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

tutiOus lHO bcStslntur0 VI tuIb OthtG Ny
solve. March 25th, 1853, accepted tho grant,
and directed the Governor to notify the Presi.
dent OF the United States thereof, and no WAS
also authorized to receive the scrip for the land.
A board or thirteen regents was likewise Gre.
ated to take an assignment Of the scrip issued
to the State, to locate tho same In their own
names, for the use and benefit Of the State. and
for the object proposed by the act Of Congress.
The Governor was authorized to assign the
scrip to the regents, but not before another
session Of the Legislature. The regents were
likewise authorized to solicit subscriptions
and proposals for the location OF the college,
to deliberate upon and consider the adyan-
tases OF various locations, and examine SIM
liar institutions in other States. The re.
gents arc to be chosen by the Legislature. on
Joint ballot, and to receive no compensation
for their services
This Is a summary Of the leading points Of
the legislation on this subject. M election Of
regents having been made, there has been no
progress In the advancement OF the object, and
the whole matter Is open, without any embar-
rassment, for you to adopt such measures ~
you may believe best adapted to fulfil the pur-
pose of the grant. II Is evident that while the
endowment was intended to be liberal on the
part Of the National Government, It was also
expected that the States, each for itself, were to
become the patrons Of these institutions. While
among the sciences to be taught, II Is declared
that the leading object Is to teach those relating
to agriculture and the mechanic arts, the Ian
guage Of the act making the grant declaring
specifically that It Is not Its purpose to exclude
other sciences, is pregnant with tho conclusion
learning OF the highest order, for its scope Is
as comprehensive as its whole spirit is liberal.
Anxious rs arc the people to secure the bene-
fits Of this grant, at the present time. the pres
urc of taxation weighing heavily, and the calls
for money for the nccessitiesAof the war are so
imperative, II Is for you seriously to consider
and determine In what way this may best be
accomplished. I am aware Of the enyious RI
varies likely to arise among existing institu-
lions, upon the proposition to connect the ag-
ricultural college with somc one OF them. The
movement last year in that direction met with
very slight favor from the Legislature, and II
was indeed premature, for the subject WIS new
t., the people, and had been very little consd-
cred.
II Maine Is to have the institution which this
grant designs, the Legislature will find 1t nee.
essary, either to endow new one, with very
liberal amount OF funds to start It., to be fol-
lowed by annual appropriations for its support
to the end Uf time, or avail itself OF Someone
of those already existing, which has been here
tofore the recipient Of the bounty Of the State,
securing thereby edifces, library and laborato-
ry-the gathered results of large expenditure
and patient effort, indispensable to the proposed
institution, demanded by the purposes Of the
grant, and the first and most expensiys to be
provided by the State. Without the slightest
preference on nv own part, rs to what institu-
agricultural college, my convictions are very
decided that 1t Is expedient to adopt some one
OF them, should the Legislature decide to act
definitly on the subject ut the present session.
The unsettled state of the country, combining
with the operation f.the national homestead
law, to depress the value Of the public domain,
forbids any undue haste In committing the
State beyond recall to either course Of pro-
cedure.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
For detail of the condition Of the various
public institutions, depending IN whole or In
part on the public treasury, you are referred to
the reports Of the several officers having the
same IN charge.
The asylum for the insane. during tho past
year, has been occupied to the full extent of Its
capacity. Its history and experience fully vim
dictate the wisdom Of the public favor and pri-
yate beneyoleuce which founded and has sus-
tanned 1t. As refuge for those afflicted by the
most fearful calamity which waylays human
being. 1t is worthy Of oil the did 1t may require
from the Treasury. .la.t.,
The institution for the reformation OF juven-
lie offenders, however much public opinion may
have bean divided OF the outset as to its utility,
has grown In favor under the management OF
It's present head. and recommend the necessa-
ry appropriations to sustain It. -. ...r 5r
The reports OF the Warden and Inspectors OF
tho State Prison, detailing the operations at
that institution for the six months ending De.
cember 1, 1868, indicate more prosperous
state OF affairs. This has been an exceedingly
expensive establishment, and while in other
States the labor Of conyicts has been made
largely to contribute to defray the expenses OF
their subsistence and custody. ours has been
constant drain on the treasury. commend
this institution to your special attention, with
the hope that under apparently improving cir
cumstances, n system of management may be
adopted which shall result in placing the State
Prison of Maine on footing with those Of 9TH |
or States which have been to adegree self-sus.
tanning.
deaf, dumb and blind, you will OF course make
the usual appropriations /
The report of tho Secretary and OF the Board
Of Agriculture, bearing the impress OF the pc |
culiar ability of that officer, contains much |
valuable information relating to that FREEDOM. |
insnt interest Of our people. and will, trust
receive wide dissemination.
PUBLIC LANDS.
In regard to the public lands, am not aware
that any change In the laws regulating their
management Is ut this time demanded. The
policy OF the State Is exceedingly liberal, so
far as the promotion Of the occupancy OF its
settling lands is concerned. The conditions to
be performed which secure q title to home
stead being the payment Of 6fty cents per acre
in labor on the highways. and the performance
of settling duties; or, in substance, that the
settler shall make himself home on his lot
and road 10 or across 1t.
There have been some sales OF timber lands
the past season. the first for ten years, and at
very satisfactory prices. think that there ex. |
lists In tn, public mind very vague and indef |
mite idea of the quality and value OF these
lands. The purchase Of Massachusetts, NOM |
iua,ly large in its number OF acres, added but |
little to this class. The lands which TINT Com |
monwealth had held In sevcralty, and which
Maine acquired by the purchase, came to US
for the most part, burdened BY permits or H.
when the land shall be needed for settlement.
but that time Is indefinite. and may be remote,
and Is not unlikely to give rise to controvcr-
sizes between the State and the parties permitted.
think II very desirable that the public do
main should DO classified according to Its va
rious qualities, as timber, settling and waste
lands, aud that report thereof be made, with
the quantities OF each. and the location. and 10.
cumbrances, II any, upon every tract, to the
end that the Legislature and the public may OBJ
tain more definite idea Of tho description. val
ne and quantity Of those lands, than now pro
walls. This may DO done by q Commission, Of
which the Land Agent should be one, or per-
hans by him alone. The lands oil having been
surveyed, ut least into townships, the greater
mart OF the information necessary to mako the
may be found In the Land Office.
A practice has prevailed within o few years
ns,t In making grants Of land, Of doing u By
parcels, giving thereby wider range OF seleo.