Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-01-14

tslaton upon TINS sunfct bhoulu nVe " ~
harmony with the constitution. ltis?lan
that by Il the grea, body Of the people De-
tween certain ages were subjected to tho
performance Of military service, whenever
the sxi-cacis. Of the State or county should
demand il. Bot as in tunes Of peace only
/ limited number would he needed for ac,u-
al service. u was accordingly provided that
All Of the class mentioned should Se enroll
"a and that large portion might be eHeu-
sci from AetuNl service on PAymen: Of such
sum as the legislature should determine.
A law framed in accordance with these
requirements. wlihou, being oppressive to
that class who are excused from service up
on paymsn, Of a slight equivalent, wOuld
relieve tho Treasury Of the present expense,
which was never Designed should fall upon
il, and enable the Sta,s to pay the small
body Of troops required for actual duty
some jus, compensation.
At the trial Of capital cases not less than
\ majori,y Of the Justices Of the supreme
Judicial Court are required to be present,
anu no, less than a majority Of the whole
Court are 70 concur in any ruling or in-
struc,iohs in such trial. These provisions
practically subNcs to great inconyenienee
and delay. in the ordinary administration
Of justice. beside they determine rule OF
no practical utility which might prove
highly prjadieial. Under the practical
working Of the law Of capital punishment,
no objection is perceived 10 the trial Of this
class Of cases by single Judge. For inior-
nation and suggestions upon this sobjeci,
and also Of other important matters con-
nected with the administration Of Criminal
Justice. | rcier you to the annual report OF
the Attorney General.
The CLAIMS OF this State upon the general
government Tor expenses in the protection
Of the disputed territory, in the Mexican
war aud Tor interest paid, have been reeog-
Mined BY Congress. aud il Is hoped will not
be longer delayed. The nature OF these
claims and their condition will appear from
the reports of the Commissioner at Wash
lsrtin which will be lad before you.
An appropriation OF $4,000 was made
by the last legislature to be expended by
the Governor and Council Tor the enlarge
msnt Of the State Prison AZ ThomastOn. IL
made provision ior an Investigation into the
Affairs Of the prison authorizing for that
purrOss the appointment Of some suitable
rsr-on to examine into the system Of dis
burs. men,s, labor aud discipline, aud to
comTarc the sane with prisons in other
State. in order 10 determine whether u may
not he made -sli.supPOrting.
Upon an examination into the condition
Of the prison and its wants Immediately
upon the adjournment OF the legislature, &,
va. apparent thA, the sum appropriated
was inadequate to make the Contemplated
enlargement, not TO mention additional
workshops, % which there is grcat need.
Il Was therefore concluded, eIc,p, as TO a
Sigh, expenditure for the temporary accom-
mediation of the prisoners, 10 defer the cI'
peudi,uro Of the appropriation 70 such time
a. would enable the legislature, through the
rcport Of the Commission, TO Be possessed
OF all uccdiul information As 10 the coudi.
ton and nccds Of the prison aud to &C, IN.
ielliscntly IN relation thereto. Tho tru',
Contemplated by the resolve Of the last leg
stature vas condjed to gentleman Of in.
telhscnce who has bestowed much time up
on the subject, and whose report when re-
ccivci. will bc communicated FOR the inior.
nation Of the legislature.
Causes not understood to involve the pre-
sen. government Of the prison, but growing
out Of the system Of internal economy, labor
aud general arrangements OF the establish
menis and which have existed from the
beginning. have made tia large annual sI.
peuss ~ the State. There is urgent neces-
sity for thorough reform in these respects.
The general structure - such that an un.
reasonably large force is required Tor disei.
F. pine aDl safety. From ineomplc,eno's and
positive lack OF workshops the men eAnno,
. be employed to the best advantage. Not
I 20 mention other causes large deficiency
in the revenue aud excess In the expenditure
would necessarily follow tho-e. Instead Of
making a large annual dral. upon the Treas
ury, i, j. in my judgement, practicable that
the prison should become entirely solt'suP-
porting. / iorb,ar 70 enlarse upon thi,
topic a. the whole subject will be presented
in detail in the report OF the Commission
but add the expression Of my conviction
that you can DO no latter service to the
State than TO give it your early and careful
consideration.
/ Upon information, from sources entitled
to credit. Of fraudulent and irregular trans
actions at the late election in the plantations
organized Tor election purposes, particularly
in the county Of AroOstoOk in the French
settlements, with the advice Of the Coun-
call CAUSED an examination into the facts
to he made. The matter was confded to a
citizen OF the state Of great intelligence,
who upon enquiry Of the principal inhabi.
tants IN thoss locations aud by examinations
Of such OF the records rs were accessible,
was able to gather and rePor, what took
place and which in my judgemen, sugges,
the necessity Of further legislation To pre-