Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-29

to go into our sister States, TO obtain infur-
nation on the subject. His report. now in
The Secretary OF States office, is repete with
useful lacts and judicious SUGGESTIONS
Compared with ;he preceding, the disaster
at the State prison was trivial-no lives lost
no escape-and but temporary deranye-
ment IN lis usual good order and industrIa
pursuits. The actual value of property
destroyed did not probably exceed 5000.
The rebuilding with such Improvements, as
were before needed, and as the best interests
OF the establishment demand, will probably
require $4,000. Two thousand OF this has
already been advanced from The contingent
illnd of the Governor and Council, leaving
$1,000 TO be appointed for buildimg-in
addition 10 which $4,000. will be needed 10
complete the wall around the grounds, com
menced under an appropriation of Tie last
year-and for other ordinary expenses
making in all nine thousand dollars now
wanted for this institution. Plans and esli-
mates for the reconstruction and improye-
menls have been procured and adopted by
the Executive; and the Warden has been
advised 10 proceed with the work. 1t awaits
then only your pleasure to provide the
means. by an act of the last legislature
the supervisory power aud management OF
the State Prison was vested in the Governor
and Council, and It was by the same act
made The duty Of the Governor to appoint u
COMMITTEE OF The Council TO visit the prison
al least once in four months.
The provisions of this act have been carri-
ed into effect; and it is believed that the
discipline as well as the industrial and finan.
c'al Interests of the prison have been
improved by the measure.
Another very important benefit, growing
out OF the Change IN the administration OF
The PRISON, is the opportunity given to the
COMMITTEE and Council on pardons, who
should be the visiting committee to the
prison J to acquire personal knowledge OF
individual cases calling for the exercise OF
the highly responsible power of pardoning,
which is by our constitution vested IN the
Executive. 1t would seem to have been the
ntention OF the trainers of the act to super
cede the Inspectors Of the State Prison,
under the old regime. The duties of the
committee of the Council and of The Inspec.
tors OF the Prison, both of which are now i'm
existence are coincldenl, and may be confilc-
ting.
would therefore, respectfully suggest tha,
the two are unnecessary, and should you
approve the obvious intentions of the act,
that you abolish the Board of inspectors.
Immediate and efficient action is required
both in relation to the Insane IIospItal and
the State Prison.
Hon. Hugh J. Anderson, Hon. John w
Dana, and Henry Carter, Esq, have been
appointed Commissioners under resolve of
the last legislature, to provide for the estab.
lishment, and erection OF a State Reform
School. These gentleman have faithfully
and ably performed the duties, thus far i'm.
posed upon them. A site has been by them
selected, and by the munltcence Of the cit,
OF Portland presented 10 the State. Plans
and estimates have been presented to the
Governor and Council, and by them full,
approved, and the Commissioners have been
advised TO enter into contracts for the erection
OF the necessary building. Their report vii
furnish you with all further requisite infor.
nation upon the subject.
The reports of the Board of Education, and
OF their Secretary are worthy OF your most
CAREFUL consideration. | would especially
urge upon you the importa nee Of the sugges-
uons IN the report OF the board concerning
the education OF The Indians and the appoint
menI OF general agency, of visilantion aud
encouragement TO the schools through the
State.
The Secretary's report is deserving Il place
in every school, and every private library
throughout The State. His remarks upon
ventilation should he brought home to the
bosom OF every parent-the recommend ndat ions
should he adopted IN every private and pub.
nc dwelling. Both these reports show that
our efforts 10 improve The free school system
have not been in van-that The beneticienl
results oil this long cherished establishment
are becoming daily more widely ditiused
and deeply felt. The Gori,am Academy has
accepted the charter for the Maine Female
Seminary, il has realized about nine thou
sand dollars from the grant Of lands made by
the last legislature, and the Trustees are
laying such II foundation for the instruction
OF our daughters as the credit and the high.
es' welfare of the State require.
The Adjuiant General presents you with a
very clear and comprehensive view OF his de.
parlment. His suggestions and recommen.
dation are sound and every way worthy OF
consideration. The duties of the office are
now greatly increasing IN importance and in
Tue amount OF labor required. | would
therefore respectfully submit, If his salary
affords an adequate compensation.
The important duty of districting The State
for Representatives to Congress and for Sem
ators and Representatives to our own
Legislature will devote upon you. Though
work of the highest import to The rerserva-
ton Of our government in the purify of its
principles, il is not one which need occupy
much time, or impose great labor, if directed
by such rules as | am sure will commend
themselves 10 your appreciation. To give to
every man his numerical influence, and TO
arrange districts SO as 10 give 10 equal num-
bers equal weight in our public affairs,
having due regard to established lines and
corporate associations, and to facilities for
communications, should be the controlling
principle, regardless Of personal or party ag-
grandIZement.
And now, gentleman, while we are bound
by every consideration Of religion, of moraIi-
~. and patrIOtism. TO advocate and TO advance
those principles, upon which we honestly
believe the welfare of the republic rests, let
us resort TO no measures, which high sense
Of right and of honor would forbid.
JOHN HUBBARD.
COUNCIL CHAMBER,
AUGUSTA, May l9, 1851.