The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-01-14

which believe Is still possible for It. 1t
Is my duty to say that. so far rs appears,
there are two principal causes OF Its pres
ent feeble and uncertain condition: LIST.
The neglect of mechanics and manufac-
turers and masters Of the Industrial Arts,
to assert their rights In the college. I'd,
The deep-settled feeling on the part OF
many. that the location Is unfavOrable.
The existence of these two disadvantages
Il Il worse than folly to deny or pass over
with soft words. The truth Is we must
come to an understanding In the matter.
It is pity towastc money and mind, even
for the best Ofinotives, without hope OF q
successful end. The S2S,0 900 voted last
winter on condition OF perfect decd Of
the property TO the State. has fallen dead
through failure Of the town to make tile
full conveyance. IL we are all In earnest
to have the college go on where II Is,
neither the State nor the town need Insist
much upon conditions. But II 1t Is the In
tention to remove the college, then Il
would be best not to cxpend more money
there. am unable to give you the least
information or advice on this point. But
am ready to assure you That unless we
keep In mind the scope and generous In
tent of this institution Il will never greatly
thrive. A farmers college Is q good and
worthy idea, but that alone will not live
and move. There are not boys enough
who mean 10 90 back TO farm after they
have got through the college. Farmingis
not at present a business Of that inviting
sort In Maine. But q school embracing
all the material Industries, teaching our
young men skill In the handicrafts which
Invite them to worthy and profitable en-
ployment, training and neryinS them to
strike sure and good blow In the manly
Of peace or war--such school
In fact as hundreds Of our young men go
ont of the State 10 seek, would not only
live and flourish. but would be q powerful
and pre-eminent good. Whether we can
make such school OF ours do not
know; but such an one we must have or
our money and our efforts will have been
spent in vain.
The splendid volume published by the
Historical Society forming the first In the
series of the Documentary History OF
Maine authorized by the Legislature Of
1867, which traces tile discovery Of this
coast from the Mortimer In 900 to the
Charter of Gilbert In 1873, has doubtless
been laid before you. "A volume quite as
remarkable, containing the first publlca-
ton Of an original manuscript of the cele-
brated Hakluytt in which he urges upon
Queen Elizabeth the vigorous prosecution
Of colonization on this coast, Is In course
Of preparation. II Is proposed to 20 on
with the History of the actual occupation
Of this territory under the influence and
efforts Of Sir Ferdinando Gorges. These
works are a credit TO the liberallty of the
State and the learning Of the society, and
are attracting mucl, attention rs valuable
to American History. ,
MILITARY.
The question OF al efficient and ecOnon-
ical militia system has been long agitatcd,
but still unsettled. For the last three
years l have given the matter much
thought. You will bear me witness that
] have not shown disposition Is exalt
unduly the military element, to incur the
expenses or abuse the powers which the
law places In the control Of the Executive.
II Is unsafe. however. to be without some
military force at call IN case Of need. The
moderate suggestion was made and
adopted mt the last session, of authoriz-
Ing ten companies of Infantry to be fully
equipped by the State. The orders of the
Department will show with what care and
caution the intent Of the Legislature has
been carried out. Applications have'bccn
thoroughly considcred; companies have
been accepted only where the several To-
calities appeared fully In earnest TO main
tain them, and only those men mustered
who upon rigorous examination were
found able to do full duty. The result In
dicates the wisdom of the statute. We
have now an incentive To military duty,
and q premium on good soldlership. Il
will be work and not play. a school OF
discipline for manlincss. Seven cOmpa-
nics with an aggregate Of 4l3 men have
been accepted. The appropriation in
tended to accompany the act having been
no uniforms have as yet been
issued with the exception Of ovcrcoais for
the two Portland companies, which are
under orders to appear on duty. We can
The better afford to expend money Judi
ciously. because we have not expended
any fOollshly. These companies were not
TO be organized Us regiment. That
especially l wished to avoid. LIST. They
extend over too much space to be best
handled In that way. I'd. The rank Of
Colonel would be too low for the actual
of our whole effective force.
3. This Office being elective, the personal
and local rivalries that would cnsuc
would be harmful to good discipline.
4. IL was the pith Of the whole
plan 10 have these companies indie
pendent corps responsible only to the
ommandcr-in-Chief, and capable by the
character OF the men their military knOwl-
edge. spirit and discipline. Of being eX-
pandcd into regiments and even brigadcs
ut very short notice, with officers NIL ready
competent and understanding. This ] am
Is the right way for ms. and at a
triiling expense we may have body OF
soldiers which might well be defence to
the State. Our present militia law Is n
good one and sufficient for all exigencies,
and need not be touched. .
large lot Of material accumulated In tbe Arsenas,
and practically worthless To the state. has been very
adv ageOusly sold under the direction Of com.
mittee of the Council, and the proceeds, Ss6i, paid
The state Pension Law has been administered with
iSS 4, OF ti,e.c SIS have been allowed al various
rates. The whole amount expended To date Is s2its!
The pension year ends somewhat awkwardy ON the sd
of February, which constantly renders complete re-
port 20 the Legislature impossible. would be better
10 make the pension account end with The year. IL Is
estimated that ~ claims more wi lie presented
and allowed, rendering the whole number Of the pen
sons some io and swelling the amount paid Tor the
null year To about S}S.00. These figures may
regard as about the settled amounts Of our liabilities
on the score of PENSIONS The law and Its application
Is now 80 well understood that few but meritorious
cases will apply and these, u may he presumed, are
now nearly all In IL will be seen that the amounts re-
ceiyed by the pensioners fall very FAR short Of the
maximum allowed by law, via: 81 each. The average
Is now very nearly 80 The appropriation being
limited are of course. anxious To Keep within the
amount; while the applicants 80 many that o ten
der aid To ALL the allowed 90 each must necessarily
be SMALL and have tn bo sent away empty, aud
perhaps rather sunniarily. You will doubtless con-
iinue this aid IL seems indeed pltully small, COM
parcd with the great gif these widows and orphans
and wounded have made to the nation In her hour
OF peril This ptance does not restore health, nor the
soil or husband, father. The guide 81 youth and
the stay Of age Is smten from their sight The best
NE can do Is poorthe most VIC can give Is little. That
at any rate we should do and should give. The cost o
the Penson Office will be 50 100 for the year. Perhaps
Some saving might be made and sDe other advantages
secured By placing this business In the hdutsn-Gcn.
erals Office. The ordinary duiics Of that Office will
naturally be less gradually settle mp lhe accounts
OF the war. One dlsady antage would be olyiaed-thc
changing Of hands each year all doubtful or disput-
ed cases now. appeal might still be had TO the
The Hoard of Guardians Of destitute orphans Of SOL
oilers and sailors have used such diligence they
could IN milling their trust The duties of this Board
are varied and wide. Besides receiving applications,
mt Willing uistant