The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-15

that they are exerting slutary influence.
"A State board OF agriculture has also been
organized under theact OF 1856. lb exis-
tence is too brief and ib field of operations
and observation to limited to determine what
may be the extent Of its future usefulness.
Much good may be anticipated from its
annual investigation Of subjects Of agricul-
ture, horticulture and kindred subjects, and
from the publication Of the results Of these
Investigations for the general information OF
the agriculturists of the State. Much useful
and important information may DO furnish
cd through the report OF the Secretary OF the
Board, whose duty il is TO publish detail
ell report "os the doings Of the board, to-
gether with digest OF the several agricul.
tural and horticultural societies, and ofsuch |
statistics as he may be able 10 collect, with |
such recommendations and suggestions as
the interests Of agriculture may require
This report will be laid before you.
Intimately connected with this subject, |
having the most important bearing upon the
growth and prosperity OF the state, Is the
settlement Of our territory with intelligent
and industrious citizens. The Aroostook
county. by far the most fertile Of our lands,
make slow and imperfect progress in settle
ment for want Of facilities for transportation
An Recommendation. Ifany method can
be devised by which an object 80 desirable
can be promoted. il would be for the highest
interest Of the State, at once, TO embrace il.
Ii has ever been regarded an object Of the
deepest solicitude, and the Legislature has
from time TO time appropriated means for
the construction of roads for this purpose.
These are necessarily imperfect, and com.
pared with modern modes of transportation
unsatisfactory.
invite your careful consideration Of this
whole subject, in spirit Of enlightened lib
erality, and cannot too urgently press il up
on your attention. :,
The constitution declares that "a general
diffusion OF the advantages vi education is
essential to the promotion of the rights and
liberties Of the people :" and il enjoins up
on the Legislature the duty of requiring
Of the several towns and cities suitable
provision for the support OF public schools
and also requires the endowment Of colleges
and academies. Herein is q recognition OF
tho maxim that republican government
must rest on the intelligence OF the people.
Education, Intellectual and moral culture
for all, was ordained rs the means for the
establishment and support Of civil and To-
ligious liberty. COeyal with our political
forms OF government, was the establishment
Of q system Of common schools. SeduOusly
provided for as the first care OF the State,
watched over with parental solicitude and
sustained by an unbounded munitcence, 1t
has come down to US. Ii lies ut the basis OF
the States deepest concerns, rs common TO
oil, and as the broad foundation OF all other
institutions Of learning and while IL may
claim your first attention, il should not be
forgotten that the genius OF our government
is equally the fostering parent OF the college
and the academy, into which, from the conn.,
mon school. those who are prompted by an
innate ambition to excel in the higher walks
Of education. may 20, and thers qualify
themselves for successful competition for the
highest prizes Of the State.
The times will not admit OF reduction in
the general standard Of intelligence among
the people. We are indebted ~ the intelli-
gencc. high culture and strong virtue of the
original settlers, for our institutions. To
maintain the splendid superstruc,ure Of
civil and religious liberty which has been
built upon the foundations laid by those
who originally came here with motives Of the
highest social, political and moral character,
against the sinister influences which have
succcc,led. as well as the general demorali-
zatiOn Of the nation, popular education
should be amply provided for, and a high
standard Of intelligence secured. NOtwith-
standing the severity Of the times and the
necessity Of tho practice VI u rigid economy
in pIblic and private expenditures, | deem
IL worthy your consideration whether the
interests of the common schools do not de-
mand the establishment Of u school for the
qualification of teachers. It is quite appar-
enl, from the legislation of the past few
years, that the people Of the State, IN the |
bSt0wal Of its bounties, have a partiality |
for these schools.
If this sentiment should continue, il will |
10 found necessary 10 provide for u supply |
Of teachers, which heretofore has bsen sent |
out from the academies. For information |
as To the ectual condition and wants of the |
system U. common schools, yDu are referred
to tn report of the Superintendent, which |
will bc laid before you.
Ofthc operation of tho Land Office, n dc |
tailed statement will DO found in the report
Of the Land Agent and am not aware
that any new legislation Tor material chang
Cs in the present system Ill be called tor.
Your early attention is invited t. the If
fairs ol the Prison at rhomustOn. Its crowd
ed condition renders some alteration, or OK
tension in ITS internal arrangement neccssa-
nv 10 accommodate the present inmates, not
10 anticipate further commitments. The |
main prison has one hundred and eight cells. |
There are now one hundred and thirteen in. |
mates, u portion OI whom occupy apart |
ments designed and required for the sick |
Some alteration Of the work shops is requir-
cd also, to enable the Warden TO employ the |
men to advantage. 10 meet these neccssi- |
ties, an appropriation will be required.
The reports from the Trustees and Super.
intendents of the Insane Asylum, and Re-
form School, will inform you as To their
condition, management, and neccsitles.-
They exist upon the bounties OF the State,
and make constant appeals to its enlishten-
ell libsrality for support. Too high an esti-
mate cannot be placed upon our charitable
and reiormatOry institutions. | commend
them to the especial care of the legislature.
The State has still unsettled claims upon
the general government, for balance Of in
terest upon advances made IN the protection
Of the North Eastern territory, for expenses
OF Commissioner 10 ascertain the rights OF
settlers in the late disputed territory cntitl-
ed to idemnity under the treaty Of Washing
ton for value Of lands set oil TO settlers I'M
der that treaty. You may learn the nature
and extent Of these claims from the report
of the Agent, Mt Washington, engaged in
presenting the same, which will be laid be-
fore you. Any special action on this sub
ject Is referred to your Judgment.
The constitution Of the United States
cOntcmplatcs an organized army and disci'
pinned militia, in the several States, to DO
Differed and trained by their authority nc
cordins To the discipline prescribed by Con
gress.
The State constitution declares that "no
terson of the a,c of eighteen and under the |