Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-01-11
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
'e'''eme'' q he Senate aud qt tie House Of Rep


In entering upon the important duties assisne
ms by the people of this Commonwealth may "
humhly ask wisdom of Him, who is the source
all light and knowledge, that we NAV be enable
to discharge those duties in way best to promer
the happiness and prosperity of our constituent
and that when we shall have closed the labors I
the session. We may in returning 10 our homc
carry with us an abidiEg assurance that we hay
been faithful to the performance of all delegate
trusts, and laborcd assiluously for the publ
good.
Representing, as we do, a people habitually an
necessarily industrious aud economical they hay
right to expect close application TO the bus
hess they may come before us, and that no IN
Necessary delay will prolong the present session
There is a deep conviction in the public MN,
that we have too much legislation, and that n.ucl
money and time are thrown away enactlng law.
of doubtful utility, which are amended or rrpea'o
by the next succeeding Legislature therens GU
cumbering our statute books with mass VI a''
necessary If not useless lcsisiailoi'. ""u u 100,
il very difficult for any but an experienced lawyer
10 understand what the law is, in cases where II
shonld be so plain and simple that the humblest
r;,zcn need not err in relation TO It's provlSionS.-
An will acknowledge the correctness of this SEN
timcnt; it is with legislators to correct the evil
Another cause of protracted sessions and expense
is undoubtedly found in the too ardent attachment
winch nlCtnutIS iOi pOitAiNHR
ties often showing greater Willingness to extend
TO an unreasonable length, the proper time for or
ganzation and legislation, than TO yield the
slightest advantage to a political opponent. Such
in an extraordinary degree is the history of the
Legislature Of last year, and in a most decided
manner have the people pronounced Judgment a.
gainst such a waste of time and abuse of trust.
The present is time suspicious for improve
ment and reform. The pcorle, diSrcgardinG Old
political organizations, have seen fit 10 elect OF
the members of the present Legislature, a greater
number who think alike on the great questions
which must deeply interest our State and nation,
than has usually constituted a Legislative majori-
ty, and it is reasonable anticipate such harmo-
NOUS action, and devotedness TO the legitimate
business for which We are assembled, as will in
sure a prudent and economical session, and an
early recess.
In giving YOU information Of the condition Of
the State as enioiued by the constitutional re-
gret to be unable 10 present some of her great in
forests in so prosperous light it would be de-
sirahle TO do.
The early spring of the past season opened with
unusual promise TO the husbandman, but pre-
mature and almost unprecedented drouth blasted
the prospect of an abundant harvest, and caused
the products of the farm generally 10 be light
The same cause has operated injurously upon the
numbering interests of the State. preventing an
immense amout of lumber from going 10 market
where ready sale and high prices awaited it.
The shipping interest, in which our people are Sc
largely engaged has received a severe check by
the sudden fall and depression of tonnage and
freights. These, casualties have operated severe
" upon persons engaged in these important pur
suits and necessarily involved scarcity of money
which has been felt by all branches of industry
throughout the State; still l am happy to believe
that the resources of the business community arc
such that these difficulties, which have been unex
pcctedy encountered will cause only temporary
embarrassment and will wholly disappear with The
opening Of the approaching season. Notwith
standing these serious misfortunes to which
have alluded, our State is enjoying goodly meas
ure of prosperity.
The facilities afforded by our Railways are be
inr felt, giving hfe and energy TO business, open
Ing new avenues of trade, bringing interior por
tons of the State into proximity with the coast
giving value TO properly and location which had
been yalueless for want of proper channc
through which to reach market Maine has a
bout 400 miles of Railway in successful opera
ton, with a constantly increasing business, which
must at an early day. make them good paying
roads Every interes: ofthe State is favorably af
fected by these great improvements, and we can
not easily over estimate the benefit and substan
tial wealth t.ev are destined to afford the commu
nifty.
For want of opportunity to examine thu
reports from the Treasury and other departments
/ must refer you TO these reports, which Will bt
laid before you, for the information you will de
sire.
As the resources of our State are being develop
ed, calling forth and employing mechanical skill
in the various departments OF trade, II Is highly
important that deeper interest should be felt fol
the advancement of agriculture. Maine, with {
soil sufficiently rich and fertile under proper
husbandrv to produce the necessary or staple art
clcs of consumption, for her population, in anv-a
bundance, should not pay such large sums OF
money 10 other States for corn, -four, pork and
other products as she is paying from year to year
There should be no necessity for this outlay. We
should produce our own supply of these important
articles of food, beside many Others for which We
90 abroad The lumbermcn, whose extensive op
crations arc rapidly hurrymg our vast forest tim
Der into market draw their supplies very largely
from other States. The men who fill our ship
wards to an extent that makes Maine the first
State in the Union in point of ship building, are
not supplied with the products of our oen soil
their tables are furnished not by our farmers. 81
with all branches Of manufactures, and extensive
Railway improvements carried on in this State
the operators and laborcrs, 10 very great extent
are fed on foreign PRODUCTS
The very large amount of money thus sent on
of the State, should be distributed among on
farming community-unt this is done the agri
cultural interests of the State will flourish bu
poorlv. Unless that interest becomes prosperous
although our State be rich in resources, and man
ufactures and commerce increase, the masses o
the people will be poor and dependent. The cite:
and towns NAV grow in wealth, but the rural dis
trics will lack those elements of affluence and in
dependence which should ever distinguish thu
yeomanrv of Republic. All branches of indus
fry and classes of citizens direatly interested
in the prosperity of agricultural pursuits, ant
whatever can properly be done, permanently II
benefit that interest, shall be happy TO mite witt
You in doing.
For the purpose of awakening deeper interes
in farming, of connecting science with practca
economy introducing the most approved breed
of cattle and other domestic animals, procurin.
the choicest kinds Of grains, and valuable and rart
seeds. testing their qualities and adaptation TO ou
soil and climate, and bringing them TO the notic'
and within the reach of every farmer in the State
for these and other valuable purposes, it is beey
ed that an Experimental Farm, under the car,
md patronage of the State, would be of essentia
service. The OUTLAY would be but tri,ling com
pared with the amount of COOL that might reason
ably be anticipated by the movement, and the
people will cheerfuily sustain such an establish
ment if economically and properly conducted
The subject of agricultural chemistry is attract
fng much attention and there appeal to be a yer,
strong desire with our most intelligent agricultur
aists, to have the elements of agriculture laugh
in our common schools. and as a science constitute
a permanent feature in the educational system o
the State. The subject has been urged upon TN
Legislature by the Board of Agriculture for tn
LAST two wears but h;e not received that attento,
D.I..