Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-07
NO. 6.

alone will not live and move. There are not boys
enough who mean to go back to farm after they
have got through the college. Farming is not
at present business of that inviting sort in
Maine But a school embracing all the
terial industries, teaching our young men skill
in the handicrafts which invite them to worthy
and profitable employment, training and nerv-
ing them to strike and good blow in
the manly rivalries Of peace or war-such q school
| in fact as hundreds of our young men go out of
the State to seek. would not oply live and flourish
but would be powerful and pre-eminent good
Whether we make such school of ours do
not know; but such must have or our
monsy 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 Doou
mentary History Of Maine authorized by the Legis-
lature Of 1867, which traces the discovery of this
coast from the Northmen in 800 to the Charter of
Gilbert in 1878, has doubtless been laid before you
A volume quite remarkable containing the
first publication of original manuscript of the
celebrated Hakluyt in which he urges upon Queen
Elizabeth the vigorous prosecution Of colonization
on this coast, is in course of preparation Itspro-
posed to go with the history of the actual occu-
patton of this territory under the influence and
| efforts of Sir Ferdinando Gorges. These works are
credit to the berality of the State and the learn
ing Of the society, and attracting much atten-
tion as valuable contributions to American History.
! MILITARY.
The question of an efficient and economical
Militia system has been long agitated. but
still unsettled. For the last three years /
have given the matter much thought. You
will bear me witness that l have not shown
disposition to exalt unduly the military ele-
ment, to incur the expenses or abuse the pow
ers which the law places in the control of the
Executive. 1t is unsafe however to be with
out some military force at call in case of
need. The moderate suggestion was made
and adopted at the last session, of authorizing
ten companies of Infantry to be fully equip
ped by the State. The orders of the Depart
ment will show with what care and caution
the intent of the Legislature has been carried
out. Applications have been thoroughly con-
sidered companies have been accepted only
where the several localities appeared 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 statute. We have
now an incentive to military duty, and a
premium on good sodiership. 1t will be work
and not play, school of discipline for manli-
ness. Seven companies with aggregate of
413 men have been accepted. The appro-
priation intended to accompany the Act hav-
ing been overlooked no uniforms have as vet
been issued with the exception of overcoats
for the two Portland companies, which are
under orders to appear on duty. We can the
better afford to expend money judiciously,
because we have not expended any foolishly.
These companies were not to be organized as
f regiment. That especially l wished to
avoid. lst. They extend over too much
space to be best handled in that way. 2. The
rank of Colonel would be too low for the ac-
tual command of our whole effective force.
3. This office being elective, the personal
and local rivalrcs that would ensue would be
harmful to good discipline. 4. 1t was the
pith of the whole plan to have these compan-
les independent corps, responsible only to the
Commander-in-C Chief, and capable by the char
acter of the men, their military knowledge,
spirit and discipline, of being expanded into
regiments and even brigades at very short
notice, with officers all ready competent and
understanding. This ! am satisfied is the
right way for us, and at a triffing expense we
! may have a body of soldiers which might well
, be pride and examplesas well as defence
to the State. Our present Militia Law is
good one and sufficient for all exigencies, and
need not be touched.
A large lot of material accumulated in the
, Arsenals, and practically worthless to the
State, has been very advautageously sold
under the direction of committee of the
Council, and the proceeds, 50, ,564 6l paid into
the Treasury.
The State Pension Law has been admins
tered with much care. The whole number
of applications for 1869 is 772. Of these 635
) whole amount expended TO date is 1924 562.
The pension year ends somewhat awkwartiiy
on the 23d of February, which constantly rem
ders a complete report to the Legislature
impossible. 1t would be better to make the
pension account end with the year. 1t is esti-
mated that some so claims more will be presen-
|. ted and allowed, rendering the whole number of
pensions some 700, and swelling the amount
, paid for the full year to about S35, 900. These
n aS abput
tied amounts of our liabilities on the score of
pensions The law and its application is now
/ well understood that few butmeritorious cases
will apply, and these, it may be presumed, are
now nearly all in 1t will be seen that the
amounts received by the pensioners fall very
far short of the maximum allowed by law,
viz. 500 each. The average is now very
, nearly $50. The appropriation being limited
we are, of course, anxious to keep within the
amount; while the applicants are so many
) that to render aid TO all, the sum allowed TO
} each must necessarily be small, and some
have to be sent away empty, and perhaps
rather summarily. You will doubtless continue
this aid. 1t seems indeed pitifully small, COM
pared with the great gift these widows and
,, orphans and wounded men have made to the
+ nation in her hour of peril. This pittance
does not restore health, nor the son, or hus-
, band, or father. The guide of youth and the
stay of age is smitten from their sight. The
| best we can do is poor-the most can give
t is little. That III any rate we should do and
, should give. The cost of the Pension office
will be 80, 100 for the year. Perhaps some
saving might be made and some other advan-
tages secured by placing this business in the
Adjutant Generals office. The ordinary
duties of that Office will naturally be less as
we gradually settle up the accounts of the
war. One disadvantage would be obviated
the changing of hands each year. In all
doubtful or disputed eases as now, appeal
might still be had to the GQyernor.
The Board of Guardians of destitute or
phans of soldiers and sailors have used such
diligence as they could in fulfilling their
trust. The duties of this Board are varied
!, and wide, Besides receiving applications
they have to search out cases, visiting distant
places for the personal inspection of reported
destitution, and sometimes assuming the en-
: tire care of the homeless and unprotected.
The result has shown many bereayed families
. and much suffering. The number of or
phans now on our list is 22T0. Of these,