Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-07
Governors Address.
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND

In approaching the duties OF another session, it
is well 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 woe; but the questions
which within your control, and the duties to
which you are now solemnly devoted are worthy Of
your best thought and conscience and wisdom.
While the dark burden of the war rolled its
gloom us, the people we're not niggardly in CIV
ing over-critica in receiving whatever promised
aid in the great deliverance With patriotism which
knew class or section with generosity which
counted no cost, and devotion that shrank from
no 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 men measures that came
10 the guise and color Of the common cause. But
the crisis now is past; the field won. The times
are different; duties We must challenge
both measures and men; cast out the false, dsplace
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
nels 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-stifed energies to be set free,
new powers put in motion. No spiritless timid
reluctance to grapple with the vexed questions
which may claim attention, should be allowed
to settle upon from tho too modest impression
that our acts Of little consequence. On the
trary never was 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 more 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, pon:
p, nfra fv nd
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 much to do. We sit down
here to devise things for the public good. Let
be at the work early, and do it both we'll and
quickly. For both possible. Promptitude and
activity will enable us to avoid protracted ses-
sion, omittng nothing and at the same time
sidering WELL That there will be conflicts of opn-
ion and differences of Judgment may be expected,
and is we'll. Where men are thoughtful there
will seldom be unanitnity. 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
administer laws is moral courage. We cannot
expect much that is good from laws enacted under
canor 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
cf-the virtue in the hearts of the people That in
stnct may be deceived but will not be defeated 1t
demands honesty, and will pardon us if in that
cause are over bold
One man indeed, we have lost from active partic-
patton and influence in our affairs. One voice is
silent that was wont to speak only honest conviction
without favor and without fear. William Pitt
Fessenden is gone. The of men that dare be
right has suffered loss The man who will calmly
resolve and give Judgment with understanding. un-
moved by the voice of those who seeing not so
clearly feel more yioenty-the man who aims for
the ultimate right rather than for the near advan-
tage-the man who in the tremendous hour of re-
spunsibility when great issues hang upon his action
hearing above the tumut Of taunting foes and sup
picatng friends the deeper voices of reason aud
conscience, fixes his single eye duty and stakes
his all upon the blow-that man it is hard to ind
and hard indeed TO lose. One by one the great men
around whom our hearts rallied in the dark days of
the Republic are passing from view. We feel
that We are lost rather than they. Happy will it
be if the young rising to their places shall
learn from their example, and be able when the day
Of trial comes to do their duty unselfshly, as
boldly and as well. The deeds of such men live
after them. Their words are gone out unto the end
of the world. Their light shall shine along the
heights of history as the glory lives on the Alpine
peaks when the sun is seen more.
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 10 eject senator Ine OF Tue
ending March, 1871.
proceed to lay before you abstract Of the con-
dtion 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 n most
interesting statement and history of our fnancies.
Our receipts during the past year have been $685. :
Sl4.5c, and our expenditures 1913, ,609 so. On the
old civil debt we have paid the annual nstallment
of S37 600 leaving balance of 1884 900. Our war
debt December 81, 1869, was 81, ,632, 500. This is
amply provided for by the sinking fund arising from
the tax of three -fourths of a mill on the dollar by
the valuation Of 1860. OF this debt $500, 900 falls
due in 1871. The sinking fund with the collections
from the general government applied to extngush
this debt, already amounts to S972 $780, so that
already Sl72 in advance Of 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 debt, and the municipal reim-
bursement loan is S., 100000 Notwithstanding the
heavy drain on 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 fall somewhat short of the last STILL
We should make all reasonable appropriations
1t would be poor economy to refuse to expend any
money till our debts are paid
The remarkable feature of our finances this year
is the assumption by the State Of portion of the
expenses Of towns. This is made at the rate of
500 for every three years actually furnished
for the war After long and thorough examina-
tion of the most tangled and perpexng matters the
commissioners appointed to adjust the reimburse
ment have now 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. 05, 1873 49, The fractional
parts of 500 required to be paid in currency in this
distribution amount to $40, 1888 For the rest,
viz $3,0S4, 400, Bonds Of the State are now ready
for issue bearing interest from October l. 1869,
the rate of six per cent, payable semi-annually.
To provide for this interest and the rateable portion
of the sinking fund required to extinguish this
debt, you will need to assess the sum Of about
$50 900
1t would serve as protection against loss rob-
berry, if you were to provide for the registration of
these bonds as the holders might desire. If por-
tion of this loan fud its way to the market. there
is reason to apprehend serious depreciation.
Under the late striugeucy which severely tested
all bonded securities, ours 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
congratulate ourselves upon the public confidence