The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-01-12
Governors Address.

Gentlemen OF the Senate aad House Of Represen
t0tireS.
In obedience to constitutional requirement ant
the peoples summons, we have met to consider the
condition and interests of the State and, to con-
secrate our best efforts to her service. 1t is fitting
that the Threshold Of our duties, we acknowl
edge with devout and reverent hearts the merclfu
Providence that has vouchsafed to US, as people
so many blessings, and humbly implore the guild
ance of Him whose wisdom is alone sufficient to
direct and without whose blessing our labors can
not be crowned with success.
CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.
We have cause for congratulation in the general
prosperity Of the country. We are at peace with
all nations The waste and devastation of the war
are being rapidly repaired. The memories of those
who fell in defence of the country are treasured i'll
the grateful hearts Of the loyal people Their sac
red dust Is being watched over and protected by the
assiduous care of the nations deepest devotion
Their dependents, and those who were MANNED or
otherwise disabled, are receiving the pledges of the
I peoples ineXpressible gratitude
The determination of our people to allow no re-
pudation, but to pay honestly every dollar of our
honest debts has been fully affirmed, resulting in
the establishment of more confidence in our nation-
al securities, and opening the way for the exchange
Of our outstanding bonds fay others bearing lower
rate OF interest. The average price of gold as COM
pared with currency for the year just closed has
been twenty per cent. lower than the previous year.
and the tendency is still downward. This indicates
that, without any financial embarrassment, we may
soon touch solid bottom financially, and be free
from the evils of deprecated and luctuating cur
rency. More honesty and efficiency in the collec-
| ton CT the revenues, and greater economy in the
administration of national affairs, have enabled
Congress within the last year to reduce the taxes
collected from the people eighty millions of dollars
annually. We are assured that a further reduction
will be made, and that soon the tax spirits and
tobacco, with the tariff on imported Injuries, ard
on such other articles as may be necessary to pro-
tect our own industries, will be sufficient to meet
all our national obligations. Since March 1st, 1869
/ nublip debt IA baan nj n
hundred millions annually, diminishing our annual
interest account i'll twenty-five months nearly
| twelve millions.
FINANCIAL.
| The report Of the State Treasurer will presen. a
detailed statement of the condition of our finances
Our receipts during the past year have been 81 924
164,l2; our expenditures $5,04l ,S46,64. Our pub
lie debt is So 0G7 10000. OF this debt $50 900 be-
comes due the present year. To pay this we have
the sinking fund of 1861 amounting to ST 17S G77.
Gl This will pay the debt becoming due, and
leave balance of the sinking fund in the Treasury
of s2sl ,G,'.6l. The sinking fund Of 1868 amounts
to S92 0ls, 80. The trust funds held by the State,
including the sinking funds amount to ,017 0430s;
exclusive of sinking fund, $146, ,3lG,92.
The people of the State expect and will require
at our hands the most rigid economy in all our eX-
pendltures. Our taxes are necessarily heavy, but
should be made as light as possible. No heavy
burden should be added. am not unmndfu OF
the truth of the proverb that 'There is that scat
ereth and yet increaseh; and there is, that with
1
ty" Governments, like individuals, may, in the
exercise of wise forecast, make liberal advances
and thereby reap large gains, while Withholding
would tend to poverty. This is especially true in
regard to such judicious expenditures tend to
educate and elevate the people, and increase the
facilities for industrial and commercial prosperity.
What desire especially to urge is, that we should
. carefully scrutiniZe every channel through which
the peoples money goes, reform eXcesses or abuses
in our expenses, stop all leaks in the treasury, il
any such there are. see that every appropriation is
wisely applied and secures the benefits intended
and that no useless expenditures arc made. With
your efforts in this direction, pledge my earnest
cooperation.
The reports of the State officers, including those
| of the officers of public institutions and of the
| Commissioners of various State interests, will be
| laid before you ut the earliest practicable moment
| | have only been able to examine part of them.
on are referred to these reports for statements OF
the condition and wants of the several officers and
| institutions included therein.
The law allows insurance companies the month
Of January within which to make their reports to
| the Insurance Commissioner. The report of that
officer, therefore, cannot be made until late in the
session.
The term of one of our United States Senators
will expire on the third day OF March, next Il
will become your duty to elect his successor II
will become your duty TO make an apportlonment
Of the State for Senators, and Members of the
House of Representatives and perhaps for Repre-
sentaiiyes to Congress.
Ile organization OF tne ten companies OF infant
ry authorized by law has been completed. These
organizations will tend to keep alive. to some cX-
tent, the military spirit of the people, and, being
largely made up OF men who have seen active
service in the field they believed to be sufficient
to meet any ordinary emergency. These compan-
les can readily be expanded into as many reg iments
in case of necessity.
The report OF the Adjutant General will contain
a statement of the expenditures for military pur-
poses during the last year and the military proper
ty in the possession Of the State.
H. call your attention especially to his suggestions
in regard to the preservation of the flags that were
carried by the Maine troops in the war, which are
now exposed in the rotunda of the capitol. These
flags should be carefully preserved as mementoe>
of the terrible struggle which perpetuated our Nh
tiona Union.
STATE PENSIONS.
The Adiutant Generals report will show the
transactions OF that office in regard to State Pen
sons. You will only give practical expression te
the wishes of your constituents by continuing sucl
aid to our disabled soldiers and the widows an(
orphans of those who lost their lives in the service
as will, with the national pension, and what the
can do themselves, prevent their becoming paupers
or otherwise subjects of charity. The Adjutan
General is of the opinion that the appropriation
for this purpose may be reduced from $4,000 tt
$50 900.
/ EDUCATIONAL.
If there is one thing above another that com
mends our institutions to the approval of the civil
lied world, it is our common school system by
which the means of education are brought within
the reach of the people Its creation was th'
crowning act OF the wise men who laid its founda
tions 1t is our surest guarantee Of national pros
perity and progress, and pledge of the increasing
grandeur of our republican form of government.
We are paying about three-tourths of million
dollars annually to support our common schools
which is about eight dollars per scholar counting
the average attendance. This sum is generously
and willingly paid by the taxpayers of the Statt
who only demand, as they have right to expect
that this large sum be honestly and wisely appro
priateu.