cited that will lead to still more. A serious drawback to fish propagation is the numer ous dams and obstructions of the streams ; and public sentiment is in many places pre vented from bearing npon the owners of these obstructions by the sneers of the ig norant and the incredulous. This will dis appear when the results are seen, and the laws passed in aid of this important mat ter will then be helped in their execution by a wiser popular opinion. The trouble with regard to the preparation of a proper hand book has been the actual impossibilit y of getting statistics. The duties required of tax-listers under the sixth section of the act establishing the department, have been in seven cases out of ten evaded or openly and defiantly refused. Additional legislation is needed to make this law effectual. And in this connection I beg permission to remark generally, that the vital defect of our laws lies in the ma chinery provided for their execution. The general tenor of our legislation is excellent, as all who philosophically examine our statutes for a hundred years past will con fess ; but a large portion of them often of a most beneficient character lie dormant and inoperative. There is no power given to the Chief Executive, or any head of a department, to quicken the diligence or re buke the criminal neglect of his subordin ates ; and many of our best laws take the chance of the local favor or disfavor with which they may be regarded, and are alive or dead as that may be. Proof of this is found in the number of new statutes in rela tion to subjects concerning which excellent oues are already in existence. It is not a good thing or a healthy sign, perhaps, for a people to multiply greatly their list of crim inal offences, but for the curing of this seri ous dt feet in the administration of our laws I can see no better way than the imposition of heavy penalties for the omission or refu sal, on the part of any public officer, to per form any duty which he is required to per form. It has not only been found impossi ble to get the statistics required under the act establishing the Board of Agriculture, as before remarked, but also to get proper : and timely returns from the County School ' boards and managers, whilst several coun-1 ties in the last election for Congressmen failed to send full and proper returns of the ' votes cast, and some even failed to return any at all ; and so on through the list. It is to the last degree discouraging to those who earnestly desire to do something for the pnblic good to find that those whose special duty it is to help will not do so, andean re fuse to do so with impunity. . , As to the work of the Agricultural Bu reau, I desire to call your attention to the, subject of our forests. -1 will not undertake , to point out the many and most important , functions which they fulfill in the economy . of nature, and which the investigations of ,. scientific men are every day bringing to the . attention of the world, but will content my self with referring to them as a source of wealth, health and fertility, and to the fact -of their rapid and wasteful destruction. , Depleted as they are, our forests are to-day, perhaps, worth more intrinsically, properly managed, than the lands they stand upon ; whilst the value of those especially, which shadow the highlands round about the sources of our rivers ja. aim ply incalculable , considered with reference to rainfalls,1 des-. tructive floods, fcc The proof of this is s plain to any one who has observed the con- , dition of those valleys whose hillsides have been entirely stripped of timber and con-. verted into that shame of Southern agricul ture old fields; and yet, in the face of the increasing value of timber and the decreas-. ing value of the lands from which it is ruth lessly swept, the destruction goes on. Many counties already feel the evil keenly, and . not many years hence, if some remedy be not applied, the outcry will be general. I confess I do not see my way clear to that remedy. I am aware of the difficulty and the danger of interferring with the owners' legal right to do what he pleases with his own. If he sees proper to cut down all his timber, dry up the springs which feed our streams, and precipitate his soil into their rhannels, changing their currents and de 1 uging all the low lands below him, and im overishing himself and Lis children, I can't po see how he is to be hindered. . But the peo ple of other nations are finding means by bonuses, exemption from taxation and other devices to restore the lorests and denuded lands ; and many of our counties are adopt ing laws, with regard to inclosing the lauds, the effect of which is to reduce the expen diture of timber for (arming purposes to the minimum. As guardians of the interests ot an agricultural people. 1 commend this whole subject to your serious attention. I am requested by the Board of Agriculture to say that they concur in the recommend a tions of the Commissioner. I call your special attention to the report of Dr. Ledoux, Director of the Fertilizer Central Station. It is gratifying in the ex treme, vou will perceive, that the aualitvof y j r the fertilizers sold in the Stale has steadily improved, and the marked value of the im provement amounts to more than $100,000 in two yeais! This is caused obviously by the fact that, knowing their wares were' to be subject to a rigid scientific test the deal" ers were careful to make them come up to the mark, and manv others have quit the market altogether. Fendl and Charitable Institutions. I am happy to say that the affairs of the Peniten tiary and the two Asylums have been well managed by their respective boards, and are in a satisfactory condition. The Deaf and Dumb and Blind Asylum makes perhaps a more satisfactory exhibit than it has ever done since its establishment. With a large increase of pupils there has been a decrease of 16 per cent in the total of expenses. As you will see by the Superintendent s report with a reduced appropriation from former years, the board of this institution have saved $15,056.12 out of the amount, with which they have erected an elegant and much needed addition to the main building, at a cost of $7,576.55, and have still to their credit in the Treasury $7,489.57. Though results have not been quite so satisfactory with the Insane Asylum, yet. on the whole, it has done well. Notwith standing the number of its inmates have in creased, and some extraordinary and costly improvements have been made, expenses have been kept down, and it has lived with in its appropriation. I recommend that tho board be authorized to build on the grounds a separate residence for the Superintendent, and that his pay be fixed in cash, as are the salaries of all the other principal officers of the various institutions of the State. I also recommend the repeal of section 29, chapter 6, of Battle's Revision, under which the State pays for transporting all patients to and from the Asylum, to whom the Clerks of the Superior Courts will give a certificate that they have not property sufficient to pay their own expenses. Under that ' act the State is often imposed upon shamefully. Ii is the nature of public charities to invite such abuses, custom legalizes them, and they become a base for still greater abuses. The only sale way is to use the knife promptly on their first appearance. It is known that much of the laws, as they now stand on the statute book, in relation to each of the Asy lums and the Penitentiary, was abrogated by the decisions ot the Supreme Court in litigation concerning their management about 1872, and some legislation has been had since in consequence thereof.1 The laws now have to be read with the decisions of the Court to arrive at their meaning'. Im plication has to be resorted to in order to supply deficiencies. Thi makes it extreme ly inconvenient lor the board and all con cerned, who sometimes have to consult coun sel before performing a plain duty. I re commend tnat the various acts regulating these institutions be re-enacted, striking out those features declared void by the Court, and the whole simplified and connected so as to be easily understood by all. The work on the Western Insane Asylum has been fully commensurate with the ap propriations. The report of the Commis sioners will give all the particulars. No work ever undertaken for the State has been done better or more cheaply, and when fin ished, all its surroundings considered, it will, in the opinion of many, be the most desir able institution of the kind in the United States. I trust that a sufficient appropria Continued on Second page. '
The Charlotte Democrat (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Jan. 17, 1879, edition 1
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