Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1839-01-10
Maine Legislature.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

Gentlemen q The 'Stnutp,
and House Of Rcprscntaiir.
For the highly favorable circumstances
under which we enter upon the discharge
Of the respective duties assigned us by the
people Of this State there is due from us TO
the GIvER OF ALL GOOD the expression OF
profound sense of gratitude. The voice Of
health is heard within our borters--the
reign of peace is still uudistur hed--sub-
mis>io 10 the laws is generally and cheer
fully vielded--contideHc in the form and
principles of our government remains ut
shaken-labor is permitted to en- Joy the
bread it has earned-,he earth has yielded
an abundant harvest-and industry, in most
of its various branches, has been crowned
with n good degree of success,-and If
somewhat Of embarrassment has been ex-
perienced by portion of our citizens, in
relation to the monetary affairs of the coun-
try, we may rejoice in believing that it has
arisen from causes as temporary in their
nature and operat on as !hey were niust!-
fable in their origin. The day Of "panics"
and "pressures, :" with all its train of in
dvidual suffering and public inconvenience,
has gone by, aud from the want of success
in its authors, trust, not soon again to be
renewed. True virtue, intelligence and
patriotism are not to be subdued by any
amount of physical suffering Property is
perishable, while principle is eternal and
none better know, and appreciate the DIS
inction than those, who having their b,th
in land of freedom aud enjoying the ines
Unable rights Of sef-government, are deep
ly imbued with the true spirit of liberty and
independence. No attempt, | am well
persuaded, on the part of assoc lated wealth,
nor any power, political or otherwise, to
coerce the people of this country to yield
their assent TO measures which they believe
to be highly pernicious or destructive of
their dearest political rights and welfare,
can ever prove successful. Upon this
point our most sanguine hopes have been
abundantly confirmed by the history Of the
las, four years
From temporary depression, business
has, happily, revived and Is now pursued
by our citizens with that enterprize and
zeal so characteristic of them, and which
seldom fails to ensure corresponding sue
cess. And may we not entertain the hope
too, that the lessons of the past, fraught as
they have been with severe instruction, will
not be entirely UNDECIDED by those who are
starting anew upon the great theatre of
business and euterprize.
In attempting, for the first time, to dis
charge the duty imposed by the constlIu-
tion, of giving the Legislature information
OF the condition of the State, and recon-
1nenGnc to their consideration such meas
ures as may be judged expedicnt, so fall
and perfect Information probably viii not
be expected as would be required OF one
heretofore connected, in some way, with the
government of the State.
For the condition of the finances refer
Won to the report Of the Treasurer. You
will undoubtedly take early measures to
provide for the demands upon the govern
ment, including the amount to be paid for
beunties upon the production of wheat and
corn, as we'll as to provide for the expenses
of the government, the current year. A
loan, think, can be effected upon easy
terms and, considering the amount 10 be
raised, a resort to taxation at this time for
the whole, probably will not be thought
OF.
Under Resolve of the 23d Of March
last, the Geological Survey OF the State has
beer continued, under the direction of the
distinguished gentleman heretofore having
charge that service. The duty imposed
upon the Governor and Council of LAYING
before the Legislature "a detailed account
of tho progress Of the survey, together with
the expenditures in prosecuting the same, "
will be performed as soon as practicable.
When the great benefits which may result
from the survey, at SO comparatively IA
triiflng an expense, are considered, | con-
not forbear to recommend its further con-
tnuance.
An appropriation will be needed to COM
plete the Insane Hospital, and render it fit
for the reception of those unfortunate per-
sons for whose benefit it was designed. |
trust that so noble an undertaking. so
creditabe to the munifcence Of individuals
and the State, will not be permitted to Ian
guish, especially, in stage of lis progress
so near completion.
The "Poor Debtor Law" as it is called,
seems not, in all cases to have answered
the benign object of its authors. An am
bignous phraseoogy has led 10 a variety of
construction and practice. defeating its de-
sign, and involving consequences of no in
considerable importance. 1t is neither in
accordance with the spirit Of The age, nor
with the dictates Of an heightened phila1-
thropy, that man should have the power of
incarcerating his brother il. dungeon, like
felon, Tor mere inability to perform civil