The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-01-08

tenn Of recruiting was put in operation in this
State, the quotas of the various cities and
towns being duly apportioned. As in 1852,
these notwithstanding indeed no legal
authority therefor at the time-paid liberal
oounties TO volunteers called for by the Pres
ident, which action was subsequently ratified
and confirmed by the Legislature. so at this
time. under like circumstances, they have
adopted the same course to provide for the
pending call, generally paying larger boun.
ties than before.
Under the rule prescribed by the first orders
ct the Governor. allowing men to enlist in
the quota Of any city or town. without re-
gard to the fact that the quota Of the place OF
the volunteers residence had or had not been
filed. q sharp competition sprung mp among
cities and towns, and much discomfort was ex.
cited. That order was subsequently, modified
in consequence Of these complaints. Upon
the whole, the attempt at securing the quota
Of this State has been eminently successful.
rejecting great credit upon the energetic and
assiduous efforts of my predecessor. The in
ducements held out in the form Of bountie.,
national, state and municipal. coupled with
the aid furnished TO the families Of soldiers,
have operated most fsvorably. and have
great confidence that the quota OF Maine
will be obtained in this mode. II brief sus.
pension of the draft Is allowed. and the Gen.
eral Government will continue its liberal
bounties long enough to enable US to canvass
the regiments in the field for the renewal OF
their enlstments.
Already two veteran regiments of infantry,
the Twenty ninth, commanded by Col. Beal,
formerly Of the Tenth. and the Thirtieth, by
Col. Fessenden, formerly OF the Twenty. fifth,
a second regiment Of cavalry, commanded
by Col. Wocdman. late Of the Twenty
eighth, an additional company OF cavalry
(slready in the feld.) commanded by Capt.
Cloudman, and battery OF light artillery,
under Capt. Twi,chell. are about full, and
nearly ready to 90 forward. In addition to
these corps, n considerable number have gone
forward to the regiments now in the field.
making between four and FIVE thousand en-
listed under the last call Of the President.
I respectfully recommend that you supply
the needed legislation to confirm the patriot.
ic action Of the cities and towns OF the State.
in the matter of bounties. to stimulate the
enlistment of soldiers for the service OF their
country; and that you devise, ii practicable,
some more uniform system Of bounties for the
future which shall prevent so much collision
and contention as has been witnessed under
the existing call.
There is one point in which Maine is made
peculiarly TO suffer by these calls for men.
A maritime state large numbers OF her citi.
zens find their vocation upon the sea. and
very many Of them have already entered the
service of the United States in its navy, Tor
whose enlistments she has no credit upon her
quotas. and the names of these men, still on
the rolls which constitute the basis OF the
acquisitions for soldiers, enlarge the quotas OF
both the State and towns. This is unjust and
should be rec,ifed. Sailors drafted into the
military service OF the Government, enter IL
reluctantly from want Of congeniaiity in the
employment with their former habits Of life !;
II, when drafted, they could be allowed to
enter the navy, or If inducements such as are
held out for soldiers, were offered by the
national, state and municipal governments,
TO sailors. the navy department would not be
obliged to complain that that branch Of the
service is suffering for lack OF men.
FINANCES.
The financial condition of the State infu-
enced by the necessities of the country, while
/, is not such ms would be viewed with COM
placency in the peaceful times Of old. yet.
measuring the public debt by the ability Of
her citizens, and considering the causes which
have created IL. can excite neither apprehen-
sion nor regret. Dependent for revenue as
Is the treasury Of Maine almsst exclusively
upon taxation, when large calls OF an extra.
ordinary character are made upon IL, the re-
sort for supply must he either TO increased
taxation, or loans obtained upon the credit Of
the State.
The Constitution Of Maine so limits the
power Of the Legislature to create State
debt. tina, except for war purposes, the en-
tire extent OF Indebtedness which could be
legally authorized. would not reach an
amosnt so large as to be an oppressive burden
for our citizens to pay by taxation in single
year. For war purposes there is no limi, on
the authority to hire.
The demands Of the present conflict have
largely swelled the expenditures Of the State,
and Consequently its debt, but these have
been met by the people without grudging or
complaint. On the first day Of January, 1868,
the funded debt Of the State was one million
four hundred and seventy.two thousand dol
lars, increased on the lst Of January, 1864,
TO two millions four hundred and twenty.
two thousand dollars. This increase was
caused BY payment Of bountes to soldiers,
the ulu uuNduCtu lOOS W tHSit isiht-
lies. Durin; that year the Executive, upon
the calls OF the President of the United Sta.
ties for more volunteers, no legal provision hav-
ing been made for the contingency. offered
certain bounties to facilitate enlistments.
The banks Of the State, at the request OF the
Governor, readily engaged to furnish the
necessary funds, relying solely on the good
faith OF the Legislature to repay. On the
first day Of March last, these advances with
the interest amounted to S3i3,22+.S6. In the
same year (lS62) the amount discussed by
the municipal authorities as aid to the fami.
lies Of soldiers, and under the law chargeable
to the State in 1868, reached S2Sl,s9S,S0;
making for these two items S575, 223.66,
Tor the payment Of which and other war
purposes. u loan OF 100000 wss author
iEed.
On the 6rst Of March last. the Treasurer
under that authority negotiated the bonds Of
the State for S525,00o, which produced
S599,92S.Ss. being a premium Of S74,92S-
SO on the bonds sold, a valuable and SUBJ
s,antial tribute to the integrity, prudence
and skill with which the finances OF Maine
have been managed. To furnish means for
payment of the boun,ies ordered by the Leg
isls,ure of 1868 TO soldiers drafted under the
Consumption Act. another loan OF 100000
was authorized. On the fifteenth day of Au.
gust last, the Treasurer. TO meet the calls
on tha, account. negotiated bonds to the
amount OF $4,000, which yielded $685.
1925, being n premium Of S2S.l3l.25.
At the date Of this las, sale. the United Sta.
ties 500 bonds, the interest payable in gold,
and selling q, par. had become very pop
ulsr investment, yet your own stocks even
by the side Of these commanded the very
handsome premium named.
This is the explanation OF the increase OF
the State debt the past year. being 100000