MESSAGE TO THE
To III Honorable, the Qeneral Assem
bly of North Carolina:
The last two years has been an era
of substantial progress. The energy
ol the state has he-n manifest In her
Industrial and social development.
Agriculture has Improved. Trade and
manufacturing has Increased, The
Kurnpean War has depressed values,
and depressed business, but already
conditions are Improving and the de
termination and Intelligence of the
people are prevailing over unexpected
dlKUHier. The sudden fall In the price
of cotton resulting from the closing
of the markets by war, and our un
precedented crops, have caused a
shock that demoralized business, and
discouraged enterprise. The present
crop falls short of Its expected value
by millions of dollars. This calamity
bus fallen heavy. It has brought dis
aster to many that are Industrious and
worthy. The president of the United
States and the secretary of the treas
ury have demonstrated that the ad
ministration at Washington Is In sym
pthy with the producers of the coun
try. They are exercising and are
ready to exercise all the powers of
the federal government for protection
against untoward disaster. Hut no
power of government can defy world
wide economic conditions, and any
plan to valorize cotton or to, compel
all the people by legislation to buy
this staple at a price above Its market
value, la In my opinion unsound mor
ally and economically, and must re
sult In failure and disappointment,
whether attempted by the federal gov
ernment or by the state government.
We have been blessed with years of
advantageous circumstances, and will
triumphantly overcome this reverse.
If t lie present unfortunate situation
can demonstrate to our farmers the
neceeslty of diversifying crops; of
producing meat and bread at home,
the present misfortune will result to
our permanent good.
Within the last two years the prin
cipal differences between the people
and the railroads as to transportation
of merchandise have been adjusted.
For years our people suffered from ad
verse discrimination and excessive
rates. While we did not secure on In
terstate rates the reductions to which
we were eutitled, the best available
adjustment was made. By this a sav
ing estimated at 2,000,000 a year on
Interstate commerce was secured.
Hut of far greater consideration Is the
iplaclng of our enterprises on a friend
ly competitive basiB with the enter
prises of the State of Virginia. Indus
. tries heretofore attracted to Virginia
will remain with us. Our towns and
cities feel the Impulse and -the people
will ultimately be benefited. .
Charges for the transportation of
freight within the state have been
fixed by a commission appointed by
the Oovernor in accordance with a
atatute of the last Qeneral Assembly.
The railroads have applied the re
duced rates fixed by tbe commission.
Intrastate commerce will be encour
aged to the welfare of all sections of
the state. The people have accepted
the judgment of the commission as
wise and just.
A strong and determined public sen
timent brought' about these adjust
ments. The sovereignty of the people
was asserted. They will deal firmly
and justly with the common carriers,
and it Is fair to say that the railroads
have come to recognize the controll
ing power of the people and have
manifested an earnest desire to con
duct the transportation business as
public servants In harmony with the
peoples' will, and the peoples' rights.
The railroads and the people are now
at peace. But a firm and just control
must always be maintained.
I transmit to the General Assembly
for careful consideration the reports
of the different departments of gov
ernment and Institutions of the state.
1 You will see from these reports that
our state Institutions, educational and
eleemosynary, are performing with
efficiency their respective functions,
that the various departments of the
state government have been admin
istered with ability, economy and hon
esty. As provided by law, these de
partments and Institutions have been
thoroughly audited and Investigated
by competent experts, and In the hon
esty of their conduct they are above
reproach.
- There are problems of grave Import
ance that confront this General As
sembly and as commanded by the
Constitution, I submit to you my views
and recommendations on some of the
questions that you will consider:
The Farm. ..
Our Department of agriculture la do
ing effective work. The encourage
ment to better' farming, the Improve
ment of rural conditions by the Im
provement of schools, of roads, of san
itary conditions, by circulating libra
ries, by farm demonstrations, by scien
tific teaching, and by every feasible
means should be the fixed purpose of
this General ; Assembly. Eighty per
cent of out people live upon the farms.
Tbelr destiny' and the destiny of the
atate and of all of the people of the
state In all occupations ia largely de
termined by conditions that prevail
in rural communities. - Thence cometh
our strength, and thane the, crop of
men. ' , -
Revenue and Taxation. .'
The revenue for the last two years
baa met all the obligations of the
state. Thar la a amall balance la
the treasury above all demands. This
fact must be gratifying to this Gen
eral Assembly, and to all the people,
for tt Is the first time In many years
'.hat this condition has existed. Our
revenue system, however, la 'far from
satisfactory. The proDlem of taxation
la alwaya difficult and vital. Tbe gov
ernment must be economically admin
istered. No extravagance has existed
In thie state, and none should be tol
erated, but we must provide revenue
for all appropriations and necessary
expenses. With the state aa with the
Individual, the elementary rule of bus
iness la to live within your means.
North Carolina has ample resources
with which to meet all her obligations.
Within the last decade the value of
all real property has enormously In
creased, and personal wealth has been
multiplied.
We cannot repudiate the obliga
tions of Christian civilisation. Now
that 'the land la yielding bountiful
harvests, now that the stagnant towns
of the last generation have grown Into
cities of Increasing wealth, now that
Industry is triumphant, now that des
tiny Is unfolding to us In grander rev
elation shall we In this day of our
strength not fulfill the duties of a
progressive state? We must support
our Institutions of learning to Increas
ing usefulness. We should listen to
the appeal of the Confederate soldier,
and to those stricken In mind and
body. We must provide for the Im
provement of our rural communities
and for aggressive work for the pre
vention of disease and for the conser
vation of health. In this new century,
when southern Ideals have been re
stored to the union, wlfen southern
I atnfnamen hftVA mniA ftjraitl tn Dlacea
of power, when the future beckons to
renewed effort and life, Forward Is the
order.
Property Not Assessed.
The fault with our fiscal system is
that we do not assess our property
for taxation. Real estate, and espec
ially unimproved real estate, and real
estate held for speculation, have been
greatly undervalued, and most of the
personal property has not been llsted-
at alIi it should be understood that
the quadrlennlal assessment will be
for the purpose of lowering tire rate
of taxation, and with the determina
tion of securing a more equitable and
a more complete listing of .taxable
property. A graduated tax on Inheri
tances should be Increased and It
should be collected.
Our citizens do not refuse to return
their property for taxation because
they desire to take advantage of oth
ers, but for the reason tbat they do
not desire that other men and other
communlles shall take advantage of
them and of their communities. The
propery has not been equally assess
ed for taxation, and for this reason
men are actuated by purpose to un
dervalue property, and to refuse to list
their solvent credits. They would be
willing to submit to square deal, but
desire to protect themselves against
Inequality.
, The personal property of the aver
age man cannot be concealed. The
securities of the wealthy can be con
cealed. The average citizen pays his
tax; the wealthy often escape. The
Tax Commission should be clothed with
plenary powers to enforce the listing
of all property for taxation, and to en
force the uniform and just valuation
of all property. Every citizen should
bear the burdens of government In
proportion to his ability. This policy
should be carried out with unalter
able determination.
On a subject related to the finances,
I recommend that the General As
sembly require the State Treasurer to j
give as his surety for the faithful '
discharge of the duties of his office
k,.T.,nwk.m.rnUn.nr.t
companies, and that this bond be paid
for by the state; that the Treasurer
be allowed to put out at interest all
available moneys in his hands. This
would yield to the state an Income of
many thousands of dollars a year.
Primary Elections.
It Is clear that the people of the
state demand of the General Assem
bly a law providing primary elections
for the nomination of candidates. This
demand Is In accord with the spirit of
the age, and has already found legal
expression in m ioe. Bu.iea ui
Union with few exceptions. The dem-
ocraiic party, lire rvpuuuuaii panj,
and the progressive party in state
convention assembled declared that:
such a law. The democratic party In
convention assembled declred that:
"We endorse the principle of the leg
alized statewide primary for all nat
ional, state and judiciary officers, and
we pledge the party to the enactment
of such a law as will make this prin
ciple applicable to all political par
ties." . .-.';;
The members of the General Assem
bly hold their commissions with the
pledge to all the people for this re
form. This Is democracy. It gives to
the people the legalized machinery
that provides the opportunity for
every citizen to participate In the
nomination of candidates, and in the
selection of the public servants that
must administer the government. Po
litical conventions and party alleg
lence urge the citizen to vote for the
nominee of his party. He should have
a voice In their selection, otherwise,
the great majority really has no voice
in the administration of public affairs
that are of vltai interest' to alL The
means should be provided for the full
and free exercise of this right' The
primary should be established by law,
and protected by law, and the crim
inal law shall deal firmly with fraud
and corruption. Our select tons must
be pure, and our nominations must be
by the full and fair expression of the
popular will. Abuses have sometimes
been practiced under systems not
adequate to present conditions, these
abuses must be eradicated and pro-
rtded against The aafety of Mm atate
fldence In popular government de
mands It. The obligation tor this fun
dametal reform is with this General
Assembly and with the party now in
power.
Insurance.
The law regulating lire insurance
should be amended. The rate of in
surance which the people of the state
must pay and the rules regulating the
Insurance business are now fixed by
the South Eastern Underwriters' As
sociation. This monopoly controls
the Insurance of the South. There
Is no competition. The protection
trora fire of our homes and families, of
our property and Industry is a ne
cessity. We must have Insurance,
and we must take this Insurance un -
der the present law, from a monopoly
exercising Its powers unrestrained by
law. We paid last year (3.733,690.17
In premiums to this monopoly. There
was paid to the people of the state
In compensation for losses by fire 11,
679.280.77. We pale to the companies
constituting this monopoly more than
12,000,000 In excess of the amount re
turned for losses. This 62,000,000 was
not all profit, for tiie expense of oper
ating the business Is considerable.
The last General Assembly appoint
ed a committee to Investigate the
working of these companies as affect
ing the people of North Carolina. This
committee found that rates are not
uniform, and In many Instances too
high, and that the rules of Insurance
are not equitable and just. I send to
you the report of this committee.
However, this may be, this monopoly
is a public service concern.
The Insurance Department has been
ably managed and wisely managed
by the Insurance Commissioner. He
needs more power that he may serve
the people more effectively, and ex
ercise a control over this monopoly
Just as our Corporation Commission
excerclses control over the railroads
and other public service corporations
of the State. The individual citizen
has not the power to deal with It on
equal terms, and to assert his rights.
He must accept the terms - proposed
or be deprived of necessary protection.
The State alone can deal with this
monopoly, and the state will be der-
elect in her duty If she allow these
corporations to fix insumnce rates
and to control without supervision the
insurance business by their own ar
bitrary and unlimited power. .
The General Assembly should con
fer upon the Insurance Commissioner
the power to fix maximum rates, and
provide by statue for reasonable rules
and for uniform rates on each class
of property. At present the South
eastern Underwriters Association, the
representative of the conblned insu
rance companies of the south, has the
power to fix the terms of the con
tract between theBe companies and
the people of the state. Millions of
Dollars are involved in this contract,
and If this monopoly, representing
foreign corporations, treat the people
of North Carolina with justice and
equity, It constitutes the one excep
tion m all of our business experience.
The people should have' a voice in
this contract. The Insurance Commis
sioner should have the power to rep
resent them, and to speak for them.
Every argument against state super
vision and control of Insurance has
been made against the control of ev
ery monopoly. The falacy of all has
been demonstrated by the logic or ex
perience. ','
Highways.
The people have awakened to the
necessity of good roads. We realize
they are an indespensable factor
tor material prosperity and for social
advancement. We are building, more
highways than ever before, and are
expending thereon millions of dollars,
tt has been estimated by experts that
from thirty to forty per cent of the
money spent on public roads is rela
tively speaking wasted or misdirected.
President Wilson at the recent meet
ing of the American Road Congress in
Atlanta, oald:
'As Important as the matter of pro
viding additional funds may be for
, . better maintenance of
- con,tructed." "It V
roads, already
clear, . continued he, "that we; are
not gating the results , w v should
have," ! . t ' -
This General .Assembly should es
tablish a1 Highway Commission com
posed of experts, or of men who would
make a study of this improvement.
They should direct the expenditure of
all road money, and they should see
that maintenance gets as much atten
tion as .construction. "'
Forests.
The Qeneral Assembly should pro
vide for the protection of our forests
against ravages by fire and commer
cialism. . The forests provide the rains
that water the crops.; They supply
and conserve the streams that turn
the wheels of, Industry. ; The failure
to save from ruthless destruction our
magnificent wooded areas, will work
an irreparable damage to ourselves
and to our posterity. The lumberman
is now denuding the mountains mow
ing down their, luxuriant covering, si
the reaper motos a field of wheat.
After him sweeps the conflagration,
turning .the once magnificent slopes
and peaks into: vast . desolation of
blackened raid. ; We cannot . expect
the lumberman to sacrifice his lndivt:.
dual interest to the public welfare.' I
The state mutt exercise her power by 1
proper regulation to save the forests
and thereby preserve to the stmts this
priceless rentage. , .
State's Prison. ' "
The State's Prison has been man
aged with economy, honesty and busi
ness efficiency. The report of the su-
rlntenaent 'transmitted to the Gen-
era) Assembly shows the condition of
the Prison and tbe operations in which
the Prison has been engaged. It
shows a balance to the Prison's credit
above the cost of maintenance. And
in this account the convicts of the
I jtate have done much work on the
Hickory Nut Gap Road and on the
road In Madison County for which the
Prison has no credit.
Some years ago the state gave as
sistance by convict labor to certain
railroad companies to enable them to
construct railroads to remote and dif
ficult places not provided with rail
way transportation. These convicts
could ha"e been hired to do work of
the same kind at the rate of 11.50 or
11.75 a day each. The appropriation
1 of convicts was the equivalent to the
appropriation of money out of the
state treasury. As direct compensa
tion for the labor of the prisoners, the
state has accepted, in accordance with
legislative enactment, stock in rail
road companies that bai no market
value The state has appropriated a
value In these convicts to these rail
road, companies, realizing that the
stock taken in payment is probably
worthless. The real compensation to
the state Is to develop rich and Inac
cessible sections inhabited by a por
tion of our citizenship desiring end
deserving the facilities of communica
tion and transportation with other
portions of the state. In this way the
state has appropriated as evidenced by
stock:
To to Elkln & Alleghany '
Ry. Company.. .. .. ..$193,500.00
To the Watouga & Yadkin
Ry Company .. .. .. . . 18,000.00
To the Stateavlle Air Line
Ry. Company ...... .. 58,800.00
To the Mattamuskeet Ry Co. 99,765.00
To the Transcontinental Air
Line Ry. Company .. .. 17,200.00
Making a total of . . . . ..(387,265.00
And In addition to the above
amounts (21.56t.59, for which stock
has not yet been received, making In
all (408,829.69. -
These convicts have been appro
priated under statutes vesting the
power and discretion in the Governor
and the Council of State, to decide
when such convicts should be appro
priated. All of these statutes should
be amended so as to clothe the board
of directors of the State's Prison with
this power and discretion. This pow
er does not legitimately belong to the
Governor and the Council of State. It
does legitimately belong to the Prison
Board. The Governor and the Coun
cil of State cannot In the very nature
of the situation exercise the power
with a thorough knowledge of the af
fairs of the Prison and a comprehen
slve view of Its necessities and opera
tions. The Prison .Board should have
entire charge of the Prison, and all
convicts committea to tne rnson. i ne
statutes In their present form Impose
incongruous duties upon the Governor
and Council of State. This Is no long
er desirable or advisable, but Is an
unwarranted Interference with the
Prison Board in Its management of
the Prison.
. Public Health.'
The State Board of Health has effi
ciently performed a beneficlent work.
By Its agency sanitary conditions are
improving. This department should
be provided with means to continue
with Increasing effectiveness this most
essential work -for the preservation of.
life and for the health and happiness
of all the people.
, Tubersuloais.
The problem of dealing with tuber
culosis ia most serious. In North Car
olina it has been ascertained that
eighteen thousand people are the vic
tims of this disease:-Many may have
tt of whom we do not know. It Is
an ever present plague that stalks
abroad at noon day, and one-seventh
of all the deaths in the state are from
this dreaded disease. The Santtorium
at Montrose was established , In re
sponse to the demand that something
must be done for the afflicted, and to
stop t'.ie ravages of the plague. In my
opinion this Institution with its pres
ort scope and efficiency Is utterly in
capable of dealing effectively with the
situation. As an Institution for the
purpose of educating people to care
for .themselves, , and : disseminating
knowledge of the disease, tt cannot
be aa effective as could a bureau
established for tbe purpose of sending
literature to every person in the state
known to be afflicted. Such literature"
could present the situation more intel
ligently to the people, and with more
efficacy than could be done by a few
patients who ore fortunate enough to
secure admission to the small estab
lishment at Montrose. , There are now
about ninety patients' in this Institu
tion. It is most humanely and most
ably managed. Yet. it Is altogether
Inadequate to deal with this stupen
dous proposition that so vitally ef
fects the people.. It has done good in
Individual instances, but there . are
thousands in the state who - cannot
gain admittance, and who will' desire
admittance when Its efficiency is
recognized. This Institution can never
care for those entitled to admission.
On the present plan, the whole revenue
of the atate could not meet the de
mand. It is one of the highest obli
gations of the state to deal with this
disease, to do all possible to prevent
it, and to cure those, who have It I
hope that this General Assembly can
work out a practical method that will
bo effective.
. Ttt etati'e wWHlLtlsrik '
I aa satisfied thai tt would be ecos
omy, and good business that all the
Institutions of the state with the ex
ceplon of the State's Prison, should
be put under the management of one
board of not more than five members.
This board should have charge of, and
direct supervision of tbe business
management of these Institutions. I
am satisfied that such a system would
save to thestate thousands of dollars
every year But, if the General As
sembly, should not see proper to adopt
this plew, I recommend that the Gen
eral Assembly shall direct that the
Governor require that each state In
stitution shall make to him In such
form and detail aa he may prescribe,
a monthly or weekly report, aa to
their business management and con
dltlon. This would give tbe Governor
at all times a clear Insight into the
workings of our Institutions, and ac
complish much Id the way of economy
and uniform business efficiency,
Child Labor.
The last General Assembly enacted
a statute compelling the attendance
of children upon the public schools.
This statute should be enforced. The
child cannot work at manual labor to
advantage, but his mind Is eager for
knowledge and most retentive. His
character Is responsive to culture. The
factory is no place for the child. The
drugery of toll Is not his rightful In
heritance, before his bones are hard,
or his muscles are firm. If we grind
the seed corn, there will be a failure
In the crop of men. We should have
upon our statute books a law forbid
ding children of tender years to work
In mills or factories, and limiting the
hours- of labor of those who are of
sufficient age to Work. This law
should provide that women shall not
work at night In the mills. Mother
hood should not be condemned to
such services. And this law should
be vitalized with safeguards for Its
enforcement If, In our most progres
sive centers of industry and thrift, the
family cannot live without the work
of children and the drudgery of wom
en, then our civilization has broken
down, and Is a failure.
I commend the mill men of North
Carolina for the humane spirit with
which they have cared for the health
and education of their employees, and
the children of their employees.
Western Training School.
. The General Assembly should ear
nestly consider the establishing of ad
ditional training schools for teachers
for the western part of the state. We
are paying out large sums to teachers
who by reason of circumstances and
lack of convenient schools of proper
character and facilities, have not
been able to equip themselves effi
ciently for their work. Salaries paid
for Inefficient teachers must result in
a more serious loss to the state than
salaries paid for inefficient work in
any other business or profession. We
must create facilities which are con
venient and within the reach of those
who must teach the children of the
tate A 8plendld 8nd W8ll pipped
,chool haB beea MlMltsheA in the
east. For a number of terms the leg
islature has considered a school for
the western section similar to that
established at Greenville. . The west
desires this school located at some
convenient point within reach of many
counties not yet provided for. Many
superintendents have brought to my
attention the absolute need of such a
school I earnestly recommend that a
school similar to the school at Green
ville be established at aome point In
the western part of the state, located
to serve the people of that locality. It
would result in the inestimable bene
fit to the people and stimulate our in'
tellectual as well as material develop
ment.
Administration Officers Should be Ap
pointed by the Governor,
If, In obedience to the expressed
wishes of all political parties, we pro
vide primary elections for the nomi
nation of state and federal officers, it
would be difficult, If not impossible for
the people to exercise an Intelligent
choice in the nomination of adminis
trative officials. The people can, and
do center their view upon those who
would stand at the head of the gov
ernment The whole trend of thought
of the age Is for the short ballot, for
the direct responsibility to the people
of those whom they can know and can
intelligently select " If this General
Assembly should clothe the Oovernor
with the power to appoint all of the
administrative officials of the atate,
except those named in the Constitu
tion, it would accomplish a reform of
immense benefit. President Wilson
said: "Put all your eggs In one bas
ket and watch, tbat basket" The
Governor to a large extent Is held re
sponsible for the affairs of his admin
istration. Give him the power to se
lect the men that shall direct those
affairs. Hold him responsible, and tie
will be responsive to the peoples' will.
The terms of the present Incumbents
of these position would of course not
be affected. They are all able and
faithful servants. Their appointment
by the Governor would unify the ad
ministration and Increase ...the effi
ciency of the government. ,
You come as the .representatives of
the people to write the statutes of a
states pressing forward to nobler
achievements. We look to you for the
policies that will direct us in the way
of substantial progress and encourage
to renewed energy. You will perform
your task with fidelity and courage,
and nay you, be gnlded by the wisdom
and sustained bj the strength vouch
safe to all who are steadfast In . the
resolve to do right' -- - ' '
;;(-,- . V.-L . LOCKE CRAIG.
- Governor of North Carolina. '
' January 7th, 1915. '
"Vaporize" Cronn
or low iroubm
. .. . -1
Tmnr tMltmnta tnr jmM (,i t
better than internal mediaum, as the va
pors oariT the medloatton diraot to the
lungs and air passages without disturbing
the stomach. .. ,
When Vick's "V.p-O-Rub" Ralve Is ep
&Um1 ovar the thraai and ehaafc m
inhalad with each hnath. lAvta7-
na ttNumt has m n4,"WAr'
The Wl Fool.
"Time works ynders." observed
the sage. '
"So could 1 if Iwere tireless aa
time," responded 'o'-
"CAS&WtfS" FOR
No sick
sour stomac!
biliousriVS ol constipation
byyiorhing,
Get a 10-cent now.
Turn the rascakO"1-118
biliousness, lndlgestMUthe,
stomach and foul gases-
out to-night and keep the
Cascareta.
Millions of men and worn.
Cascaret now and then an
know tbe misery caused by a
Hvap olnffffpri hnwnls or an unset Stom
ach.
Don't put In another day of distress.
Let Cascarots cleanse your stomach,
remove the sour, fermenting food,
take the excess bile from your liver
and carry out all the constipated
waste matter and poison In the
bowels. Then you will feel great
A Cascaret to-night straightens you
out by morning. They work while
you sleep. A 10-cent box from
any drug store means a clear head,
sweet ctomach and clean, healthy liver
and bowel action for months. Chil
dren love Cascarets because they
never gripe or sicken. Adv.
Bacteria In Coal
Mr. C. Potter has recently shown
before tbe Royal society tn London
that In certain conditions of exposure
to the air charcoal, coal, peat and oth
er amorphous forms of carbon under
go a slow process of oxidation pro
duced by bacteria. It is suggested that
this fact may account for the deteri
oration of stored coal, Its gradual loss
of weight, and its occasional sponta
neous heating in ship's bunkers. If the
bacteria are not the sole cause of these
things they may Induce them, chemical
oxidation accompanying and continu
ing that begun by the organic agents.
The carbonization of vegetable coals,
says a French writer, is due to the In
terventlon of microbes at the begin
ning of their fossillzatlon. When the
coal reaches the air again, other bac
teria take up the work of fermentation
that was Interrupted millions of years
ago. Youth's Companion.
Serum Cure for Tetanus.
Doctor Doyen, the famous French
surgeon, announces the discovery of .
a serum that will cure tetanus or
lockjaw. The inventor Is a physician
In the Ardennes, and the secret of his
success lies in keeping the patient
with head downward at an angle of 45
degrees after Injecting the serum Into
his loins. Doyen says he cures 80
per cent of his cases.
Much of the wisdom of the ! u
reflected from the .foolishness of the -foolish.
Macon Telegranh.
The Meal
of Wheat
. The average yearly con
aumption of wheat in the
United State it neatly tix
bushel for every man, woman
and child.-' '.
Much of the nutriment of
the wheat u loit because the
vital mineral salt stored by
Nature under the Bran-coat
are thrown out to mate flour
white. ; .
In making
Grape
Nuts
FOOD
of choice wheat and mattt
barley, all the nutriment J
the mains, includina the rhjrJ
oral value necessary for build
ing sturdy brain, nerve and
muscle, is retained. ' .
" Everywhere Grape-Noti
food hat proven a wonderful
energize of brain and brawn
and you may be s-j V
' ;i. ,, - .
u
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f
aw
ai
nt