The Portland daily press., 1863-01-09

ate, 1T will be very far below the estimates
which many have been led to indulge. 1t is
rare that question of more immediate or
more far-reaching consequence is submitted
to the action OF a Legislature. The accept
ance of the act imposes very considerable re-
sponsibilites on the State, and l am justified
in assuming that you will exercise the sound
est discretion in any disposition you may make
of the munihcent gift now placed under your
control. FT..rt
RECIPROCITY TREATY.
On the eleventh day Of September, 1854, our
Government entered into commercial ar
rangement with Great Britain, in relation to
the trade other North American Provinces,
which arrangement is generally known as the
Reciprocity Treaty. IN was part of the agree
ment that it should remain in force for ten
years, "and further until the expiration of
twelve months afer either of the high con-
tracing parties shall have given notice to the
other of its wish to terminate the same; each
of said high contracting parties being at liber-
ty to give such notice to the other at the end
of said term of ten years, or at any time af-
terwards."
The last Legislature by joint resolution ex-
pressed the opinion that this treaty should be r
Terminated with the view of securing more
just and equitable accommodation of trade
with the British Provinces. | recommend
that yon give expression to similar views, in
sonc duu cillpnitiC way WIN tuc oD-
ject of bringing whatever we can to bear on
Congress, for the accomplishment of the de-
sired result. We have of course no direct
legislative power over the question, but the
deliberate and repeated expressions of the
government of a State whose people are pecu-
liarly and largely interested in the question,
cannot fail to have marked influence in set
tling the issue. 1t is neither my purpose nor
indeed my province to present any lengthy de-
fnil N ha ipi nf tha traa nv
Elaborate investigations made within the past
two years under the direction of Congress,
clearly establish the fact that the spirit of re-
ciprocal trade, which was the basis of the trea-
ty, has not only been ignored by our Provin-
cial neigbbors, but oppressive duties with strin
gent and hurtful determinations, have been
laid upon the products of our industry In
deed the treaty seems precisely adapted to the
free admission of all the products of the Prov
inces which come into injurious competition
with similar products of our own; while all
the articles which we might proftably export,
are met at the Provincial line with customs
charges which strip us of all possible advan-
tage in their markets.
scHooLs-PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
The educational interests of the State are
fully and ably set forth in the Report of the
Superintendent of Schools. 1t is one of our
chief glories that we provide at the public ex-
pense for the education of all the children of
the State. Our fathers wisely imposed il as a
constitutional duty, and we are reaping the
rich advantages of their foresight and their
wisdom. While we may not be in condition
to make any extraordinary expenditure Tor
educational purposes, it will be one of our
highest duties to see that our schools are main
tanned in full vigor and usefulness, and that
while other interests may suffer from the in
evitable effects of war, the culture of the
young shall in nowise be neglected or abated.
The annual Reports concerning our public
institutions will be promptly laid before you.
and will exhibit to you their condition and pro-
gress.
The Hospital for the Insane is in all respects
answering its beneficent designs, and its af-
fairs are managed in the most satisfactory
manner by its able Board of Trustees, and its
faithful and sklliul Superintendent. 1t is not
belived that any similar institution in the coun-
try is conducted with more devoted phlanthro-
| py, or with more eminent success.
! The State Reform School is undoubtedly do
| ing good work in the discipline and reform
| alton of juvenile offenders. Its annual expense
| has been very considerably reduced. as com
| pared with few years since, and its burdens
| on the Treasury are certainly outweighed by
| its benefits. Those who have officially visited
| and inspected the institution during the past
| year, speak in the highest terms of its disci-
pline, its general management, and its benef-
| its care.
! The affairs OF the State Prison are given in
| more than ordinary detail in the Reports OF
| the Inspectors and the Warden, and / respect
| fully ask your most attentive consideration of
| the facts presented. At no time since the
! Prison was founded has it reached condition
of self-support The annual deficit has of
| course to be made up from the Treasury, and
| is to that extent burden upon the people,
| Very strenuous efforts should be made to
change this condition OF affairs, and so organ
| iZe the industry of the convcts as to make it
| pay all the expenses of the prison. To this
| end / deem it absolutely necessary that the
| labor of the convicts be leased to contractors,
instead of the State itself attempting the busi-
ness of manufacturing, as is now the case. 1t
| will be my earnest endeavor, aided by your
valuable cooperation, to devise some method
| which shall permanently improve the financial
condition of the Prison.
| U. s. SENATOR.
The term of one of the Senators in Congress
| from this State expires on the Sd OF March
next. 1t will be your duty to elect success
| or.
| NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
While our immediate sphere of faction is in the
administration of the State Government,
| cannot close without adverting for moment
| to our condition as nation-our hopes, our
| prospects, our duties We are well advanced
in the second year of war involving issues
| of the gravest moment to all of us. The con-
test was precipitated by those who, no longer
| able to rule, were determined TO ruin, the Gov
| ernment of the United States. The ostensible
| reason for secession, was one which, il admit
| ted to have any force. would forthwith destroy
every element of Democratic Republicanism
which exists in our institutions-lor if a con-
stitutional majority of the people cannot have
the right to elect the President of their choice,
our form of Government is at an end and its
attempted perpetuation is farce. From the
day the Southern conspirators made open war
on the United States by assaulting Fort Sum
ter, the question passed to the arbitrament of
the sword, and not TO have accepted the issue
| would have been to basely surrender the life
| OF the nation. ....
Thus far we have, with patriotic unanimity,
sustained the President in all his efforts to
subdue the rebellion. The people of the loyal
| States have poured out their treasure and
! their blood in unstinted measure, and In their
| devotion TO country men have forgotten the
| preudices of party. Upon continuance of
| this cordial cooperation of all loyal men
| hangs the fate of the nation, and hence with
| all earnestness | eXhort the people of this
| State to maintain patriotic unity in support
| of the Government.
| To the most superficial observer it has been
! evident from the beginning of the war that
| the nsurgenl States derived great strength
| from the labor of their slaves. 1t is their work
| that furnishes the rebel army with food and
| clothh and Indirectly with all other supplies
| leaving the white population with trhing