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