Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1842-01-13

in any State in the Onlon,has heNeflneieS',Pi,
ed insuficientto prevent the failure oil so'e odnN
and the embarrassment of others That insol-
vency and embarrassment have not been more
frequent, and the consequent loss and INJURY 10
the public as well to stockholders, more severe
is probably attributable in great measure to lne
provisions of law relating to the amount OF CIT
culation-extent of Indebtedness OF directors
liability of stockholders Tor debts oil corporalioh
official returns under oath-and periodical IN
spec.ion nv Commissioners. Provisions that, as
far as thew 40 have thus worked benehcally, IL
is presumed will not be readily relaxed, or aban-
doned. On the contrary, we SHOULD inquire
whether they may not with proprlety ana auVah-
tape be made still further restrictive. mat the
safety of the public might also be further secureu
by requiring a wider specie basis Tor the circu-
lation and extending to the institutions the pro
visions of,he bankrupt law, will hardly admit OF
n question The latter to be sure, is beyond your
CONTROL but it is to be hoped, that 1t VIII not De
unnotced by Congress in the revision OF this sub
ject which is anticipated
! would also add, that my opinions heretofore
communicated to the Legislature upon the sub
ject of the currency, remain unchanged mat IL
would be improved by infusng into the clrcula-
ton a greater portion of the precious metals ana
that this NAV be accomplished by prohibiting the
circulation of bank bills of small denomination
| | do not entertain doubt. The only question is
one of time. Whit period would be most propl-
! tlOnS Tor such DrCnlDlllon, Is nldllci ipt wv
consideration Of tie Legislature, who will, before
adopting any important changes, look to the state
of public sentiment, and fairly estimate the prob
abilities that new enaetnlents would be rlgdy
enforced, or permitted TO remain dead letter up
on the statute book. 49,
For information as 10 the particular condition
of the Hospital for the Insane, | must refer you
TO tho reports of the Board of directors and SUI
perintendent. The results thus far, of the oper-
alton of this Institution, il Is believed, 90 to shed
lustre upon the benevolent design which orIgnat-
| ed it, and to convince all that no expenditure, OF
an equal amount could have been made, ensurIng
larger returns in the amoaat o. human misery re-
lieved and happiness promoted
| must also refer you 70 be reports OF the w ar
den and Inspectors for information in regard to
the condition and affairs of the State Prison.
| b Y the Constitution, the duty Is imposed upon
you of making a new apportonment OF Inc House
of Representatives, at the present session-and
as there seems to be no doubt that the numberhas
been changed by the voice of the people, on the
question lately submitted to them, the new APP
portonment will Of course conform to the reduced
basis That this duty will be performed under the
influence of lust and elevated views, and in
manner that can stand the seyerest scrutiny, l
have no doubt No outrage upon principle OF fair
and equal representation can ever command APP
prevail of an intelligent people,
1t is TO be expected that new apportonment
of Representatives to Congress, under the late
census, will be made by Congress at the present
session. Should this be done seasonably, OF
which we cannot but be strongly DESTROYS, dis
tricting anew for this State, some other action
will become necessary on your part
The new militia law, which went into operation
on the first OF the present month, involves sever
al important changes in the system. That defects
still exist is quite probahle-and that some persons
complain loudly of this, they did of the late
law, and aIe again .contemp lating changes, an
aware. But while admitting that gross and OBJ
vious defects should be remedied,l think it is dut
to the Importance of the subject, that difficulty
deyising satisfactory plan where such a contra
rely OF rx'st a@g the the great plans . ..
we should give it, IN its main features, fair trial
An efficient militia, always important has become
, doubly so by the aspect of the times. But it car
have no efficiency while in state of constan
transition Justly regarded the right arm o
our defence the united and cheerful eiiort of al
good citizens should be to strengthen and not tC
weaken it.
The report of the Land Agent will show tho
condition Of that department. The public lands
will long continue to be regarded with deep in
terest, and will require the constant and vlgllan
supervision of the Legislature. While the lands
and properly enough are disposed OF, more with
view to their earl Nsettlement by an enterprIsing
industrious and worthy population, which constl
tutcs the true wealth OF the State, than 10 any
immediate pecunary advantage we may ant
ought, TO make the vast forests OF timber which
cover them, tributary to the wants OF the treasury
system by which the law Of demand and sup
ply shall be properly regarded, and the timber say
ed from devastation and waste-by which, the in
diligence of favoritism on the one hand and the
success of powerful combinations to monopolize
on the other, shall be prevented-which shall en-
sure to the State the fair value of the timber, ant
afford so all the citizens equal opportunity tt
participate in HE profits Of purchase, is what Il
needed. Complaints made OF the course here
tofore pursued and deem it proper respectful
to call your attention to the subject, not doubling
that all will be done by you that justice TO the
State and convenience of the settler and othel
citizens require.
Under government like ours, having its founda
ton solely in the popular will, and tho agents fo
administering it being designated for that purpose
by popular sutiiage, it would be but a trte remark
10 say that the people should be intelligent and vir
tuous, But iii be important that popular suffrage
shcud be guided by intelligence and virtue, is il
not Of equal importance hat the modes provided fol
its exercise should not Only be wisely adapted to the
purpose, but be sacredy guarded from every cor.
rupiing or perverting influence? Tito the ballot box
we look az one of the chief instruments for the
maintenance of freedom and the preservation Of
rights, how constantly and Sc 1ulously should we
watch over and defend it If a sinister blow wa,
to be struck at free institutions, where could il
DC more efiectuaIly given Once bring discred up
on the ballot box destroy confidence 10 il, deepen
the suspicion that its results founded in intrigue
bribery corruption and faIsehood and indicative
Of any thing rather than the free unbiased unpur
chased suliiages of The people, and you strike
deadly blow at our free system of government, ant
do much to extnguish the glorious light which iEt
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