The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-11

MORNING, JANUARY II, 1861.

adoption BY the Legislature Of system OF ae-
counts for this department., involving, in Its
perfect execution, the designation Of two siicers
at least, who should act independently OF each
other, and each Of whom should be required to
keep one Of duplicate set Of books, in which
should be entered every item OF money received
or disbursed no receipt or draft to be valid un-
less signed by both. Provisions like these ex-
ist in New York, Ohio, and most Of the other
States, (suggested In many Of them by the dere.
lction Of their otiices.) under the operation OF
which il is believed that the abstraction or ILL.,
gitimate use Of the public funds, Is nearly Inn
possible.
or the State debt, $50, 900 will be due on the
first day Of March, 1851, and some provision
should be made for its redemption. A like or
larger sum will be due annually for several years
The spectacle Of State permitting the years to
pass without making an effort to reduce Its in-
debtedness, Is one which cannot look upon
with pleasure. The people Of this State would
be glad to diminish the amonnt OF interest they
are annually called upon to pay. and would, 1
doubt not, applaud the adoption Of any well ma
tured measure for the reduction Of the debt up
on which II rests. They would, II | do not
greatly mistake their character, be pleased to
see some moderate increase Of the State tax-it
would be so small that practically they would
scarcely feel tiff thereby they might be assur.
ed Of the gradual but certain extinguishment OF
the debt Of the State. The people who are ever
and justly restive under the weight OF burdens
imposed for the benefit Of individuals or classes,
or occasioned by the blunders or frauds Of
their officers, are ever ready and willing to grant
the necessary means for the discharge Of their
honest obligations.
The reports which the several State officers
are by law required TO make will be laid before
you at the earliest practicable moment. At the
time Of preparing this Address, have not been
able, with two OF three exceptions, to examine
them. They will show the operations Of the
offices from which they respectfully emanate,
aud to them must refer you for knowledge,
In the main, of their details, and for such prac.
tical suggestions as may have occurred to those
whose duty II is to make them.
The receipts of the land office for the year
ending Nov. 30, 1860. were S62, ,62i 20. and the
disbursements SjS,04 ID. l am not aware that
any change in the laws respecting the sale and
management Of the public lands will be demand.
ed.
Whatever measures, whether Of encourage
ment or regulation, will tend to increase the ef.
fciency Of the Militia, to place II on a better
and more practical footing, aud make II more
available for the eXgencies Of actual service,
will be regarded by you, may not doubt, with
that degree Of favor which their own merits, and
| the circumstances Of the times, shall require.
| Upon a cursory examination Of the recon-
mendations Of the Attorney General. i am in
clined to regard them as timely aud judicions.
The welfare and security Of a people. and the
strength and credit Of State, rest, to a large
| ciayy III not onIy essential that ab,e and
| bnn.s, mon sbnpld be selected for the elevated
nos;,ion M Jndycs M onr biybcst Cont. but n
= aiso ;mno,,ant ,b,, n sbonId be known that
they have been, that they may thereby enjoy the
public confidence and respect. The people
should always be able to feel that In the mani
fold questions affecting life, liberty and proper
| ripbts and remedies are in the hands of men of
| the hest legal accomplishments and of unoues-
toned probity. While il Is TO be readily conceded
that hitherto the bench of the Supreme Judicial
Court has been so constituted as to secure this
end in an eminent degree, it is to be considered
whether, with the present salaries, we may fair
| ly expect to be so fortunate in the future
There aie believe already indication that pla.
ces ON the bench are not certain 10 attract those
who are in ali respects the best auaIided 10 fll
them. Nor shall we be surprised at this, when
we reflect that those who occupy the highest
places Of honor and trust in the State receive a
compensation smaller in amount than is paid to
many mere clerical and ministerial ofiicers-and
smaller than Is often paid to clerks agents,
cashiers, &c., IN our mercantile houses and cor
PoIauols anu "n'.n mas veen ihcIeasea, III
'he term OF Ioly years, oy ohiy 'he small sum
0, TWO nv, mu.uaeu ,h ~ aomai' Pg. annu,n, auIinB
wnen uI'e VIZ elPens. w y. nN.ns anu the eon,
Phs. Pehsah t,,' ~ U'n.' pe,sons, p, "ne,hei ~
nJ Puoto u pr p,''a. ''', ,''. .s',Ii ono
nunu.u .nSia pan,ina,;or p,, , '"e 'uOJe'' 7" 'ou'
Tho conS,i,~,ion In. u,do I, Oh. d,,v NJ Tho
Ie,isla,ure ..to reonire the several town. IN
male suitable nroyisions AZ tbeir own e,nense,
for the support and maintenance of public
schools: and 10 encourage and
suitably endow, from time 10 time, as the cir.
cumstances of the people NAV authorize, all a.
cademies, colleges and seminaries of learning
within the State" Believing with the trainers
of thai instrument, that ga general diffusion of
the advantages of education is essential TO the
preservation of the rights and liberties of the
people," we shall not be likely to falter in the
discharge of the high obligation they have laid
upon upon us. The suggestions OF the Superin.
tendent Of Common Schools, and particularly
those in regard to Normal Schools, will engage
your attention.
The Report OF the Bank Commissioners will,
have no doubt, confirm the general impression
that the banks of THIS stale are IN q sound ana
healthy condition But while believe they
are entitled 10 rank among the very safest anu
best conducted institutions OF the KIND 10 ,he
country, anu am not prepared TO say that fur-
ther legislation Is indispensable, either Tor the
protection of the public or OF the stockholders,
| am confident that do not err In asking for
the subject your faithful and scrutinizing ex-
animation. That every safeguard should be
provided consistent with the reasonable con-
yenience Of those who are entrusted with the
management Of banks, there can be no ques-
tion. The good name and Welfare OF the State
and OF the banks themselves, not less than the
security OF the public, demand this. In view
OF the iact whieh cannot na'eeseaped your o9-
ser,auon, ,nat nearly every instance oi aeni-
cation, mismanagement anu loss, Nhich mas
occurred WITHIN our STATE LOT many years. mas
arisen rom the faculties when nave Deen eA,
tended 10 the oncers OF the Dank 10 issue anu
put IN clrealauon' oiils 10 iarger amount
than is autnoriied py Jaw canno. neip tnink-
ing that the Recommendation OF i1oyerhor nam,- lam
lin IN ms message 10 the Legislature OF 1921
was pertneht anu wise ne sAa
III may DC deemed ehpeuleht 70 uesgnate
some Sncer, ny law, VINO snali ueh,er 70 eacn
oanE olahk olns, duly eounterslgneu anu regiss
terea, wnicn snali consu.u'e 'ne circulation VI
,ne oank, anu a,so 70 ae's,,n'hS ,ne amount oi
| Dllls 10 DC tnus 'uelNefeI. Nnetner the