Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-01-17
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
STATE PRISON.


The State Prison has been conducted upor
the same policy which has for several year,
been looked upon with commondlfion. II
appears. however. that its earnings for tbs
past year have not equalled its expenses by
some $1,000. The reasons for this are more
or less directly on account OF the Gro xded
state OF the prison, and viii more particu
larly appear in the report Of the Warden
and Inspectors. I am still OF the opinion
that the affairs OF tho prison are honestly
and judiciously msnaeed. I have had oc.
casion to suggest that the discipline in the
several grades of officers be more svstemat.
&c and harmonious. IL is important, for an
institution where the authority must be ab.
solute, that the officers render mutual sup
port. and while due subordin alton is insist.
ed on. authority should be respected from
higher to lower. ss well from lower to high.
err. Ii Is creditabie however to the man.
ageinent of the prison. that in the confusion
OF tearing down and rebuilding. no more
serious disturbance has occurred. The de.
hcit above referred to. together with the
SUN needed to complete the extension. will
amour, to some $50. 900. which must be re.
garded n, an indispensable provision for
the necessities OF the prison. The number
OF pardons during th.- past year has not
been so great as formerly, chiefly because
II has been thought that pardons should be
based upon either new evidence since con
Sictlon. mitigating circumstances unknown
to the court. indispuiabie proof Of thorough
reformation, CT some peculiar hardship in
the 'ase hich the law could not take int ,
account. The dignity OF law should not he
mockcd, and thc sentence of the court should
not be lightly set aside. The presumption
= - a
plicanis for pardon should bear in mind that
the burden OF proof is upon them TO show
why 1t should be granted and not upon the
Executive To show why IL should not. The
right Of petition must not BE- denied. but
pardons seem too often to be demanded. a.
~ the Governor and Couacil were dcfraud
ing conN'cts of their rights, or iuhirtirg up
on them some grieyous wrong by deriiuin.
10 interrupt the due conrse OF law In is
connection ! am constrained To refer again
TO the unsatisfactory relations OF the law
aud the practice ia the matter OF capital pun.
ishment. Nothing can be more plain than
the law contcmplaies the death penalty as
the extreme of puni,hment. .it declares
even the method. and rcquircs the Judge to
pronounce the awful sentence, but leaves
weak place in providing for ITS execution
by which n Governor. II so disposed, can
shirk painful duty. II begins tragedy
and ends a farce. am no, prepared to
say whether public sentiment de mands a
change in the law. but deem it proper to
inform you that shall consider it my duty
To dispose Of cases under sentence OF death
which comes before me for sction. and shall
either that the law is duly executed or
shall interpose the Execution prerogative OF
committing the sentence 20 imprisonment
for Lille.
The greater part OF the Report of the At.
torney General is devoted to comments up
on The operation OF the Liquor Laws. with
recommendation for important modfica
tions in them. This is a subject Of grave
consequence, and will demand your calm
and carei al consideration.
INTERNAL.
Agreeably to an order OF the Legislature
plans and specifications have been invited
'or the Improvement Of the capitol Those
have been furnished and will ne laid before
YOU. The elaborate plans submitted by
Bryant and Rogers, who have remodeled
the State Houses OF New Hampshire and
Massachusetts, suggest very convenient
and beautiful rearrangemcnt OF our interior
and extend 10 some changes for the outside
Other parties also have plans in prepare
ton. which will b. submitted
I have not deemed it advisable to recon.
mend any alteration at present which would
involve a great outlay OF money. Al al
events should extremely regret to see any
change entered upon which would disturb
the front OF our present building, which
regard as one of the finest and most im
posing in the country.
The report OF the photographic Survey
will. judge, show striking II not complete
results. The Survey proper has. a. a gen.
erai thing, been dispensed with, as so many
OF our towns voluntarily sent in full and
accurate reports OF their powers, and while
this was in hand i; was deemed inexpedi
ent to enter upon surveys that might be
found superfuous There are several i'm
poriant place. still to be heard from, and
this Report cannot therefore he taken a.
by any means a complete exhibition of 10,
water power OF the State. IL is a sufficient
ly remark able fac; that already 1900 wAte
powers reported. iron 20 to 20. 600 horse
power each, making an aggregate Of about
100000 horse poser, and equal 10 tie
working force of over 5 OEO. 900 able bod
iei msn. THIS will be more exactly e
forth Ia tho Report from which. incomplete
a. il must be. | anticipate an exposition o
the r sources OF ibis State for manufaciur
iug purposes. such as cannot fail 20 sirik
our own citizens With surprise, aud attrac
attention and Investment from abroad No
having seen the k.por OF tbe Commission
] an unable 10 indicate whether u would hi
advisable 80 extend it suy further At pres
ent. The capacity and means OF control q
our great water basins. | undersi and. re
main yet to be asceuaInsd. This is an n
Porsnt eIemcn, IN computing the availabi
iiJ Of our water poser
II this R''rort does not prove 70 be ex
actly ~ form or completeness Opted 70
popuiaT distribution. would sugge,t "a
the bulk OF appropriation for this survey
not dra~n) that the able Secretary Of th'
BOarl OF Commissioners be authorized 10 re-
wise and pot Il IN proper form for dIstribu
iion In thi- couutrv .rd IN Europe w