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

~ uo "oIlu-nlS memory TO the coming cen
turies. rtl
With the past yearV which records the ter
mlnatlon OF the earthly existence Of many o.
the most highly gifted among men, terminated
the 0rlef political existence of sister Republic
IN another hemisphere. The Empire sits en-
tnroned upon the grave of the Republic and
the last hope for republican France is perished
The event, which is calculated to excite
mingled emotion Of Joy and regret, shoulC
arouse us TO renewed vigilance in the prescrva
ton of our own liberties. 1t should awaken iF
our hearts emotions of gratitude that we as 3
nation have passed safely through the fiery tri-
ais TO which we have been from time to time
[ subJected-and the disturbing elements which
menaced the integrity of the Union have been
removed. II should warn US to guard with a
jealous care against any and every assumption
OF political power, to resist the slightest at
tempt at encrOachment upon the rights reserved
TO the States and guaranteed 10 the people by
the COnstitution-and at the same time ap-
peals TO us 10 abide by our faith, and thus, il
the spirit of mutual forbearance and concilia-
tion, 10 strengthen the bands which unite these
independent sovereignties in one harmonious
confederacy.
The time which has elapsed since | was
called TO the official position now occupy has
been too brief TO admit of any personal exami-
nation of the condition of the Treasury, and
must therefore refer you for all such informa-
tion as yon may desire upon the subject TO the
Annual Report from that Department. The
same remark will apply to the annual reports
from the other Departments of State, all OF
which will be laid before you.
| Although from perusal of that report il is
very apparent that the available resources OF
the State are amply adequate to meet its res
possibilities, 1t is still none the less incumbent
upon those who are primarily entrusted with
the appropriation of its funds, to practice all
the economy which the interests of the people
demand, and which is in harmony with our
form of government. A government splendid
| only in the magni6cence, is not such a one as
the founders of this Union and the several
States composing it contemplated. To their
| apprehension, it should be TO ours, the true
| grandeur of State consists in the worth, in
telligence and patriotism of the people, and in
the stern devotion TO duty and incOrruptbe in
| tegrlty OF their rulers. | am aware that the
Executive recommendation of economy in the
administration of the affairs Of the State has
become somewhat stale, although, hope, not
altogether Improbable. Ii it has failed of
producing the desired effect, the failure is not
attributable, IN my judgment, 10 any want of
recognition of the existence of the obligation
or the sOnndness of the proposition | invite
you TO scrutlnlZlng examination Of the State
expenditures and retrenchment whenever it can
be judiciously made; yet would not have your
economy degenerate 10 parsimony. The COM
pensatlon paid by the people TO their servants
should besuch as will command the services
nl fhD
object which is deserving the bounty of this
state, should receive it in such measure as will
not merely sustain vitality, but furnish it with
the means of vigorous growth.
The expense attending the annual sessions
of the Legislature has been for some time the
subject of remark and complaint. Upon this
topic | believe there is, on the part of the peO-
pie, an increasing sensit7eDess. The argu-
ment that the advancing prosperity of the
State, the multiplied enterprises Of lis people,
and the wants Of its rapidly increasing pupula-
lion, create the necessity for longer sessions
and greater amount of legislation, has failed
TO give entire satisfaction 10 the public mind
Comparisons instituted between the legislative
sessions in our own and other States far ex-
ceeding ours in population, wealth and enter
prise, have strengthened the conviction that far
less time than is now consumed in transactng
the business before the Legislature would be
sufficient for all the legislative wants Of the
people. There is a growing disposition TO
remedy the evil of long sessions, by an amend
ment of the Constitution. Legislators, it is
said, manifest no disposition 10 apply the rem
edy which they certainly have ia their power,
and the people must take the matter into their
own hands. There is good cause for the COM
plaint, and good reason for resort to the ulti-
mate tribunal, if il be fact that Legislators
are remiss in the performance of the duties
they owe 10 their constituents. But it may
be somewhat questionable whether they are
50 remsS, and whether the fault is not in a
very great degree attributable 10 the propensi-
ty for law making on the part of the people
themselves. Were the time and attention of
the Legislature occupied only in the considera-
llOn of really important matters,-were they
but relieved from an examination of the multi
farious projects which are annually brought be-
fore them,-ma2y of them chimericaI, still
more Of them the offspring of prolific brains,
which are pe.petually seeking out evils, which
to their apprehension can be remedied only by
the panacea of Legislation, their sessions would
be comparatively short. Your action may
contribute largely towards satisfying the peo-
pie that sessions Of the Legislature are not pro-
lracted for the qualification of its members, and
the necessity for resort 10 an amendment of the
Constitution does not exist.
The world is governed too much In
other words, the people are legislated far too
much. The laws requisite for the good gov.
ernment Of The people, TO be thoroughly un-
derstood and obeyed, should be few and SIM
pie. know Of no greater obstacle to the
ad m nj Gfr Of rho n
change and revision of staIuary enacIments.
That they are the prolific source Of litigation,
which regard as one of the greatest evils
incident 10 civilized society, The proceedings
in our halls Of justice furnish abundant tes.
timony. personal experience and obser-
vaton for quarter OF century have so for
chilly impressed this conviction upon my
mind, that teel il 10 be my duty to urge
upon your consideration the benefits which
cannon fail TO result from forbearance to
enact more laws, or laws materially chang
ing those now upon the statute book, unless
imperiousIy demanded by the necessities OF
the people.
The requirements made upon the time and
attention of the Legislature by applications
Tor that which is usually denominated spec
lal legislation, have TO some considerable ex-
teat tended to prolong their sessions. The
r,ght OF petition is guaranteed 10 the 2eo-
PIE ny tue Constitution. The evil alluded
10 results, not from The exercise Of that
r'gn', ont from the mode in which il is ex.
ercised. Successive Legislatures have at.
tempted to apply a remedy by the MASSAGE
Of rules limiting The time within which az.
plications OF this character should he raco;vad
But the as often repeated suspension Of these