Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-14
school oE ours | do not know bat such an
one We must have or our money S''" w"
efforts will have been spent ia VAIN

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The splendid volume published hy tue
Historical Society forming the first M The
serie, OF the documentary History o:
Maine authorized BY the Legislature OF
1867, which traces the discovery OF tins
coast from the Mortimer in 999 tn the
Charter of GLIDER; in l57S, has doubtless
been laid before YOU.
A volume quite IS remarkable contain
ing the first publication OF an Original
manuscript of the celebrated lias'ult IN
which he urges upon Queen EIzaOeth
the vigorous prosecution OF coionizstioh
on this coast, Is in course OF preparation.
Ii is proposed IN go on with the History
OF the actual occupation of this territory
under the influence and efforts of Sir Fer
dinando GorgeS. These worSsare a cred.
tito the liberatity OF the State and the
learning OF the society, and are attracting
attention a. valuable contributors to
American History.
MILITARY.
The system of our efficient and ecOuom-
ical Militia system has been long agitated
but still unsettled. For the last three years
! have given the matter much thought.
You viii bear me witness that have not
shown a disposition 20 eXaN unduly the
military element, To incur the expenses or
abuse the powers which the law places in
the control Oi the Executive IL is unsafe
however, 10 be without some military
force al call in case Of need. The moder.
ate suggestion was made and adopted III
the last session of authorizing ten com,
pauies Of Infantry 10 be f0lly equipped by
the State The orders of the Department
viii show with what care and caution the
intent Of the Legislature has been carried
out. Applications have been thoroughly
considered; companies have been accept
ed only where the several localities APP
peared fully in earnest to maintain them,
and only those men mustered, who upon
rigorous examination were found able TO
DO full duty The result indicates the
wisdom Of the State. We have now an
incentive 10 military duty. and premium
to good soldier>hip II will be work and
not play, a school of discipline for manli-
ness. Seven Companies with an agSre'
gale OF lis men have been accepted. The
appropriation intended 10 accompany the
Act having been overlooked, no uniforms
have as yet been Issued with the eNCep-
ton OF Oyeryuai> Tor The Portland compa-
MES. which are under orders to appear on
duty. W can the better afford 10 cNpend
money iudicIuu>ly. because We have not
expended any fooIshIy. Our present
MiiiLia Law !, a good one and sufficient
Tor ali eNjgeucics, aad need not be- touch.
ell. IL may be well in due time to add
few companies 10 those nov authorized.
These companies were not 10 Oc ovg;;Iiz-
cd - = regiment. Tha; especially wish
ell To avoid. lSi. They extend over
too much space 10 Do handled in that
WAY. III. The rank of Colonel would bc
too low Tor the a ;ual command ot oUr
whole effective force. 81, THIS Off 'c be-
iug elective, the personal and local rival.
ricS that would eusue would lie harmful
60 good discipline. nth. Il was the pith
OF thc.wholc plan 90 have these cpmp,n-
les independent corps. responsible uuN
10 the Commaudcr-iuChic and capable
by Che character ot The men. their military
knowledge spirit and discipline, of being
expanded into regiments and even brig
AIDES at very short u,lice, with officers alt
ready competent and understanding
Thi, am satisfied J. the right way Tor u,
AMI 81 20 tri!'iug expense we may have
body Of soldiers which might we'll bc -
pride and example - well - defence
10 TIE State.
\ large lot OF material accumulated in
the Ar>eua.>, and practically worthless
10 the Stale, has been very al, an lgooUs-
" sold under the direction of committee
of the Council. and the proceeds :, 56+.-
CT pa.d into the Treasury. The : ate
Pension Law has been administered with
much care. The whole number of app'i-
cations Tor ls69 up To the pre,en, ;i,.,c :
- Of these 63) have been allowed ai VI.
riou, Rates Tie whole amount eNpyuj-
cd % DATE, i S24.562 The pension wear
ends >omcwha, JwkwarlIy on the sd ot
February, which constantly reudyys q
complete rcpo,, 60 Oh, Legislature inn
possible. Ii would be- better To- make the
pt nSiun Year end with thr 81, ol Deccm-
Der. Il Is estimated ih1t some ii.:y claims
more Will De presented and allowed. r,n
dcring the whole number of pensions
some 200. and swelling The amount paid
for the iull Year ,o about 80. Uuu. These
figures We may now REGARD rs about
The settled amounts OF uuy iAliutic, uu
the score Of pensions. Il viii he seen
that the amount received hy the pension
erS falls very far ~hor, o'ihe maximum al
lowed by hw-yiL: 500 each The aver
age : now very nearly so. The appIU-
priutiou being limited, We are. ct course.
anxious 90 keep Within The amount: while
the applicants are - many. that 20 render
~ q. sal k..- ~. 4
necessarily bv small, and some have 10
De sent away empty. and perhaps rather
Srmmariiv. Ton Will continue this ajG.
IL seems. indeed. Vi,ilu'ly small. compur-
cd with the Srra, gin these widow, and
orphans and wounded men have made
20 the Nation I'm her hour ot PERIL. This
pittancc does not restore health. nor that
son, nor husband, nor father. The Guild,
of youth and the STAY Of AGE j. >miu,u
from their sight. The best We can do !,
poor-the most We can give i little. That
81 ans rate We should 10 and should give.
The cost of the Pension office viii ha
-. 100 the Year. Perhaps some saw
inc might be made and some other al
vartagcs secured ty placing this business
IN the Adiutant Generals office. The or
binary duties ot the Office will naturally
be less q, VIC gradually settle up the ac
count of the war. OGc disadyautag,
would be obviated. the changing of hand,
each year. In 81 doubtful or disputed
cases ~ now appeal Oh, still be had to
the Governor.
SoLDrRs' ORPHANS.
The Board Of Guardians of destitute or
phunS Of soldiers and sailors have u.,d
such diligence as they could in fulfilling
their trust. The duties OF this BOARD ,r,
varied and wide. Besides receiving al-
phcationS they hive to search out CASES.
Visiting distant places for the personal M,
SPcction OF reported destitution,-and
sometimes assuming the entire care of