Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-01-27

true, resolve itself into committee of the
whole on the state of the Union,' it may dis
cuss the expediency Of the annexation of Cuba
or the Canadas, it may moralize upon the SUBJ
ject Of slavery, or phiosophize on the right and
duty of national Intervention, and by so doing
convert itself into safety valve for the escane
Of large amount of pent up eloquence, NOR
bid philanthropy and wordy patriotism, but il
thereby subjects itself TO the imputation Of
squandering time and money which belong to
the people. The results to which it arrives
are, at best, but the expression of the opinion
entertained by majority of the individuals
who compose it, not Of the people at large
Common sense, as well as the common law,
recognizes the correctness of the we'll estab-
llshed maxim, that the principal is not bon nd
by the act of his agent when he exceeds his
authority. You are, however, vour own mas
ters-accountable only to the people-and it is
not for the Executive to undertake the exercise
of any control over your deliberations. 1t will,
however, be to me a source Of satisfaction TO
feel, when the labors Of the present session are
concluded, that the only Legislative body | ev-
er addressed, or ever expect to address, was
marked by its fidelity TO the trust committed
10 it-by The devotion of its time and talents 10
the objects for which it was convened, and
was, emphaticaily, a ioorking rather than a
talking Legislature.
The complaint has been for some time prev
aent in different parts of the State, that the pc
cunary burdens imposed upon the people by
| proceedings before the Courts of County Com
mlsslOners, have become unnecessarily onerous.
10 what extent the complaint is well founded,
| you, from your own personal observation, are
competent 10 decide. If there is any cause for
the complaint, it is not TO be found in the
amount of compensation allowed TO those Off
GERS for their services, but to the abuse of the
privileges afforded by the laws creating and de-
fning the jurisdiction Of the tribunal. | enter
tain the opinion that the principal cause for
complaint may be removed by imposing re-
strictiOns upon the almost unlimited right to
apply to the court fos the location and discon-
tinuance Of highways, divesting the Conrt of
some Of the discretionary authority which it
now possesses, imposing fnrther liabilities upon
petitioners as preliminary requisite TO a hear
ing, and making the enforcement of those liza
bilties the peremptory duty of the prosecuting
officer for the State in the several counties-
The tendency of such enactments as conlem-
plate, would inevitably be to diminish the
number of frivolous and groundless appica-
tiohs, relieve the community at large from
the expenses attending them.
A transfer of the duties and jurisdiction Of
this Court to the Supreme Court, and return
10 the old system under which the laying out
and discontinuance of highways were referred
TO Committee appointed by the Court, with
appropriate restrictions as to cost, have been
proposed. The expediency of such change
must depend upon the result to which an ex-
animation of the comparative expense Of the old
system and the new may lead you. Ii the ef-
feet will be, as IL is contended, large
trenchmeni IN county expenses, am not aware
of any valid objection TO the change. The in
vestigation Of the matter may suggest to your
minds other modes for the attainment of the
object have in view i'll calling your attention
to the subject.
The development of the natural resources Of
State may well engage the attention and ell
list the earnest effort of all its citizens in every
condition and calling, but should be peculiarly
the object of your care. The increasing neces-
sty for greater effort in this direction, on the
part oflhe people and their representatives, is
daily becoming more apparent. The recent
discovery ct the immense mineral wealth Of
California has aroused and quickened the spirit
OF adventure in the young and enterprisng por
ton OF our population, and yielding TO the i'm
pulse, they are going out from among us by
hundreds and th5usacds. The process contin-
ued would soon exhaust the vigor of the body
polite. Fortunately, however, the spirit Of
adventure has not become one with the spirit
of emigration. California itself offers but few
Inducements as permanent residence to the
New England emigrant, but points the way to
mlder climate, and fields laden with richer
harvest than he left at home and thither will
his inclination and interest lead him. This is
the evil agalnt which we have TO contend, and
| for which we should endeavor TO provide a
remedy We can find none elfeciual, but by
making it for the interest of the returning ad-
venturer 10 remain at home with us. We
must open for him here, new fields for enter
prise. We must present to him the favorable
opportunity Of securing for himself here, by the
aid OF his own energies, the independent COM
petence which ne would seek elsewhere-the
encouragement, which always operates as
stimulus TO labor, Of an adequate comPensa-
tion.
In what mode can the State, in its sovereign
capacity, contribute to the accomplishment of
this object! | answer, by developing its nat
ural resources; by making apparent 10 the
minds of the people the fact, which is not yet
thoroughly appreciated, that it has upon and
beneath its surface rich sources Of wealth by
a
invite and induce the investment of capital in
the various departments Of manual and me-
chanlcal labor, with the pledged faith of the
State that rights acquired under that policy
shall be respected and protected; by enlarging
its bounty on successful industry in agriculture
and the various branches of labor connected
with 1t /; by opening thoroughfares through its
public lands, thereby making their wealth ac-
cessible; by relieving the hardy pioneer who
forces his way into the yet unbrOken forests,
from portion of the burthen which he is COM
PEELED TO bear equally with his more highly
favored fellow-citizens, and for which he re-
ceives, as compared with them, but an inade-
quate return; by rendering its lands to those
who will enter'upon and occupy and improve
them. at such prices and upon such terms as
will place them within the reach of all her peo-
pe lhe acquisition in that mode Of one in
telligent, industrious citizen is worth more to
the State than the richest hundred acre lot Of
wild land in all her wide domain
These few suggestions may serve to induce
reflection, and call your attention TO subject
which regard of paramount importance to the
welfare of the State, and which commend 10
your careful consideration.
| In this connection, allow me to recommend
10 yOu the appropriation Of a sum Of money
sufficient to complete the Geological Survey Of
| The State, which was commenced some years
since, and, unfortunately for the pecuniary in
terests of the State, prematurely suspended
Although the exterior indications do not au-
thorize the belief that deposits Of gold or silver
are buried beneath the surface of our soil, they
are snch as 10 satisfy the minds Of scientific