Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-01-15

Your early attention is invited to the
affairs Of the Prison at Thomaston. Its
crowded condition renders some altera.
tion. or extension in its internal arrange
: ment necessary to accommodate the pres
8 ent inmates, not to anticipate further
commitments. The main prison has ono
hundred and eight cells. There are nov
one hundred ard thirteen i-mates. .
portion Of whom occupy apartments de-
signed and required for ths sick. Some
alteratio "a Of tho work shops is required
also. 10 cable the Warden to employ
the Rsn to advantage. 70 me.t thsss
necessities. an aPpropriation Will be -.
tquired.
The reports from the Trustees and
superintendents of the Insane Asylum.
and Reform School. will inform you a.
to their condition. management, and ne.
cessties. They exist upon the bouaties
of the Sta e, and make constant appeals
to its enlightened liberality for support.
Too high an estimate cannot be placed
upon our charitable aud reformatory in.
stitutions. commend them to the o..
pccial care of the Legislature.
The State has still unsettled claims upon
the general government, for balance OF inter-
est upon advances made on the protection Of
the North Eastern territory; for expenses Of
Commissioner to ascertain the rights Of set
tiers in the late disputed territory entitled to
indemnity under the treaty of Washington
for value of land set of to settlers under that
treaty. You may learn the nature and extent
Of these claims from the report of the Agent,
at Washington, engaged in presenting tho
same, which will be laid before you. Any
special action on this subject is referred /,
your judgment.
The constitution Of the United States con-
templates on organized, armed and disci-
plined militia, in the several States, TO bo of.
ficered and trained by their authority 40
cording to the discipline prescribed BY CON.
gress.
The State constitution declares tha. "no
person of the age of eighteen and under thu
age OF forty-hve, excepting quakers and sha-
kers, justices Of the Supreme Judicial Court,
ministers Of the gospel and officers of the mi
litia, who have been honoraby discharged,
shall be exempt from the performance of mil
itary duty, unless he shall pay an equivalent
to be fixed by law. -
The duty Of providing for ga we'll regulate
ed militia is imposed upon the State By the
constitution and laws Of the United States
recognizing this obligation the State consti-
tuition enacts military service, or an equiva.
lent, ola certain description Of its citizens
1t does not seem to be contemplated that
the whole class of persons upon whom mill
tary service is thus imposed, WILL in time Of
peace, be required to perform active duty, but
may be exempt therefrom by payment Of an
equivalent. Such are the habits of our people
and the position of the State, that small
force only seems required 10 be organized for
active duty The militia should rest upon
the constitutional basi, and not depend upon
the bounty Of the State
That description of persons upon whom
military service is imposed by the constitu-
ton, would cheerfully pay such slight equiv
alent, to be exempted from active duty, a.
the Legislature should deem necessary to de-
fray the expenses of such volunteer soldiery
as would be required for active SERVICE
With this view | recommend that all persons
contemplated by the constitution as subjects
of military service be enrolled in the manner
now provided for by law, but subjected tono
active duty; and that the uniformed militia
now authorized for active duty be reduced TO
at least three thousand men, with suitable
provisions tor rations while on duty.
The frequent complaints of the system Of
attachments on mcsne process, and the scnti.
ment more or less prevalent for some provis-
ion for the equitable distribution Of estates Of
insovent debtors, would seem to call for so,ns
consideration of the subject by the Leeisla-
ture. The matter is submitted to your judg-
ment.
For statement of the financial condition
OF the State, you are referred to the Report Of
the Treasurer. 1t is not understood to be at
all aattering An approximate estimate Of
expenditures and receipts for the current
years. will show the annual income of tho
State to be insufficient to meet its current ex-
pcnditures. and will leave deficit Mt the end
of the year of some sixty thousand dollars
An increase Of State tax upon tho prcssut
valuation would not seem to be desirable or
equitable. How then shall the Treasury b.
relieved? 1t may be found practicable in one
or two ways, or in both, namely, by transfer
ring portion of the demands upon it to 9th
er quarters, or by reducing the expenditures
The costs OF criminal prosecutions are an On.
nual drain upon the Treasury Of between
S35 900 and $40 900, and it may be worthy
of consideration whether these cx penses might
not, with propriety and economy, be deffay.
cd by the several counties in which they orig
mated, both as present relief and pcrIna-
nent requirement. With a view TO further
relief commend to your close examination
the items of anticipated disbursements and tho
enforcement of a rigid economy in every do
parDacnt of expenditure, suggesting especial
ly that the item of legislative expensx nav
and ought to be greatly diminished, and here.
in, may your session have the special merit Of
being an industrious and short one and thus
alleviate the public burdens t.W
The naople of the State v;evr ,.;tL Io... -