North Carolina manual [serial] (Volume 1951) online

maintained. The Democratic Party pledges to the people that the
financial aft'airs of the State shall remain in a solvent condition
and every effort will be made to meet the increased demands for
public services through greater efficiency and economy in govern-
ment rather than by the imposition of new taxes.

Education

The 1949 General Assembly authorized the largest appropria-
tion ever made for the support of the public school system and of
the institutions of higher learning.



Democratic Platform 135

The salaries of the teachers and the other employed personnel
were substantially increased. More teachers were provided to
lighten the pupil load resting on the individual teacher. A school
health program of inestimable value was instituted. The auxiliary
appropriated by the last General Assembly for the construction of
new buildings at the public institutions of the State. The consoli-
dated universities received $24,000,000 in appropriations for this
purpose. The teachers colleges, white and colored, received in ex-
cess of $15,000,000 for new buildings. Almost $40,000,000 was thus
appropriated for new buildings at the institutions for Higher Edu-
cation in cur State. All of this money was from the general fund
surplus. None of it was borrowed and no interest will have to be
paid.

The state's institutions of Higher Learning should receive from
the 1951 General Assembly the most generous financial support
that available revenues and a due regard to all of the needs of
the State Gcvernment make possible.

Highway Program

Roads, both primary and secondary, are the vital arteries of a
progressive and prosperous state.

Governor Scott requested the General Assembly to give the
people an opportunity to vote on $200,000,000 of bonds for build-
ing secondary roads. The Legislature agreed. The bonds were
voted and $125,000,000 have been received from the first two offers
to the public. A very low interest rate was had on these bonds,
which shews the esteem in which North Carolina is held in the
financial marts of the world. The roads are now being built.
When completed, this system of roads added to the previous ex-
panded primary system of roads will give us more hardsurface
roads under state control than any state in the Union.

We commend the General Assembly, Governor Scott, the State
Highway and Public Works Commission, and all persons who had
any part in performing this great service for the people of the
State. We pledge our undiminished support toward a wholly ade-
quate highway system.

We further commend the Scott Administration and the
Highway Commission for important improvements made during
the past year in the operation of the prison system. A first of-



136 North Carolina Manual

fender camp for youthful pi-isoners in Honoi' Grade has been
established at Butner. Numerous improvements have been made
in the prison farm program so that a great quantity of usable
food is being produced at the Department's sixty farm units
throughout the State. By stressing the need for economical and
efficient management the Prison Department continues to operate
within its allotted budget.

Highway Safety

The heavy accident toll on our highways is a matter of most
pressing concern to every citizen of our State. Needless numbers
of our people are losing their lives on the highways. We pledge
our best efforts to make the highways safe to travel. We com-
mend Governor Scott for being alert to this situation. We pledge
a pi'ogram of additional safety measures designed to give further
protections to the lives of our citizens while on the highways; and
we commend the urgency of the problem to the constructive con-
cern of the 1951 General Assembly.

Agriculture

Agriculture is a basic industry in North Carolina. Its pros-
perity determines to a large degree the prosperity of the entire
state.

We know that a prosperous farming population is essential to
all other prosperity in North Carolina. We have no big cities. We
have many fine rural communities in all sections of the State. For
our rural people to be happy and progressive, the Democratic
Party has for a long time insisted on an improved agricultural
"Know-how." W^e want to "know-how" to grow better crops than
any of our neighboring states. We have insisted on having the
best Agricultural and Technical Colleges in the South for the
study of our farm problems. We are proud of our State Depart-
ment of Agriculture. We point with pride to the work of the ex-
tension service.

The Democratic Party through its control of the State Govern-
ment for a half-century has made material contributions to the
stable prosperity of North Carolina agriculture.

We acknowledge that much remains to be done, but we pledge
our best effoi'ts to keep alert to the best methods of production



Democratic Platform 137

and marketing- and to keep our families well informed on the na-
tional price support program.

The success of the farm support program has been achieved
entirely under Democratic Administrations.

While on both the State and National levels, considerable prog-
ress had been made, yet much remained to be done by way of en-
riching the life of the farmer and his family. Better schools, more
research on agricultural problems, better marketing, and in par-
ticular, no statewide tax on land, are all conditions which must
be met. The pace of progress must not be slackened. To help the
farmer in meeting all of these conditions in order that he may
have a more abundant living is our hope and our pledge.

Public Welfare

The Democratic Party has consistently supported a program
for needed welfare services. During the biennium the State has
continued to make progress in the public welfare field, reflecting
the acceptance by the State of responsibility for the economic and
social well-being of all groups of citizens.

During the last General Assembly, by legislative enactment the
State recognized its responsibility for all persons in economic need
irrespective of special age groups. While we have moved ahead
from year to year in the effort to provide more adequately for
the needy aged and for dependent and neglected children, it is im-
portant that we take the necessary steps fully to implement the
provision for meeting needs of persons between 16 and 65 years
of age by utilizing State funds to supplement county appropria-
tions. Pending Federal legislation to strengthen public welfare
should, when passed, be put into immediate effect. Federal, State
and local cooperation is essential for raising average grants to
needy people to an acceptable minimum standai'd throughout the
State.

It is worthy of note by the Democratic Party that its efforts
through the years to broaden and strengthen public welfare serv-
ices have not only added immeasurably to the well-being of our
own people, but have also been recognized throughout the Nation
so that today North Carolina is known as a leader in the field
of public welfare.



138 North Carolina Manual

Public Recreation

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." It should be
interesting to the Democratic Party of North Carolina to note that
our State is the first to provide for a State-supervised Recreation
Program. This program of helping all classes and groups of our
citizens to enjoy this supervised type of healthful recreation has
brought wonderful results. Our people know that there is such
a thing as supervised recreation. We are indebted to those who
have spent time, talent and resources in the promotion of this
program. The Democratic Party pledges its interest and support
to all of our citizenship who have unselfishly organized and de-
veloped this progiam and wishes happiness and contentment to
those who share and profit by this program.

Health

North Carolina stands high among the states of the Union in
the provisions which it makes for public health. We have an
efficient Board of Health and a Hospital and Medical Care Pro-
gram which has already established its truly indispensable value.

One of the definite achievements of the Democratic Party has
been its vigorous promotion of the State's public health program,
particularly in the field of preventing diseases. Remarkable prog-
ress has been made in the prevention and treatment of tubercu-
losis. When the $8,000,000 building program for tubercular sana-
toria is completed next year, we expect waiting lists to be done
away with, and patients admitted for treatment on the same day
cases are diagnosed.

We, of the Democratic Party, feel that we must enlarge rather
than contract our support of our public health activities. In the
furtherance of this program many patriotic citizens, men and
women, have given of their best time and talent and when the
results of just a few future years have become revealed, there will
be a source of added satisfaction to those who have participated
and a genuine feeling of pride to the entire citizenship of the
State.

Mental Institutions

The 1949 General Assembly acted with commendable wisdom in
providing increased facilities and operating funds for the State's



Democratic Platform 139

mental institutions. The care now available to our mentally sick
citizens is of the highest professional standards. We must do more
rather than less for our mental hospitals.

The last two General Assemblies have appropriated substantially
increased sums for the housing and treatment of our mentally
sick. In fact, more money has been appropriated for new build-
ings at these institutions than had been spent on the construction
of the institutions from the beginning. When this full program
has been completed, we will approach adequacy in the housing and
treatment of this unhappy and unfortunate segment of our pop-
ulation.

We heartily commend the General Assemblies and those who
have been responsible for advancing this great program for the
benefit of those who have no spokesman to stand and plead their
cause at the time and place when others are seeking appropria-
tions. There is no alumni association to promote this group. The
heart of the great Democratic Party is their advocate and our
Party will always be filled with compassion for the cause of our
mentally sick.

Labor

A large segment of our non-farm population earn their living
in factories. Some of the finest men and women in our State
are wage earners, and occupy responsible positions in their plants
and communities. About 400,000 of them are taxpayers of the
State and Nation. They have added greatly to the income of the
State through increased value added by manufacturing.

The Democratic Party is the friend of the laboring man. The
Party has pledged its support to every enterprise tending to im-
prove the conditions surrounding his place of work, and in bring-
ing about safeguards against the hazards of his occupation.

The Democratic Party has been anxious for peace and har-
mony to prevail between Labor and Management. It has insisted
on the Department of Labor exercising its good offices in concilia-
tory services.

We are happy to state that the relations between management
and laboi- in North Carolina are unusually friendly and coopera-
tive. They have been during the past two years relatively few
strikes. The services rendered by the State Department of Labor



140 North Carolina Manual

have been capable and helpful. The Democratic Party, always
the friend of labor, pledges its fullest support of the proper de-
mands of those who contribute to the State's prosperity with their
skills and exertion.

Conservation and Development

The State Board of Conservation and Development has been
competently active in promoting the development of the toui'ist
industry, in attracting new businesses to the State, in protecting
our forest wealth from destruction by fire and in conserving our
natural resources from unwise depletion. We commend its efficient
services and pledge to its activities our enthusiastic support.

We have much to conserve, but more to develop than perhaps
any other Southern State with great natural resources.

On the Coast we have two potentially great harbors. The
General Assembly of 1949 made provision for $7,500,000 in bonds
for the development of these harbors. If and when the Ports
are fully developed, we shall see a great flow of exports and im-
ports, greatly to the benefit of trade and commerce in the State.

In the first half of this century, North Carolina has risen in
industrial rank from the bottom to the top among the states of
the Southeast. We are now recognized as the leading state of
the New South. The Democratic Party is vitally interested in
maintaining and enhancing this position. The location of each
new factory provides more jobs and greater purchasing power
for our people. It is the desire and pledge of the Democratic
Party to maintain in North Carolina an attractive and whole-
some atmosphere for those with investment capital who would
come to North Carolina and live in our midst.

We pledge our best efforts to provide here in North Carolina
the best balance between Tourist, Agriculture and Industry to be
found anywhere.

Telephones

In North Carolina, there are in excess of 500,000 telephones or
one phone for each 8 persons in our population. There are still
pending several thousand applications for additional phones. We
believe that those phones are being installed as reasonably rapidly
as equipment and personnel make it feasible to fill the orders.



Democratic Platform 141

Governor Scott has been very active in pushing the telephone
companies to give expanded service, and the Utilities Commis-
sion has been diligent in its effoi'ts to assist in extending this
service.

We commend the Governor, the Utilities Commission, and others
who have w^orked together in bringing this highly desirable utility
within the leach of more and moi^e of our people.

Rural Electrification

Starting in 1935 with only 4 per cent of our farms having
electricity the General Assembly of that year passed the Rural
Electrification Act. Fi-om then until now there has been a
constant increase in the number of farms with electricity. Today
about 85 per cent of all the farms in our State which desire elec-
tric current have received it. Lights and power are available
at the push of a button almost everywhere you may go within
the borders of North Carolina. We pledge to continue the efforts
of Governor Scott and those who have gone before in the ex-
pansion of this service until all of our people have been fully
served.

General

The State Government is the lai-gest enterprise in North Caro-
lina. It has thousands of employees. Its activities reach benefi-
cently into the life of every citizen and into every region of the
State. This vast business is efficiently and honestly administered
in all of its parts. We commend the record for competent and
useful service which these thousands of State servants are mak-
ing.

Since we met in convention two years ago, two great North
Carolinians — J. Melville Broughton and J. C. B. Ehringhaus —
have passed away. They served their State and Party well. They
will be sorely missed in our councils.

Fifty years ago, the people of North Carolina returned the
Democratic Party to power after a brief and unhappy interlude
of Republican control. By serving the people honestly and ca-
pably, the Democratic Party has grown in numbers and in the
confidence of the people. It is upon this half-century of accom-
plishment that the Democratic Party appeals once more for the
votes of confidence of the people of North Carolina.



142 North Carolina Manual

Yes — the Demociatic Party as the champion of progress has
given the people of North Carolina fifty years of increasing
service. In appreciation of this trust from the great majority
of the people of our State, we again renew our pledge of con-
tinued service to make living in North Carolina a privilege and
fortunate experience.



PLAN OF ORGANIZATION OF DEMOCRATIC
PARTY OF NORTH CAROLINA

State and District Committees

Section 1. The State Democratic Executive Committee shall
consist of nine men and nine women from each congressional dis-
trict in the State, who shall be elected at the preliminary meet-
ing's of delegates from the congressional districts, held on the
morning of the State Convention as provided in Section 29 here-
of; provided, however, that every county shall have at least one
member on the Committee.

Sec. 2. As early as is practicable after each state convention,
the Chairman shall call the State Democratic Executive Com-
mittee to meet for the purpose of electing a chairman and a vice
chairman, one of whom shall be a woman, and each of whom shall
serve for a term of two years, and until his or her successor
shall be elected.

Sec. 3. The Chairman of the State Democratic Executive Com-
mittee, as early as practicable after his election, shall appoint his
advisory or campaign committee, consisting of not less than five
nor more than twenty, and a secretary of the State Democi'atic
Executive Committee.

Sec. 4. The Congressional Democratic Executive Committee
for each congressional district in the State shall consist of two
members from each county in said district, who shall be elected
at the Preliminary meetings of delegates from the congressional
districts held on the morning of the State Convention as provided
by Section 29 hereof; provided, however, that in any congres-
sional district embracing less than five counties, the committee
shall consist of three members from each county in the district.

Sec. 5. The Judicial Democratic Executive Committee for each
judicial district in the State shall consist of two members from
each county in said district, who shall be elected at the prelim-
inary meetings of delegates from the congressional districts held
on the morning of the State Convention as provided by Section
29 hereof; provided, however that in any judicial district embrac-
ing less than five counties, the committee shall consist of three
members from each county in the district.

143



144



State Congrej




nal Districts



145




146 North Carolina Manual

Sec. 5-A. The Solicitorial Democratic Executive Committee
for each solicitorial district in the State shall consist of two
members from each county in said district, who shall be elected
at the preliminary meetings of delegates from the congressional
districts held on the morning of the State Convention as provided
by Section 29, hereof; provided, however that in any solicitorial
district embracing less than five counties, the committee shall
consist of three members from each county in the district.

Sec. 6. The State Senatorial Executive Committee for each
senatorial district in the State which comprises more than one
county shall consist of one member from each county in said dis-
trict, who shall be elected at the preliminary meetings of dele-
gates from the congressional districts held on the morning of the
State Convention as provided by Section 29 hereof. In districts
composed of only one county, the county democratic executive
committee of said county shall have jurisdiction as in the matter
of county candidates.

Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Chairman of the State Dem-
ocratic Executive Committee, as soon as practicable after the
State Convention, to designate one member as chairman and one
member as secretary of each of the executive committees provided
for in each of the foregoing four sections. The State Chairman
shall notify the members so selected of their appointment, and
in case any member shall fail or decline to accept such appoint-
ment, he shall appoint some other member in his stead.

Sec. 8. All democratic executive committees shall meet at such
times and places as the chairman of the respective committees
may appoint and designate in the call. If for any reason there
should occur a vacancy in the chairmanship of any executive
committee, or if such chairman should be incapacitated or should
fail or refuse to act, the secretary shall call a meeting of said
executive committee for the purpose of electing a successor to
the said chairman. If no meeting shall be called within five days
after such vacancy occurs, then any other officer of said executive
committee, or any three members thereof, may call a meeting to
fill said vacancy; provided, however, if such vacancy shall be
in a state senatorial executive committee, in that event, any mem-
ber thereof after said vacancy shall have existed for five days,
may call a meeting to fill such vacancy.



Plan of Organization 147

Sec. 9. The State Democratic Executive Committee shall have
the power to fill all vacancies occurring in said committee; va-
cancies occurring in congressional, judicial, and senatorial com-
mittees shall be filled by the executive committee of the county
in which such vacancies occur; precinct committees shall fill all
vacancies occurring in their respective committee.

Sec. 10. All officers of the State Executive Committee and the
National Committeeman and the National Committeewoman from
the State and the President of the Young Democratic Clubs of
the State shall be ex-officio members of the Committee with the
power to vote.

Sec. 11. All executive committees shall have the power to ap-
point subcommittees or special committees for such purposes and
with such powers, in their respective jurisdictions, as may be
deemed necessary or desirable.

Sec. 12. In each election year the Chairman of the State Dem-
ocratic Executive Committee shall convene said Committee in the
City of Raleigh on or before the 10th day of March, and at said
meeting the following business shall be transacted :

(a) The time and place of holding the State Convention shall
be determined and duly published.

(b) A common day shall be fixed, on which all precinct meet-
ings shall be held for the election of delegates to the county con-
ventions.

(c) A common day shall be fixed for the holding of a county
convention in each county in the State for the purpose of elect-
ing delegates to the State Convention.

Sec. 13. Immediately after the adjournment of the aforesaid
meeting of the State Democratic Executive Committee, it shall
be the duty of the chairman to publish the proceedings of the
same, and it shall be the duty of the secretary of the committee
to notify, in writing, the several chairmen of the county, demo-
cratic executive committees in the State of the respective dates
so fixed for the holding of precinct meetings and county conven-
tions. Directly after receipt of such notice, it shall be the duty
of each chairman of a county democratic executive committee in
the State to fix the hour and places for holding the precinct
meetings in his county, the hour and place for holding the meet-
ing of the county democratic executive committee required by



148 North Carolina Manual

the provisions of Section 20 to be held on the day of the county
convention; and thereupon the said chairman shall issue a call
for the precinct meetings, the county convention, and the meet-
ing of the county democratic executive committee. The call shall
be in writing and, at least ten days before the day set for the
precinct meetings, it shall be posted at the courthouse door of
the county and copies thereof shall be sent to the chairmen of
all precinct committees in the county; a copy of the call also
shall be sent as a news item to each newspaper published in the
county.

County and Precinct Organization

Sec. 14. The unit of county organization shall be the voting-
precinct. In each precinct there shall be an executive committee
consisting of five active Democrats, at least two of whom shall
be women, who shall be elected by the Democratic voters at the
precinct meeting called by the chairman of the county democratic
executive committee as provided in this plan of organization.
The precinct committee so elected shall elect from its member-
ship a chairman and a vice chairman, one of whom shall be
a woman.

Sec. 15. The precinct meetings shall be presided over by the
chairman of the precinct committee, but in his absence, the vice
chairman of the committee shall preside, and in the absence of
both the chairman and the vice chairman, any member of the
committee may preside.

Sec. 16. At the said precinct meeting, the Democratic voters
in attendance shall elect delegates and alternates to represent
the precinct in the county convention; and said delegates or
alternates, or such of them as shall attend the county convention,
shall be entitled to vote the full democratic strength of their