North Carolina Newspapers

GOVERNOR CRAIG'S MESSAGE TO THE STATE LAWMAKERS To the Honorable, the General Assem- IX bly of North Carolina: it The laat two yean has been an era !j of substantial progress The energy ' of the, etate has been manlteet In her lnduetrlal and aoclal, development. " Agriculture baa Improved. Trade and manufacturing ha* Increased. The a European War haa depressed values, ' and depressed business, but already " conditions are Improving and the de termination and intelligence of the ' people are prevailing over unexpected disaster. The sudden tall in the price ' of cotton resulting from the closing 0 of the markets by war, and our un precedented crops, have caused a shock that demoralised business, and discouraged enterprise. The present crop falls short of its expected value by millions of dollars. This calamity haa fallen heavy. It has brought dis aster to many that are industrious and worthy. The president of the United State* 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. But no power of government can defy world wide economic conditions, and any r plan to valorise cotton or to compel r all the people by legislation to buy c this staple at a price above its market value, is in my opinion unsound mor ally and. economically, and must re- t suit in failure and disappointment, f whether attempted by the federal gov- 1 ernkent or by the state government, e We have been blessed with years of i advantageous circumstances, and will p triumphantly overcome this reverse. a If tbe present unfortunate situation can demonstrate to our farmers the necessity of diversifying crops; of producing meat and bread at home, the present misfortune will result to our permanent good. Within tbe 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 entitled, the best available adjustment was made. By this a sav ing estimated at $2,000,000 a year on Interstate commerce was secured. But of far greater consideration Is the placing of our enterprises on a friend ly competitive basis with the enter prises of the State of Virginia. Indus tries heretofore attracted to Virginia will remain with us. Our towns and cities feel tbe Impulse and the people will ultimately be benefited. Charges for the?transportation of freight within the state hare been fixed by a commission appointed by the Coventor In accordance with a statute" of the last General Assembly. The railroads have applied the re duced rates fixed by the commission. Intrastate commerce will be encour aged to the welfare of all sections of ths 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 tbe 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 hare manifested an earnest desire to con duct the transportation business as public servants In harmony with the i 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 Oeneral Assembly for careful- consideration the reports of the different departments of gov ernment and Institutions of the state. You will see from thess 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 I Investigated by competent experts, and In the hon esty of their conduct they are above reproach. , V , There are problems of grave import ance that confront this "Oeneral As sembly and as commanded by the Consttlutlon, I submit te.yop 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 6very feasible means should be the fixed purpose of this General Assembly, Eighty per cent of our people live upon the farms. Their destiny and the destiny of the state and of all of the people of the state in all occupations is largely .de termined by conditions that prevail In rural communities. Thence cometh our strength, and thence the crop of men. V Revenue and Taxation. The revenue for the last two years has met all the obligations of the state. There Is a small balance in the treasury above al> demands. This fact must be gratlfying'-to this -Gen eral Assembly, and-to ail the people, for it is the first time,in'many years 'that this condition has existed. Our revenue ejtaem, however, is far from i satisfactory, The problem of taxation Is ways difficult and vital. The gov ernment must be economically admin istered- No extravagance has existed i in this state, and none should be tel- i eratsd. bat we most provide revenue i or all appropriations and necessary ; ixpeases. With the state as with the ndlvidual, the elementary rule of har ness is to lire within your means forth Carolina has ample resources rith which to meet all her obligations. Vtthln the last decade the value of 11 real property has enormously In reaaed, and personal wealth has been multiplied. We cannot repudiate the obllga ions of Christian civilisation. Now hat the land is yielding bountiful arvests, now that the stagnant towns if the test generation have grown into Itles of increasing wealth, now that udustry is triumphant, now that dee lny is unfolding to us in grander rev-; latlon -shall we in this day of our trength not tulflll the duties of a progressive state? We must support >ur Institutions of learning to lncreas ng usefulness. We should listen to he appeal of the Confederate soldier, nd to those stricken in mind and lody. We must provide for the im irovemeot et our rural communities .nd for aggressive work for .the pre entlon of disease and for the conser atlon of health. In this new century, rben southern Ideals have been re itored to the union, when southern talesmen have come again to places >f power, when the future beckons to enewed effort and life. Forward is the irder. Property Net Assessed. The fault with our fiscal system is hat we do not assess our property or taxatloa. Real estate, and espec ally unimproved real estate, and real istate held for Speculation, have been [really undervalued, and most of the personal property has not bedn listed it all It should be understood that be quadriennlal assessment will be or the purpose of lowering the rate A taxation, and with the determlna lon of securing a more equitable and i more complete listing of' taxable >roperty. A graduated tax on inherl ances should be increased ' and it ihould be collected. Our citizens do not refuse to return heir property for taxation because hey desire to take advantage of oth ers, but for the reason that they do tot desire that other men and other tommuniies shall take advantage of hem and of their communities. The jropery has not been equally assess ed for taxation, and for this reason neo are actuated by purpose to un iervalue property, and to refuse to list heir solvent credits. They would be arilltng to submit to square deal, but ieslre to protect themselves against nan si a Ilk ur The personal property of the aver ige man cannot be concealed. The wcnritlea of the wealthy can be con sealed . The average citizen paya hie lax; the wealthy often escape. The Tax Commission'should be clothed with plenary powers to enforce the listing tf all property for taxation, and to en force the uniform and Just valuation bf all property. Every citizen should bear the burdens of government In proportion to his ability. This policy ?hould be carried out with unalter able determination. On a subject related to the Bnances, [ recommend that the General As sembly require the State Treasurer to give as bis surety for the faithful ilscharge of the duties of his office a bond executed by one or more surety companies, and that this bond be paid Tor by the state; that the Treasurer be allowed to put out at Interest all available moneys In hie 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. ThU lemand la in accor^jrith the spirit of ;he age, and has already found legal sxpresslon in all the states of the Union with few exceptions. The dem icratlc party, the republican party, tnd the progressive party In state invention assembled declared {hat: luch a law. The democratic party in convention assembled declred that: 'We endorse the principle of the leg illzed statewide primary for all nat ional, state and Judiciary officers, and we pledge the party to the enactment it such a law as will make this prin ciple applicable to all political per The members of the General Assem bly hold their commissions with the pledge to all the people for thla re form. This la democracy. It gives to the people the legalized machinery :hat provldea the opportunity for j svery citizen to participate In the lomlnatkra of candidates, and In the ?election of the public servants that must administer the government. Po litical conventions and party, alleg ience urge the citizen to vote for the nominee of his party. He should have i voice In their selection, otherwise, :he great majority really has no voice n the administration of public affairs that are of vital Interest to all. The means should be provided for the full tnd free exercise of this right The primary should be established by law, tnd protected by law, and the crim inal law shall deal firmly with fraud tnd corruption. Our selections 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 idequate to present conditions, these ibuses mnst be eradicated and pro vided against. The safety of the state lemand It. The preservation of oon Idence In popular government de mands It. The obligation for this fnn lametal reform la with this General kssembly and with the party now In power. Insurance. The law regulating Ore Insurance ihould be amended. The lata of In turance which the people -of the etate must pap and the rulea regulating the m 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 from fire of our homes and families, of our property and Industry la * ne cessity. We must have Insurance, and we must take this Insurance un der the present law, from a monopoly exercising Us powers unrestrained by law. We paid last year $3,733,$90.17 In premiums to this monopoly. There was paid to the people of the state In compensation for losses by fire $1, 670,280.77. We paid to the companies constituting this monopoly more than $2,600,000 th excess of the amount re turned for losses. This $2,000,040 Was not all profit, for the 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 pedt>le 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 Judt. I send to you the report of this committee. However, thts 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 cttlten has not the power to deal wttb It on equal terms, and to assert bis 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 theae corporations to"*flx tnsumnce 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 these 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 i tlon In 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. Highway*. The people hare awakened to the necessity ot good roads. We realize that they are an lndespensable (actor for material prosperity and (or social advancement. We are building more highways than ever before, and are expending thereon millions of dollars. It 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, said: | "As important as the matter of pro viding additional funds may be for roads, and of better maintenance of roads already constructed." "It Is clear," continued he, "that we are not getting the results - We should have." , This General Assembly should es tablish a 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 ipuch atten tion as construction. Forests. The General Assembly should pro vide for the protection of our forests I against ravages by Are and commer cialism. The forests provide the rains that water the crops. They supply and conserve the streams that turp 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, as the reaper mpws a field of wheat. | After him sweeps -he conflagration, taming the once magnificent slopes [ and peaks into vast desolation of blackened ruin. We cannot expect | the lumberman to sacrifice his Indivi dual interest to the public welfare. The state must exercise her power by proper regulation to save the forests and thereby preserve to thp state this priceless heritage. Stat*'* Prison. The State'* Prison n*s been man aged with economy, honesty and busi ness efficiency. The report of the su perintendent transmitted to tha Gen eral Assembly shows the condition of the Prison and the operations In which the Prison has been engaged. It shows a balance to the PrlsotN credit above the cost of maintenance. And in this account the convicts of the state 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 year* ago the state gave as sistance by convict labor to certain railroad companies to enable tham to construct railroads to remote and dif-| flcult place* not provided with rail way transportation. These cqnvlcls I could hav? been hired to do wprk ot the same hind at the rale of ?i .'?? or 11,75 a dhy' each The appropriation of coavleta 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, tn accordance with letlslatlve enactment, stock In rail road companies that has no market value. The state has appropriated a value In tbeae convicts to these rail road companies, realising that the stock taken In payment' fp 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 and deserving the facilities of communica tion and transportation with other portions of the etate. In this way the state has appropriated as evidenced by stock: To to Elkln & Alleghany Ry. Company ?193,500.60 To the Watauga A Yadkin Ry Company 18,000.60 To the 8tatesvile Air Line Ry. Company .. .. .. ? - ? 58,800.00 To the Mattamuskeet Ry Co. 99,785.00 To the Transcontinental Air Line Ry. Company .. .. 17,200.00 Making a total of. $387,265.00 And In addition to. the above amounts $21,584.59. for which stock has not yet been received, makldg in all $408,829.59. These convicts have been appro priated under etatutes vesting the power and diacretlon In the Governor and the Coancfl of 8tate, to decide when such convicts should be appro priated. AU of; these statutes should be amended so as to clothe the board of directors of the 8tate'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. Tbe Governor and the Coun- i ell of State cannot in the very nature of the situation exercise the power with a thorough knowledge of tbe af fairs of the Prison and a comprehen sive view of Its necessities and opera tions. The Prison Board should have entire charge of the Prison, and all convicts committed to the Prison. The 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 la Its management of the-Prison. Public Health. ? The State Board of Health has effi ciently performed a beneflclent work. By Its agency sanitary conditions are improving. This department should be provided with means to continue with increasing effectiveness this most essential for th* pp>?"rratlna of life and for the health and happiness of all the people. Tuberaulosis. Tbe problem of dealing with tuber culosis Is most serious. In North enr ol Ins It hss been ascertained that eighteen thousand people are the ric tims of this disease. Many may have It 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 Sanitarium at Montrose was established in re sponse to the demand that something must be done for the afflicted, and to stop the ravages of the plague. In my opinion this Institution with Its pres ent 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, it cannot be as effective as could a' bureau established for the purpose of sending literature to every person In the state known to be afflicted. Such literature could present the Aftuatlon more Intel ligently to the people, and with more efficacy than could be done by a few patients who are 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 inadequa's to deal with this stupen dous proposition that so vitally* ef fects tbe 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 recognised. This institution can never care for those entitled to admission. On the present plan, the whole revenue of the state could not meet the de mand. It ia one of the highest obli gations of the state to deal wltk this disease, to do all possible to prevent It, and to cure those who have It. t hope that thla General Assembly can work out a practical method that will be effective. " . ~ The State's Institutions. I am satisfied that it would be econ omy, a'nd good business that all the Institutions of the state with the ex cepion qf the State's Prison, should be put under the management of one board of not more than Are members. This board should hare charge of, and direct supervision of the business management of these institutions. I am satisfied that such a system would save to the state thousands of dollars every year But, If the General As sembly,- should not see proper to adopt this piew, I recommend that the Gen eral Assembly shall direct that the Governor require that each effete in stitution shall make to him in sucli form and detail as he may prescribe, a monthly or weekly report, as to their business management and con dition. This would give the Governor at all tithes a clear Jnsight Into the workings of our institutions, and, ac complish much In the way of economy and uniform business efficiency. Child Labor. She last General Assembly enacted tutute compelling the attendance" of children upon the public schools. This statute should be enforced. The ehlld cannot work at manual'labor to advantage, but his mind la eager for knowledge and most retentive. Hit character Is responsive to culture. The factory Is no place for the chfld. The drugery of toll la not his rlgktful'ln berttance, before his bones *Ye hard, or hi* muscle* are firm. If we grlmt 7 the eeed corn, there w.11 be * failure la the crop of tun\./ V/e should have upon our statute ly>oks a lew forbid din* childreu of lender years to work In mills or facto/ies, and limiting the hours of labor, of those who are of, sufficient ace to work. This law should provide that women shall not work at nlcht la the mills. Mother hood should' not be condemned to such services. And this law should be vitalized with safecuards for Its enforcement. If. In our most prof res sive centers of Industry and thrift, the family cannot live without the wbrk of children and the drudgery of wom en. then our civilization has broken down, and |s 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 -tralplng 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 la a more serious loss to the state than salaries paid tor Inefficient work In any other business or profession. We nidst create facilities which are'con venient and within the reach of those " who must teach the children of the state. A splendid and well equipped school has been established 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 some point In the western part of the state, located to serve the people of that locality. It would result In tha Inestimable bene fit to the people and stimulate our in tellectual as well as material develop ment. Administration umcers snouid De 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, U wonld 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 ago 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 Governor with- the power to appoint all of the administrative officials of the state, 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 that' 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 he will be responsive to the peoples' will. The terms of the present Incumbents of these positions 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 tor 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 may you be guided by the wisdom and sustained by the strength vouch safe to all who are steadfast'ln the resolve to do right. LOCKE CRAIG, Governor of North Carolina. January 7th, 1?15. 1 . 11 Delicately Put Two sisters while visiting la Ire land In Victoria's time got Into con versation one day with a tenant of their hostess. One of the girls, who Is quite stout, asked the old woman If she would have known them for sis ters. "Well." wa* the answer, "ye look alike, but yer sister's slender, while you, miss?well, you favor the quane." * Make Sunflower Uaeful. In some countries, notably in the Russian provinces north of the Cau casus, the sunflower serves other pur poses besides ornamenting gardens with its huge golden blossoms. The seeds are used to make oil, which is employed both in the manufacture of bo?p and in cooking. The stams and. leaves are burned and the ashes used to make potash. Last year the sun flower factories of the Caucasus pro duced 15,000 tons of potash. 1 " Destroying Nature's Barriers. There are four kinds of barriers 01 divisions set up by natnre upon the face of ,the earth- mountains, forests, deserts, rivers. The first, the moun tains. man cannot remove, but he can and does go through them to save the trouble and difficulty of going over them. ' The second, the forests, he has largely cleared away altogether. The third, "the deserts, he is beginning to treat like the forests. The fourth, the rivers, he is beginning to shift when it suits b's purpose and to regulate their flow at will. The Way of Prices. The news of au advance, in prices travels much faster than a reduction which may follow.?Atchison Globe. Another Try. Rpcruitlng Offlcer?What's the good of coming hers sad saying you're only seventeen years old! Go and walk , around that yard and* come bask and sss U you're act niaeteen.?Punch. HEACTH OFFICERS FOR Pin (.eng Fight End* in N*w Y*ar Decis ion For Wholo-Timo Health M*n. Raleigh.?A telegram from Ureea rllle to the State Board ot Health an neuoced that Pitt county la the next to have a whole-time county health of flver The matter h*? been pending, before the commtssloneri ot Pitt tor some time. It tins been a county issue brought to bear by the friends of good health condition* and by the advocate* ot systematic health policy for th* county to hare this step taken. "Th* commissioners had the right kind ot a new year spirit," says a bulletin of the State Board of Health In rerard to this matter, "when they voted unanimously for a whole time county health officer. This was the termination ot a long and continuous effort on the part of the county's wide awake and progressive citizens In be half of their people's better health and welfare and the decision 1* a positive one. "Th* next step In which the com mlsslonarlee will again make no mis take. will be to get the light man for the office. Health work Is not the peculiar fitness of every physician. Neither is If a matter ot experience and training easily to be had. As In other similar professions, a special fitness and efficiency Is required. It will not be Pitt county's policy to rush unadvisedly In filling the office." The State Board of Health plans eventually to give to the county whole time health officers such training and such courses In sanitary education that will Insure the standardisation of th* public health work. A tentative plan to this effect has been prepared and looks to a course of Instruction lasting six or seven weeks. Carries Cargo of Cotton. Wilmington.?TB* City of Savan nah, a passenger and freight steamer of the Ocean Steamship Company, sailed from Wilmington a few days' ago under charter by D. H. Uppett ot thle city with 9,629 bales of cotton, valued at about 2400,000, her destina tion being Rotterdam. Thle la the second fall cargo of cotton sent from Wilmington to a foreign" port this tea son, the other shipment being on the steamer Raven for Rotterdam. Succseds Noah B<na. Scotland Neck.?At a meeting of the executive committee of the Roan oke Baptist Association Rev. R. A. McFarland.pastor of the Scotland Neck Baptist Church, waa appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the re cent death of Noah Biggs. COMING EVENTS. Annual Live Stock Meeting, Stateevllle? I January 19-21. 1915. TAR HEEL BREVITIES. John C. Drewry has been elected president of the Capital Club at Ral eigh. Charlotte was visited1, by a severe wind and rain storm a fpw days ago. Klnaton Is discussing the city man ager form of government. _ The publication of The State Jour nal has been resumed here under the ownership of Col. Alex Field, who was one of the founders of the paper.' The first Issue of resumed publl*tioo ap peared recently. The Ashevlle Ministers Association at a meeting recently gave Its endorse ment to the proposed bill looking to i the restriction of marriages In this I state, adopting resolutions similar to those which have been adopted by other bodies of ministers during the past few weeks. The Spring term of the East Caro lina Teachers Training School has began. Applications continue to come in, every room Is taken. The attend ance would not doubt run up 10ft more . If room could be had. I. G. Whltlock, aged <2. a Confed erate veteran of Maxton died recently. Wilmington Is considering the city manager plan of government. Ashevllle's fire losW for the year 1914 amounted to |1T 1,73t. ' Greensboro banks have paM out $30,000 In dividends this year. W. M. Barker, aged 91. Salisbury's oldest citisen, died a few days ago. Building operations In Raleigh dur ing the year 1914 rounded out ^tfly one add a half million dollars. Direr torn'of the North Carolina Railroad held their annual meeting at Charlotte recently. Acting upon legal advice Sheriff Richard B. Lane recently closed the doors of the Mutual Aid Banking Company, a negro concern of New Bern and telegraphed the Corporation Commission to send an examiner to look Into the affairs of the institutions Henderson and Mecklenburg Coun tels are soon to Join other counties In the state that maintain whole-time health officers according to Dr. W. S. Rankin, who has just returned from an Inspection trip to both of these and other western counties. This will make 13 counties that have whole time health officers. Seventy-Ova men and women at Ashevllle have formed a local court of Ben-Hur. Judge Oliver H. Allen, the senior of North Cerollne's twenty superior court judges In point of service, re cently took the oaths before Magis trate H. C. V. Peebles at Ktqston. While out hunting rabbits In Tay lor's township. Mr. Alvln Qrtce met an untimely death. In attempting to put hlB dog over a wire fence his gun was prematurely discharged and the whole load of shot entered the region of the heart killing him almost In stantly. Winston-Salem has employed a whole time health officer to look after the sanitary work of the city. The Woman's Club of Raleigh will soon begin the erection of a hand some .building for their-use. When Judge James L. Webb com pletes this new term as Judge of the sixteenth Judicial district he will have served over 22 years as solicitor and Judge without any opposition what ever from his own party and very lit tle from the Republican party. He was sworn In as Judge by T. K. Harn ett. a 'Shelby magistrate and is enter lag upon n new term. K - .-v. v.'i HEMDFMEIHDnST ORPHANAGE IS DEM REV. OR. JOHN NELSON COLE OF RALEIGH PASSES AWAY AFTER LONG ILLNESS. FUNERAL HELD AT DURHAM Noted Preacher and Laadar Among North Carolina Methodlata Ana were the Final Summona. Charlotte.?Rev. Dr. John Nelson Cole, superintendent of the Methodist orphanage In Raleigh and one of the Mate's beet beloved and most useful citizens, passed away at a hospital In Charlotte where he had been under treatment since the latter part of November, for the past two years Dr. Cole's health had not been good. Last spring he suffered an attack and came to Charlotte for medical atten tion, remaining here about two weeks. His system responded well to the treatment and he was ?oon able to re turn to his arduous duties. On Thanks giving day however he suffered a re currence of his trouble and from this attack he never recovered. He came to Charlotte again for treatment but his strength was too tar gone for btm to rally successfully. His condition rapidly grew worse and It was soon seen that there was no hope. The end cabie just as the day was break ing and was very easy?sleep and a forgetting. The funeral took place in Durham at Trinity Methpdfst church. Dr. Cole was pastor of this church tor tour . years and It was his wish that his funeral be held there. ' tit Cole was born In Ftanklinton, February 10, 18(2 and was therefore 1(2 years of age at the time of his death. After attending the schools of his native place, he entered Ran dolph-Macon College from which he was graduated. Shortly thereafter be entered the ministry being ordained within the bounds of the North Caro lina Conference where he remained until the day of his death. Early In his young manhood, Dr.., Cole was wedded to Miss Baisabeth Marshall Jones of Mecklenburg coun ty, Va., to whom were born sli chil dren, namely. Miss Mary Cole of Ral eigh, Mrs. Plato. Durham of Atlanta, Oa.; Mr. John Nelson Cole, Jr., of New York City: Miss Marshall Cole. Miss Alice Cole, and Mr. Henry P. Cole of, Raleigh. MitchelCMonument Destroyed. AsheviUe?Unknown parties dyna mited and entirely destroyed the mon ument to Prof. Elisba Mitchell,-erect ed on the top of Mount Mitchell, ac cording/to advices reaching AsheviUe. The monument, which was composed of a mixture of brons and lead, was reduced to a shapless ruin- Forelgnors employed by a lumber company are said to have had trouble with one of the foremen recently and to have be lieved the monument the property of the company destroyed It No arrests have been made. Professor Mitchell, a Tale professor, but at the time connected with the faculty of the University, of North Carolina, proved that Mount Mitchell, 6,711 feet high, Is the highest point east of the Mississippi. Twenty-six years ago alumni of North Carolina bad the monument erected on the top of the peak to mark the last resting place of Professor Mitchell. The monument will be replaced. Patents Granted Tar Heels. Washington.?Davis and Day is, pat ent attorneys, report the great to cit izens of North Carolina of the follow ing patents: Hennlng F. Addlcks, Jr., Biltmore, binding-post; David S. Ballance, Wy socklng, combined cotton-chopper and cultivator; eorge H. Bryant, Wind sor, sash-bolder; a9amuel J. Fisher and C. E. J. Jones, Aahevllle, appara tus for disinfecting books; Edward J. Forney. Greensboro, subsoil attach ment for plows; Allen C. Parrls, Dills boro, nut-lock; Whltford W. Woodley, Elizabeth City, dust-handling; Olmedo C. Wysong, Greensboro, dovetail Joint and forming the same. Herty Heads Chemical Society. Chapel Hill.?Dr. Charlea Herty, heed of the department of chemistry of the University of North Carolina, has been elected president of the American Chemical Society for the year 1918 succeeding Prof. T. W. Richards of Harvard University. A telegram from Dr. Charles L. Parsons of the United States Bureau of Mines, secretary of the Chemical Society, of ficially notified the University profes sor of the distinction voted him?the highest honor within the gift of the American field of science. Will Not Entor Politico. Astaeville.?- Answering the suggeo Hon carried In many newspapers that I Secretary William Jennings Bryan purchase a summer home site at this city with a view to eventually wear Ing the toga as the representative of this state, the cabinet member declar ed that he has no Idea of entering North Carolina politics- Me declared that he is still a resident of Lincoln. Neb., and that he will continue to make that, city his home. AaherlUe property was fconght. he said, simply as a gljod location for a summer home. ?? ? ? - -? . For Bettor Sanitation. Hendersonvllle.?Since the authori ties decided to make Hendersonvllle a more sanitary city by enforcing the Installation of water closets where the property Is within 150 feet of k sewer liae, seveuty-dve connections have been made or contracted for. this within a period of thirty daya. There was some objection to this movement at first, hut the city au thorities deemed H necessary for the health of {he city to make this mora, hence the property owners am com plying with the order rapidly. . .. r . ? n