Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-01-10

mately incurred BY the people in defence OF
the Nation. IL 10 needless to repeat what
has been 30 often insisted on, but ne should
endeavor to urge this claim upon Congress-
at the earliest uionssnt the state OF the coun.
try viii permit
MILITARY.
The Military Department CT the State
now consists almost entirely in few offices
devoted to the settlement Of the accounts
Of the State with the General Government.
and with our own citizens for services in the
suppression Of the late rebellion.
Adjufant General Hodsdon resigned his
commission early in the year, and General
j. &. Caldvell was appointed in his place
Tie Adjusanf General is now the only mil.
iiary officer OF the State who is under paw
We have absolutely no military organize
ton. The old law was superseded by that
OF 1855, and have not thought i, advisa.
BILE to organize the militia under the presen.
Law on account OF Tia great expense. IL is
very desrabie, however, TO have q small
body OF State troops nj c,tnmand for soeh
exigencies n may arire, and would sug-
gest whether il would not be expsdient TO
furnish such volunteer companies rs may
ofer. not exceeding ten, wifh complete
equipment including uniform. This Is less
expensive plan than to authorize the regular
organization, with the paw which by law at
taches to the service. The companies from
Bangor which appeared on a recent pubic
occasion showed . soldierly bearing and
discipline worthy of mention, and il such
companies could havr recognition and en-.
enlargement they would be all we should
need to preserve the military spirit, and TO
provide for public exigencies. Under the
resolve directing the Governor TO pro .urc
arms from the General Government or else
where, applied to the Secretary Of War,
and received assurance that we should be
furnished. The complications which alter
wards arose rendered 1t necessary ut that
time for the Government not TO establish
that precedent. and accordingly The request
was for the present Withdrawn. Many
States have nsoed to soldiers certificate s OF
service as tokens and rewards Many OF
the original discharges being lost or worn
ont in the effort TO obtain payment OF their
jus, Claims, and many families who mourn
their "unre,urning brave." having no Off
cial record OF their service, such certificates
would be justly priced. IL wo1iI seem fl
ting that Maine should render this las, of.
nee Of grateful recog milton to those who
maintained her honor on the fields Of the
Nations struggle, and l would respectfully
recommend that the Governor be authoriz.
ed TO issue certificates on satisfactory proof
and thar they be taken as legal evidence Of
service IN all cases where such testimony is
admissible
The administration Of the State Pension
law amounts in i,s labors to the duties OF an
entire office. Under the efficient manage
mcnt of the chairman OF the committee OF
the council. 4 has been at cost OF less than
thar OF last year by s.. The work
10 nov so systemafized that in another year
its expense will probably be still less
Whole numbers Of applications 1867 gran
ted 1895; rejected ESQ suspended for far.
Their rroof or explanation. 70, Amounts dis.
buried including estimates up TO Feb. %.
1868, S57 600. The wisdom and Justice OF
such provision by the State Is painfully
testified by the extreme necessities exhibit.
ed in the application. 1t i. but Just to con.
tinue this act. and cannot but recommend.
IN view OF facts thar are within my knowl-
edge. that aged or destitute parents or de
pendent sisters of deceased soldiers or sail
ors should be its benehclaries. Judging by
this years expe fence the demands upon the
State on account OF pensions will be met by
an appropriation of $50 900. The Board OF
Guardians OF soidiers' and sailors orph ans
has had an extensive field 1t has not vet
been possible TO search out all these so As
TO get complete returns. $50 have been
reported. OF these 455 have been aided
and II cared for IN as, lums. The amount
expended thus far j. 80 500; estimated 20
end OF year $500. leaving a balance OF
$4,000 un. expended. AID not drawn from the
Treasury. il has been found that many OF
these orphans we're without any proper
means OF support. sud some were actually
suff-rinf; and not the money only but the
guardianship OF the State Is needed Tor their
care. The demand is still great. more eases
having come in during the past month than
during any mouth IN the year. II IN your
Judgment the present mode Of providing Tor
these orphans is best, IL u my opinion tha,
with the aid OF the State pension which may
often prove sufficient. The sum oil SlO.ot
will meet the requirements.
EDUCATION.
The report oil the Superintendent Of Com.
mon Schools ~ N document of interest and
value. am not aware that it calls espec.
tally for legislation except in presenting the
suggestions Of the agent OF the Mads~aska
schools, which strike me rs worthy OF atten-
ton. improvements IN the course and
methods Of instruction should not be re
carried as impossible in times OF general pt o.
gross like the present. The people. gener.
Gus 10 contribution. demand economy IN
expenditure and profit in results. Orr per.
manent school fund amounts TO gas, I2i %
the income Of winch Tor the past year j,
el3.24414. The receipts from the bank
tax are rapidly falling of. being last year
but sI.475 The people are determined.
however. that the schools shall not suffer
They have raised by direct taxation th,
past wear. the sum OF sjls. 1872 81. A. aver
age Of ~ 22s scholar. and have built sew
enty nine new scbuolbouses. a. 4 cost o
$32S. 5sl lS Add to this the som oi sl5-
3l6 80. contributed 10 prolong publ,
schools, with s40.6l4 S3 paid for privat,
schools and academies. aud 90 425 Is paid
on, OF The State for tho same purposes
making an aggregate expenditure for
schools Of 1886. 1871 rs. and you will need
No ath.r 49,, a.. 4.