The Portland daily press., 1869-01-09

Treasury. This claim as wen as the similar
one OF Massachusetts, had been assigned to
The European and North American Railroad
Company; ard Gov. Bullock paid the share
of Massachusetts,, amounting to 49,, 6S7 so.
to me in trust Tor the Company. This was
at once paid over TO them through the State
Treasurer. AS there was some doubt in the
minds OF the Governor and Council as to the
Interpretation to be given t. the several pro-
visions OF the Acts and Resolves, relating to
the assignment to the Company OF our claim,
the money received upon it was not paid
over to them uotil the opinion of the Attor-
ney General had been obtained, nor then un-
til bond of indemnitication in twice the
amount had been given by them to the State.
A contract has been made with the His
tolical Society, agreeably to the terms of the
Resolve Tor the encouragement OF that socie-
ty inthe publication OF the carly Document
airy History OF Maine. The most gratifying
results OF this undertaking already appear.
The volume will soon be laid before you con-
tanning many original aad curious maps OF
tue earliest voyages to this region, ana Tue
discussion and decision of the most interest
ing questions relating to the discovery OF TINS
coast. The volume nov in preparation Is
still more valuable. think It may be safely
said that no more remarkable document
relating to the colonization of this continent
has appeared. The society and the State are
to be congratulated upon aiiording the aus
pires unIer which this work is to be made
public.
PRACTICAL INTERESTS.
My attention has been called to the imper-
tect manner in Which our land surveys are
made: which leads to much of the litigation
brought belore our courts. The recommend
alton OF the Commiss, cner on the variation
oil the magnetic needle that meridian lines
marked Inv Sfn6a mi ba fol Il shell
In each county to fix stendard :or the true
cardinal points by which each surveyor shall
be REQUIRED TO correct his compass, appears to
me valuable suggestion.
iocarcey any measure we have entered on
promises bette. results than the provision tor
The Report upon the Water Power of Maine.
A preliminary report was issued last year to
meet the urgent demand but the edition was
exhausted Immediately and the expectation
Is more earnest still tor the final report now
In hand There is available water power in
this State to the amount of upwards OF mil
lion horse-p owers-a power equal to that OF
lo.OJJ,0O0 OF men. No one can fail to see
t1at the seat OF manufactures OF New England
is yet to be within the limits of this State
When we consiher that in Massachusetts and
Rhode Island, water-power is worth from
Sl50 to S400 per horse power and rents IN
some places for $40 per annum for each horse
power, we see how immediate and great a
source of wealth lies in this single item oil our
natural resources. And it requires only lit
tie foresight ard breadth OF vision to compre
bend all the benefits that will flow from the
iuii occupation OF this to every branch of ma
tive industry. Other States are moving in
this matter anxious TO make the most OF what
they have. Our work should not stoo short
OF aHording the practical advantages for
which it was designed. Il must be borne in
mind that the active interest Of the several
localities has spared us the expense OF by
geographic Survey proper, and the work hilh-
erto has been carried ON with great economy.
We may With more freedom make the moler-
ate appropriation necessary to a satisfactory
completion OF The Report which the accom-
r"sbed Superintendent now has in prepara-
ion.
nc railroad enterprises in the State are
now pushing on with vigor, but still under
disadvantage. / have before ventured the
opinion that the burdens which the towns
We're taking unon themselves TO secure The
building OF railroads mightbe found too much
Tor them. Consider too that while these
loans drain so heavily upon home capital. the
bonds are then sold at ruinous sacrifice.
When town pledges all its available means,
and thsn is discounted by 20 per cent, it
seems to me not an advantageous way to
carry on public enterprise. Pardon me il
weary YOU with repeating that it would seem
better that the State should give her endorse
fnent to such enterprises as she deems vital
TO het advancement, providing by ample re-
strictions against the abuse OF the concession,
and securing herself By lien or mortgage
against the actual payment of dollar on Ell
ther interest or principal. There is no rail
road in this State which would not pay well
upon $4,000, a mile. Suppose the State
should endorse the bonds OF a road to thai
extent, taking proper security ter the pay
ment OF both interest and principal rom the,
earnings of the road. The result would be
l think, that the bonds would be negotiated
at par or nearly SO. and outside the state.
which Is the same thing as bringing capital ia.
Home capital would be lett tor inve tment in
active enterprises. Instead OF adding bur
den TO the people IL would actually relieve
them. In my opinion this would be safer,
less expensive and more effective than our
present system, and better than grants of
public lands.
Wna5 shall we do for our Aroostook road,
for example, where we cannot expect nor al
low towns to take the burden On them?-
How eau we justly leave Washington and
Hancock counties to cut their way through a
difficult country by their own unaided
strength? Or why Should a single city and
Its nei2hborng towns assume task which is
really Tor the benefit of the whole State?
do not pretend to be able to present-a
plan sufficiently guarded and effective but l
and Skill
Since our shipping interests have so much
declined we are not reaping the full advan-
tages from our wonderful coast; but there is
one way in which we may partly repair the
evil; that IS by opening RAILROADS to the sea.
DflnS hlther the products of our itch fields
and busy tactories-the treasures of the
North and boundless harvests OF the West
Lake our deep harbors the business outlets
OF tue great iakes-the ocean terminus OF the
mighty pathways which traverse half the
continent; bring hither also foreign ships to
exchange here the products OF distant lands,
and you will thus make US not only more
prosperous in wealth, but in thai higher cul-
ture winch comes from contact with older
civilizations, and the broad recognition of
other interests, and other men than those
within our own borders. There may be no
more than single pert upon our shore at
which all this can be achieved, but this
will be vital. centre which will send Lille
through all the State.
There Is great need of revision # the
statutes, and [ suggest that you MAKE provi-
sion tor this at the present session.
My atten ion has been drawn to a resolu-
tioD introduced at the last session providing
for biennial elections of State officers and
sessions of the Legislature. 1t strikes me as
worthy OF consideration. The people ale
oVertaXed and overburdened with elections.
This weight is felt more as business interests
are more active, and the demands for the
produces OF industry are multiplied. The re-
spect Tor law and its officers is lessened by
frequent changes. The excitement and dis.
order of political campaigns is demoialzinc
IN its effects. A change TO biennial system
would be vast saving directly and Indirect
II. We should be more prudent in our leeis-
Luton and in our expenditure. The financial
consideration is strong one. The year 1870
would be favorable Il ne to inaugurate a
new system. | commend the matter to your
further attention.
/ have heretofore remarked upon the de-
sirableness of encouraging Scandinavian I'M
migration. My conviction is strengthened
that it would be greatly to our advantage to
Induce colonies oil these hardy, frugal and in
dustrlous people to settle in this State. I
deem the subject OF sufficient Importance to
recommend that you appoint a committee to
investigate it. and if they find the project de.
sirahle to report some feasible plan.
Whatever we do to encourage other activi-
ties we must never fail to recognize the vital
Importance of agriculture. ] am happy TO
observe that increased attention has been
given the past year to raising wheat. Our
farmers seem to be inspired with new hope
and vigor. Ii anything can be done by us to
encourage the spirit OF enterprise in this d.
section, our aid must not be denied. All.
though the soil of the State generally may be
better fitted for dairy and stock produce, still
soils are not wanting here that are eminently
adapted to grain. Skill, too, viii open hidden
veins OF wealth, and mind mould mater at
It's VIII. Nor is our climate so rlGolOuS as to