Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-07
DaiIv Nmnebse Sournal.
Governors Address.

a
sesenfatires -
In obedience to constitutional requirement
and the peoples summons, we have met tt
consider the condition and interests Of The
State, and to consecrate our best efforts tt
her service. 1t is fitting, that on the thresholo
of our duties, we acknowledge with devou
and reverent hearts the merciful Providence
that has vouchsafed to us, as a people, sc
many blessings, and humbly implore the guild
ance of Him whose wisdom is alone sufficient
to direct, and without whose blessing our la
bors cannot 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 defense of the country are treasured in
the grateful hearts of the loyal people. Their
sacred dust is being watched over and protect
ed by the assidaous care of the nations deep
est devotion. Their dependents, and those
who were MANNED or otherwise disabled, are
receiving the pledges of the peoples mex
pressible gratitude.
The determination of our people to allow
no reputation, but to pay honestly every
dollar of eur honest debts has been fully af-
frmed, resulting in the establishment OF
and opening the way for the exchange of our
outstanding bonds for others bearing lower
rate of interest The average price of gold
as compared 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 a deprecated and f1uctuating curren-
CT. More honesty and efficiency in the col
lection Of the revenues, and greater economy
in the administration of national affairs, have
enabled Congress within the last year to re-
duce the taxes collected from the people
eighty millions of dollars annually. We are
assured that further reduction will be made,
and that soon the tax on spirits and tobacco,
with the tariff on imported luxuries, and, on
such other articles as may be necessary to
protect our own industries, will be sufficient
to meet all our national obligations. Since
March LIST, 1869, the public debt has been re-
duced at the rate of one hundred millions an
nually, diminishing our annual interest ac-
count in twenty-five months nearly twelve
millions.
FINANCIAL.
The report of the State Treasurer will pre-.
sent detailed statement of the condition of
our finances.
Our receipts during the past year have been
"a 1924, 1912 our expenditures, SIS, 04l ,S46,-
81. Our public debt is SS,067 10000. Of this
debt 9840, 200 becomes due the present year,
1867 100000 of which is payable in gold or its
equivalent. To pay this we have the sinking
fund Of 1865, amounting to Sl,l7S,677.6l.
This will pay the debt becoming due, and
leave balance Of tho sinking fund in the
Treasury of about S2Sl ,677.6l, The sinking
fund of 1868 amounts to $92,04S.55. The
f,,v III, hall be- la fatx, incl Ind he
sinking funds, amount to S2,0l7, 043 .0S ex-
clxsive of sinking fund, s746,3l6.92.
The people of the State expect and will re-
quire at our hands the most rigid economy in
all our expenditures. Our taxes are necessa-
fily heavy, but should be made as light as pos
sible. No heavy burden should be added.
am not unmindful OF the truth of the proverb
that "There is, that scattereth and yet in
creaseth; and there is, that withholdeth more
than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty" Gov
crnments. like individuals, may, in the exer-
else of wise forecast, make liberal advances
and thereby reap large gains, while with
holding would tend to poverty. This is espec-
tally true in regard to such judicious expen-
ditures as tend to educate and elevate the
people, and increase the facilities for indus
trial and commercial prosperity. What de-
sire especially to urge is, that we should care
fully scrutinize every channel through which
the peoples money goes, reform excuses or
abuses in our expenses, stop all leaks in the
treasury, if any such there are, see that every
appropriation is wisely applied and secures
the benefits intended, and that no useless ex-
penditures are made. With your efforts in
this direction, pledge my earnest co-opera-
ton.
The reports Of the State officers, including
those of the officers of public institutions and
1f fhe aeto g Sfatn int
ests, will be laid before you at the earliest
practicable moment. have only been able to
examine a part of them. You are referred to
these reports for statements of the condition
and wants of the several offices and institu-
tons 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 Sena-
tors will expire on the third day of March,
next. 1t will become your duty to elect his
successor.
1t will also become your duty to make an
superintendent of the State fer Senators, and
Members of the House of Representatives
and perhaps for Representatives to Congress.
MILITARY.
The organization Of the ten companies OF
infantry authorized by law has been complet-
ed. These organizations will tend TO keep
alive, to some extent, the military spirit OF
the people, and, being largely made up of mer
who have seen active service in the field, they
are believed to be sufficient to meet any ordi
nary emergency. These companies can read
lily be expanded into as many regiments il
case of necessity.
The report of the Adjutant General viii
contain statement of the expenditures fol
military purposes during the last year, ant
the military property in the possession of th'
State.
call your attention especially TO his sug
gestions in regard to the preservation Of thu
flags that were carried by the Maine troop
in the war, which are now exposed in the 70
tunda of the capitol.
These flags should be carefully preserved
as mementoes Of the nations great conflict
and as constant reminders of the terrible strug
gle which perpetuated our Natio nal Union.
STATE PENSIONS.
The Adjutant Generals report will show
the transactions OF that Office in regard &c
State Pensions.
You will only give practical expression tc
mis- hoa nfy