Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-09
WORCESTER.
MONDAY JANUARY o, 1871,
The sorernor,s Address.


The address of Governor Clatlin, which we
publish this morning, deserves to be carefully
read BY all who take any interest in public affairs
It's length may seem considerable, but this arises
from the number of important subjects treated,
and not from the introduction Of trivial or irrel-
evant matter or from redundancy of style.
Each topic is discussed with breyity, clearness
and good sense and the address is full Of yalu-
able information and useful practical sugges-
fions. 1t could have been made shorter only by
failing to refer TO some matters on which
all who read II will agree that the governor had
something to say which it is well that the legis-
lature should hear and consider.
The commonwealth Is congratulated on the
favorable condition of its finances. The total
funded and unfunded debt amounts to about
twenty eight and quarter millions, showing a
decrease of about two and a half millions dur
ing the past wear, although new loan for har-
Dor improvements and the issue Of new scrip to
the Unsuitable Boston, Hartford and Erie rail-
road tended to increase it by nearly half a mil
lion dollars. The funds for the redemption of
the debt amount to more than fifteen millions,
and are believed to be ample for the liquidation
Of the principal of all existing liabilities without
recourse to taxation. The ordinary expendi-
lures for the present year exceed the ordinary
revenue by two and half millions, which
amount must be raised by taxation unless the
tax on savings banks should be increased to one
per cent, In which case a state tax of two mill
lions only will be needed.
Of the railroad enterprises aided by the state,
s1,a g al,
aging rate. The contractors will, no doubt,
complete it sooner than their contract requires.
The amount of work done by them comes to
about q million and a quarter of dollars, OF
which little more than half million is re-
served as security for the faithful performance
of the contract. The whole length now opened
is little more than two and half miles, and
the remaining distance is a little less than two
miles and a quarter. The governor believes this
new avenue is very much needed, and
that, with care and fidelity in its management,
the treasury will ultimately be reimbursed for the
amount expended upon it; but if not, the indi-
rect advantage will far exceed the outlay. The
other railroad enterprise with which the
state is involved presents a less hopeful
spect, Its property has been placed in
the hands of receivers after the corporation
WAS shown to be hopeleSsly insolvent Suits
have been instituted in other states under which
some of It's rolling stock and other property have
been sold Litigation pending in regard to its
franchises and property, involves questions of
much interest to The commonwealth. The loans
o. The STATE to this corporation amount to about
S8,600,000, but the sinking fund reduces this
amount to about three millions. To secure this
indebtedness the commonwealth holds the obi
cations of the company to pay the bonds issued
b. the state at maturity, which is, of course,
Tllueless. Second, 50 800 900 Berdell mortgage
bonds, and third, a second mortgage on all the
lInds purchased of the state and Of the Boston
wharf company by the bankrupt corporation.
The Boston wharf company have given notice
that they are about to foreclose their mortgage,
an the commonwealth has about seven months
in which to take measures for protecting its
rights in this property. The amount due on the
FIRST mortgage is S1,200,000. The property in
,cludes about fifty acres Of fats on Fort Point
channel, of which twenty-six acres are filed,
and on the remainder considerable expenditure
has been made in preparation for filing. The
governor thinks these lands will be worth far
more than the amount of the first mortgage
debt, and recommends that some arrangement be
made with the Boston wharf company or an
appropriation be made TO save the property to
the state. He advises that the state should fur
nish its share Of the funds necessary to enable
the trustees Of the Berdell mortgage to obtain
possession of the road, and expresses his opin-
sOn hot he p1a # III
road ls desirable, this state should give it no
further aid, but let it appeal to Connecticut and
Rhode Island, which are at least as much inter
ested as we.
In regard TO railroads and their relations to
the state, savings banks, the state prison, the
prison commission, the state charities and the
militia, the governor makes sensible sugges-
tons. He defends his course in signing the
liquor law Of last year, though he does not
think it the best possible, and believes the peo-
pie by their votes in September last have signi-
fed their desire so improve this law, so far, at
least. as to suppress dram shops of every kind.
He commends TO the attention OF the Legislature
the report of the commissioners on inebriate
asylums, expresses his sense of the usefulness
of the state police, and thinks it desirable that
their numbers should be increased. The cattle
disease should have the immediate atten-
ton of the legislature, the agricultural col
lege is commended to the public confidence,
and further legislation is advised in regard to a
public park for Boston. On the subject of edu-
cation the governor speaks at some length,
making several timely and valuable suggestions.
Among other things he strongly recommends
the establishment of state normal school in
Worcester. We will not attempt to condense
his admirable presentation Of his views on the
woman and labor questions, but will only say
that they are those of a liberal and progressive,
aud at che same time cautious and safe coun-
sellor.
The address closes with a brief reference TO
national affairs, in which the governor expresses
his conviction that there is yet work for the re-
publican party, and that we shall be recreant to
our duty if we allow the government of this ma
ton to pass into the hands of those who ac-
knowledge fellows ip with the men who tried to
destroy it. He also emphatically deprecates all
attempts to encourage among us spirit of hos
tility toward other nations.