Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-14

amount paid for their support is S2,oVo.
The whole amount disbursed mp to the
present time is Sll.230; rentainingln the
hands oi the Board for disbursement dur-
inc the next quarter S3,0S0. Expenses
of The Board thus far $3.50, making the
total drawn from the treasury on this ac-
count for tho year $4,000, which leaves
the balance of the appropriation, viz:
5000. uuexpeuded and not drawn from
the treasury. Whatever means You pro-
vide for the care OF these orphans, ii is q
duty too sacred to be sighted. The aims
house, the howell and the street, are sad
homes for the sons at martyrs.
LEGAL.
The Attorney General suggests inn
portane changes in our law. Espe tally
do I concur In his recommendation that
the act OF 1869 relating tn reviews IN cap
ital cases. together with the related and
CONSEQUENT sections of other acts, be and
remain repealed. This was one of those
acts hurried through near the close orthe
session without due consideration. Al
though impressed with grave donbts n To
its coustitutionality and fitness to promote
the ends of Justice, was entirely unable
10 prepare and present such reasons oi
lublic policy as would warrant me In
uppo>inr an act which had the weighty
sanction of a majority at the Legislature.
believe the intent and practical working
Of the law were not at that time fully
undcrS TODD.
REVISION OF STATUTES.
The Governor and Council were in
structcd at the last session to provide for
4 revision and consolidation OF the Public
Statutes hy contract or commission.
After car elul consideration it was deemed
advisable to appoint Con missionerS for
that purpose. These gentlemen have
been diligently employed upon their work,
and their report will be laid before you ut
an early day> The matter Of changing
the phr-Seolngv be ii never 50 slightly,
OF existing laws, in order In harmonic
and consolidate them. i 50 delicate aiaSN
that YOU will pardon ne IL | remind you
of the close scrutiny with which such n
revision muse be examined before 1t -
passed upon. making N" doubt at the
same time that the work OF the board will
bc found in a high degree accurate and
iudiciouS. The period happens 10 he n
critical one the census about tn he taken.
the new valuation Of property to hold Tor
the next ten years, and various matters
ol unusual Importance awaiting vogr de
ci>ion. render il of the utmost importance
that Won should use the best discretion
and foresight in repeating obnoxious or
unnecessary laws. and in CnactinC such
~ incorporated into this revision may
Give !, some chance of standing for ten
wears without being - mUtilated and
oycrlaid ~ soon 10 become almost with
out advantage.
OUR JUDGES.
The cnmplaiuti>uot unlrcquently made
that the administration of Justice j. neither
So prompt nor 80 impartial - il should
hc in this state. lf'hi> i 50 the remedy
i beyond The reach of nv SUgg, >,iouS.
am of opinion, however, that an in
Justice i done The court rs well - the
people. by reason of the fact that the
Judges oI the Supreme Court arc required
Ia travel over thr length and breadth Of
this State without proper remuneration.
qm not aware that this i the case with
ANY other officer ON public duty. 1t i
well known tho salaries of the Judges are
inadequate and without dcroga,iug aught
from that high reverence for the court
which Is naturally entertained by Us MI,
and 50 especially commended by the
character of our present Bench, il i still
BY no means unnatural that a Judge de-
,aincl from home nj heavy expense.
every day making deeper jnrcad> upon
his >cauiv means oi support. might be-
come impatient Of long terms and in his
anxiety possibly slight seine duties
When il j. the case A. now. that the more
one does the less pay hc has. The tendency
and eNcc, Is not difficult ,operccWe An
uncmharra>scd independent judiciary is
OF inr>timablc value | would respect
fully >ugc,S - tha, the actual expenses OF
the justices OF the Supreme Court be
audited .al paid 10y the State
VOTING AMENDMENT.
II WAS made the duty Of the Governor
and Council 10 count and report the vote
on the amendment; 10 the constitution,
authorizing the lee i>laiurc 10 divide towns
into voting districts. Thv whole number
of votes upon this amendment was 5lS6.
Number voting Yes 2Su9 number
voting NO. 2571. 81 the constitution is
amended accordingly.
STATE uQUoR AGENCY.
The accounts Of Inc State Liquor Com
missioner, and has methods us doing buSi-
ness. have been carefully examined and
are found highly satisfactory Some
points remarked on in his report will de-
maud vuur attention. The practice OF
turning In couIiNca.cl liquors. always
more orlc>S impure, 10 the town agencies.
taken Ia connection with the fac, tha, we
have provided State Commissioner who
Is paid and placed under bonds 10 furnish
nothing hu, the purest liquors which the
town agents are impera'iyely required to
purchase exclusively of him, i SO absurd
that guod logic, if not good morals, de-
mand that il should be prohibited.
THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION.
II j. proper that | should inform YOU
that there seems To- he a general falling
OF in respect Tor our liquor laws. The
enforcement OF these laws comes in no
manner within the power OF Executive.
IL very properly doyolvcs upon municipal
officers, and the degree OF their zeal and
efficiency i measured by the prevailing
local sentiment. 1t is not an unreason
able theory that the State should secure
the even and impartial execution of her
laws Throughout, her jurisdiction 80 far
probably ali good citizens would agree
but the erection of u special police for the
purpose mainly of enforcing the liquor
law beyond. certainly. ii not against the
wishes OF the municipalities, has been
urged hy some a, a proper measure and
prucla med by a few Is test of allcgi-
ance 10 the cause of Temperance. But
in government Ike ours o2c Of the
most delicate things which u State could
be called upon to DO is to invade the