Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-07
qailg Aenurbet Sournal.
AU G L s T A,
Friday Morning, January Z, 1870.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

The fourth annual message of Governor
Chamberlain to the Legislature of Maine,
has the scholarly finish and completeness
which all his public papers have, and con-
tains thorough statement of the concerns
of the State, with many wise suggestions
and recommendations. 1t will be read
with pleasure by the people, and impress
the Legislature anew with the ability and
honesty of its author.
The message appropriately opens by
acknowledging and invoking the Divine
favor. Following this it points out the
duty Of scrutinizing men and measures
more carefully in these times than during
the war, and looking sharply to the restor-
alton of the general prosperity. Sound
judgment, honesty and industry are de-
manded.
A fine tribute is paid to William Pitt
Fessenden, and his course held up as an
ment Of Hon. Lot NJ. Morrill, as United
States Senator is mentioned and the nee
essity of an election for Senator at this
session
The financial condition of the State is
favorable. The receipts during the year
have been S939,s14,50. while the expen-
ditures have been s9l9. so. The sink
ing fund is 1872 $50 OF our debt $780,,
600 falls due in 1871, which the sinking
fund in its present condition will pay and
have balance left of SIP, $50, so that
we already have that sum in advance Of
our liabilities for 1871, and at that time
and the present rate Of increase we shall
be $500, 800 ahead. The whole public
debt January /, 1870, including the civil
and war debt and municipal reimburse
ment loan is $S,000,000. Expenditures
have been so economical the past year
that the loan authorized to meet current
expenses has not been resorted to, nor
have the appropriations been exhausted.
Reference is made to the assumption of
the war debt and the bonds necessary to
be issued
The Governor recommends tax upon
ness in the State, but does not approve Of
taxing savings banks The old State bank
system is dead and will have to be given
up. What the State needs is capital. We
are crippled for want of it. The Governor
thinks the national government should re-
duce taxation and not undertake to pay
the public debt too rapidly He thinks it
would tend to make money more plenty
and help our case to perfect and make
practicable our free banking law and
legalze higher rates of interest.
The public institutions are in a satisfac-
tory condition. The Reform School shows
excellent management. An Industrial
School for girls is needed. The State
Prison does better and better 1t pays its
expenses this year and leaves a balance
of $3.50, 9O,--a marked change in the bal
lance of accounts. Everything is done
for the improvement and welfare of the
convicts that can be in the circumstances.
Attention is called to the evils of our Jail
system. The present mode of dealing
with the deaf and dumb is approved. The
Insane Hospital is full and the new wing
needs to be finished to accommodate APP
plicants. The Governor would have the
grounds laid out and improved. and give
the patients more outdoors recreation
and employment.
The educational interests of the State
are improving. More improvement has
been made in the common schools than in
anything else. The Normal Schools,
County Supervisorships and Institutes
have produced great results. Much has
been wasted in this direction in times past,
but better things have now begun. The
College Of Agriculture and Mechanical
Arts fails to attain the prosperity hoped
for, partly because farming. manufactures
and mechanics have not asserted their
rights in the college, and partly because