The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-01-14


decentralization of society--akd universal reign OF
terror. 1t that, rather than the calm vindcation
Of righteous law by a Just penalty, when shollu
properly be called going back to the dark ages.
Therefore ii is that | deem it not wise to llsten
when weakness usurps the name Of mercy ana
pleads tor the impunity OF crime
PROHBIT0RY LIQUOR LAW.
Legislation upon what man shall eat and drink,
i. certainly d pretty strong assertion OF STATE
rights" over those of the Individual But every
rood citizen will admit that drunkenness is an
evil. a jishonor TO manhood diSturber of society
and a deriment t. the State. 1t stands out from
other vices in being the exciting cause of much of
the costly litigation and criminal proceeding be-
fore the courts, and III driving men to crimes
which they would not otherwise commit. Hence
is the duty of the State to restrain men from it,
and protect the innocent from its depredations; and
the duty OF the individual TO yield some OF his per
sonal rights for the general good. our otate mas
accordingly enacted the present prohlbtory law. as
in its judgement an adequate means to this end,
and wherever it has been executed it appears to
have been effective.
Since the repeal OF the Constabulary Act there
does not appear to have been much use OF the ord
red laws IN some localities the friends and guard
ians OF good order have done their duty, and the
traffic in Intoxicating liquors is ehecually suppress
scd But for the most part there seems to have
been 4 r action from the severe measures OF the
previous year. and also 4 willingness on the part OF
to let the reaction do its worst, III order to
give urgency to the movement for more stringent
legislation Precisely what measures TO adopt TO
secure the more general execution OF this law Is
question on which the Wisest and best Will differ.
II may be proposed TO restore The late Constabu-
larry system. but experience found in that much that
Na. objectionable. 1t was essentially repugnant
80 The deep settled notions of municipal rights. IL
was an independent aud abnormal power IN the
civil system. II afforded liabilities to abuse and IN
liscrction4 in its exercise. We should be able to
provide som, means which would more command
thc consent and cooperation Of the people L thnk
il highly desirable to accomplish this end If posi-
Ire through our established civil officers but at all
events let rs execute our laws.
amin ttlai q.
eation-cither of the liquor or the murder laws, all
crime and all evil are 10 be expelled from among
men. TIE most we can do is to lntmldate ana re-
train them, the Divine law has as yet achieved
40 more.
These are important matters, and am persuad-
cll that you VIII deal with them without rashness
nf fear
SPECIAL REPORTS.
There We're several special duties laid on the
Governor and Council at the last session OF lp9
Legislature in regard to which 1t iS proper tnat
Immediatc measures were ordered to be taken
TO enforce the collection OF the claim against the
>urrties of Is. ID. Peck, late Treasurer of state:
The Attorney General was accordingly Instructed
10 proceed With the case before the court, but this
officer appears to have found some embarrassment
il fe matter, which will be laid before You in his
report.
some complications having embarrassed the Leg
stature gard to the bids for the public print
ing aud binding, the matter was referred to the
Governor and Council who were directed to con-
lraC therefor with some responsible party. 1t ap-
peared that more favorable terms could be made
with the old contractors than with any other par
tics. and contract. We're accordingly made with
tholn al rates considerably reduced from those OF
last year.
The Governor and Council were also directed to
in' estigate the condition of incurabe idotic and
lcmentcd inmates of the Insane Hospital, with a
view 10 separating classes Of patients; and also to
examine localities proper Tor an Asylum, with the
cost Of buildings be erected purchased for this
purpose. In attending TO the first portion of this
duty il was necessary TO consult the experienced
~, t,l
submitted by him will be laid before you. After a
full consideration of the subject it has been DEEM
ed advisable TO recommend the erection of sepa-
rate Asylum ut present, inasmuch as our existing
Hospital building is not yet completed IN accord
ance with the original plan, and it is thought best
to bring our established Institution into perfect
condition possible before the erection of anOth
CT. We would further recommend the purchase
Of the Hard adjoining the Hospital on the South as
measure necessary not only to the symmetry Of
the grounds but to the convenience Of the Hospital
rs ii stands, and to the welfare OF the patients
themselves.
In obedience to the direction OF the Legislature
the Arsenals ut Portland and Bangor have been eX-
anned with view to the eXpediency OF disposing
of the present sites and erecting State Arsenal in
the Vicinity of the Capitol. After careful consd-
Grafton of the matter il was thought most alvan.
tageous for he State 10 retain the Arsenas at pres
mt Y nv g AtRoas We haJe nSW 20 ht HIS
we actually reqnire no Arsenal at all still 1t is not
tCly that such will long be the case 1t is unsafe
og tht state 10 be without IA moderate supply OF
arms and equipments, and our territory Is so eX-
tensFe that probably it will always be found nee
cssaIy to have two Arsenals at points so remote
from each other and so central in their respective
sections as Portland and Bangor
In accordance with a Resolve tC that effect. a
commission was appointed TO obtain information rs
to the practical operation of Asylums for lnebri-
ates, the report of which IS to be submitted to you.
by the same authority proposals were invited
from cities and towns desiring 10 cooperate IN the
establishment Of State Industrial School for girls.
No responses have as yet been received.
o1IS he oil yypH tn
lay an Institution prompted by every humane and
Christian consideration, and fraught with so much
good % society. Upon an accidental visit to the
my surprise that more than a hundred children
from rhis State most of them girls, had been gath
cred from devious ways into this kindly told. 81
impressed am ! with the good which this instu
hon is doing, and such confidence is commanded by
the broad and high basis on which it is built, thai
think il would be proper to pay certain subsidy
for every child maintained there, until we can fur
uish some corresponding means OF reclamation In
own State.
cannot forbear to call your attention to the i'm
perfection Of our present jail system Besides be-
in@ insecure. unhealtht1l and expensive 1t is at
tended by moral evils which disastrous III the
extreme. The lails are schools OF wee and hot
beds of crime. Here the hardened prohigate, the
accomplished desperate, the unfortunate youth
guilty OF hi first offence, possibly only YET
suspected, are huddled together without proper
restraints and with no profitable employments or
amusement. Unfortunately the prisoners IRE not
confined to one sex. 1t may be imagined how rap
IGlN Inc interchange OF criminal experience, nHC
Instructions in wicked ways brings all to the leve
of the lowest and how latent capacities of evil are
nourished and crime is multiplied. Some of oul
lais also situated that young people can gath
or around The windows and hold converse with the
inmates. We i'll afford to have such institu-
lions as educators OF our youth. / would respect
July suggest that commission be appointed to
anime and report upon this matter.
The long pending claim of the State against the
United States for indemnity tor lands assigned to
settlers on thc late disputed territory under the
provisions OF the fourth article of the Treaty OF
Washington, having been met by an act OF Con-
gress at its last session, was advised by the tx.
ccutiye Council-whch by Resolves Of 1854 and
1861, appears to have plcnary powers IN the mat
tcr-t0 enter into agreement with the authorities
Of the United States grant releases of the title of
the State i'll the lots TO which possessory claims had
boon aid by sottors and nnntirn,,Ad by (nmrnic
ers appointed for that purpose, in order thai the
money authorized for this decentralization might
he received. This was done. The Land Agent
entered upon the work of finally establishing the
titles OF the settlers, and the money amounting to
Sl13,906.25 paid TO me, and deposted in the
Treasury. This claim as well as the similar one OF
Massachusetts, had been assigned to the European
and North Amer lean Railroad Company; and Gov
ernor Bullock paid the share of Massachusetts,,
amounting S32 6S7.20, to me in trust for the Com
pany. This was at once paid over to them through
the State Treasurer. As there some doubt
IN the minds OF the Governor and Council as to the
INTERPRETATION to be given to the several provisions