Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-08
Governors Address.
GENTLEMEN oP THE SENATE AND

HOUSE OF REPRESENTh11FES
In approaching the duties of another session, ii
is we'll to impress upon the mind due estimate of
their Importance and acknowledging and invok-
ing the Divine favor, seek for wisdom in their faith
full discharge 1t is true that the councils Of the
nation have more to do with the greater matters
of our common veal or woe; but the questions
which within your control, and the duties to
which you are solemnly devoted are worthy of
your best thought and conscience and wisdom.
While the dark burden Of the rolled its
gloom us, the people not niggardy in Civ
ing over-crtica in receiving whatever promised
aid iu the great deliverance. With patriotism which
knew no class or section, with generosity which
counted no cost, and a devotion that shrank from
sacrifice, they poured their choicest treasure and
their most precious life into the field where the
great issue joined for the guarantees of liberty
and government Of law. Intent this they
paid little attention to little things; they did not
stop to challenge either or measures that came
in the guise and color Of the common cause. But
the crisis now is past; the field won. The times
arc different; duties new. We must challenge
both measures and men; cast out the false dispace
the weak, entrench the strong. We must look back
over the tumultuous track and see where ruin can
be repaired and abuses corrected; the false chan
nes cut by the wild overflow stopped up; the
true currents Of prosperity restored. We must look
forward, not only to see what must be borne, but
what must be done,-stihed energies TO be set free
new powers put in motion. No spirtless timd
reluctance to grapple with the vexed questions
which may claim our attention, should be allowed
to settle upon US from the too modest impression
that acts Of little consequence. On the con-
trary, never sound Judgment and generous toll
and the clear sharp scrutiny that runs before and
After more demanded by the exigency of the times
and the interests of the people
government has something to do than to
govern, and levy taxes to pay the governors 1t is
something more than police to arrest evil and
punish wrong. 1t must also encourage good, poin:
out improvements open roads of prosperity and
infuse life into all right enterprises. 1t should
combine the insight and foresight Of the best
minds Of the State for all the high ends for
which society is established and to which man
aspires. That gives us much to do. We sit down
here to devise things for the public good. Let us
be at the work early, and do it both we'll and
quickly. For both are possible Promptitude and
activity will enable US to avoid protracted ses-
sion emitting nothing and at the same time con-
siiorng we'll. That there will be conflicts of opin-
ion and differences of Judgment may be expected
and is we'll Where thoughtful there
will seldom be unanimity. Where men are honest
there will be sharp individuality. Independence.
if it is genuine, is no evil, but good. The great
requisite, indeed, the part of those who make
or administer laws is moral courage. We cannot
expect much that is good from laws enacted under
clamor or to meet some crisis, nor from statesmen
who are chiefly concerned in contriving TO keep
their place and power. One thing we may be sure
of,--the virtue 10 the hearts Of the people That n-
stinct may be deceived but will be defeated 1t
demands honesty, and will pardon if in that
cause over bold.
One man indeed, we have lost from active partic-
patton and influence in affairs, Ono voice is
silent that wont to speak only honest conviction
without favor and without fear. William Pitt
Fessenden is gone. The race Of men that dare be
right has suffered loss. The man who will calmly
resolve and give Judgment with understanding. un-
L..
clearly feel more violently-the man who aims for
the ultimate right rather than for the near advan-
tage--the man who in the tremendous hour of re-
sponsbity when great issues hang upon his action,
bearing above the tumult Of taunting foes and sup
plcating friends the deeper voices of reason and
conscience, fixes his single eye duty and stakes
his all upon the blow-that man it is hard to find
and hard indeed to lose. One by one the great men
around whom hearts rallied in the dark days of
the Republic passing from cur. view. We feel
that lost rather than they. Happy will it
be if the young men now rising to their places shall
learn from their example, and be able when the day
Of trial comes to do their duty unselfishly as
boldly, and as we'll. The deeds cf such men live
after them. Their words gone out unto the end
of the world. Their light shall shine along the
heights of history the glory lives the Alpine
peaks when the sun is
The vacancy in the United States Senate it became
my duty to fill for the time, and l accordingly ap-
pointed Hon. Lot NJ. Morrill,. 1t now devolves on
you to elect Senator for the remainder of the term
ending March, 1871.
proceed to lay before you an abstract of the con-
diton of the State. with the few suggestions which
appear needful to be made: the more complete de-
tails and cogent reasons will for the most part
appear in the several reports and other documents
submitted to your inspection
FINANCIAL.
The report of the Treasurer will present most
interesting statement and history Of cur inancies.
Our receipts during the past year have been S939,
Sl4 Sc, and our expenditures S9l9 900 so. On the
old civil debt we have paid the annual instalment
Of S97 900, leaving balance of 1894 900 Our war
debt December 81, 1869, was Si,632 500. This is
amply provided for by the sinking fund arising from
the tax of three -fuurths of mill on the dollar by
the valuation Of 1860. OF this debt $500 900 falls
due in 1911. The sinking fund.- with the collections
from the general government applied to extiuguish
this debt already amounts to 1912 $50, so that We
already Sl72 $50 in advance of our liabilities in
1871. and at the present rate of increase shall
be $500, 500 ahead.
Our whole public debt January |, 1870, including
the civil and the war debt, and the municipal rem-
bursement loan is S., 800. Notwithstanding the
heavy drain the Treasury last year, expenditures
have been economical and cut short that the loan
authorized to meet current expenses has not been
resortcd to, nor have even the appropriations been
exhausted. 1t is estimated that with all that may
reasonably be contemplated, the rate of taxation
this year Will fal somewhat short OF the last. Stl
should make all reasonable appropriations
1t would be poor economy to refuse to expend any
money till our debts paid
The remarkable feature of our finances this year
is the assumption by the State of portion of the
war expenses Of towns This is made at the rate Of
500 for every three years actually furnished
for the war. After a long and thorough examina-
ton of the most tangled and perplexng matters, the
commissioners appointed to adjust the reimburse
ment have made their report, which will be
found to contain serious matters Of history in regard
to the method Of furnishing men for the war. They
adjudge the sum of So, l05 lS3 S3 The fractional
parts Of Sl00 required to be paid in currency in this
distribution amount to $50, 1888. For the rest
viz So ,0s4 400, Bonds of the State now ready
for issue bearing interest from October |, 1862 at
the rate Of six per cent, payable semi-annualy.
To provide for this interest and the rateable portion
of the sinking fund required to extinguish this
debt, you will need to the sum Of about
$50 900
1t would serve protection against loss or rob-
berry, if you were to provide for the registration Of
these bonds as the holders might desire. If por-
tion of this loan find its way to the market, there
is no reason to apprehend a serious depreciation.
Under the late strngency which so severely tested
all bonded securities, fell off not more than
or per cent from par. When we consider also
the much higher rates Of interest offered by other
securities which food the market We cannot but