Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-20
CONNECTICUT.

The Inaugural Address of Governor Jewell
shows the condition of affairs i'll Connecticut
and makes some interesting suggestions and
recommendations. The most interesting SUBJ
jects treated of in the Message are the follow
ing. His remarks upon preserving the purity
of the ballot and in relation to divorce will be
particularly noticed.
"We enter upon our duties under the most
favorable circumstances. Our country is en-
joying an uninterrupted season of peace and
prosperity. Our mercantile, manufacturing
and agricultural interests are fourishing and
our financial condition is tending steadily
toward that most desirable result, the resump-
ton of specie payment. The national admin
istration has made good its promise to hon
estly collect the revenue and apply it to the
extinguishment of the public debt, having re-
duced the debt more than $500, 000, 900 in a
little over two years. BY reference to the re-
port of the State Treasurer, it would seem
that our financial condition is very encourag
ing. The total Indebtedness of the State at
the commencement of the present fiscal year,
April less cash on hand, was So, S04 ,6l0 93,
against $500, 304.95 at the same time last
year, showing reduction of the debt for the
year of $455, G04.02, against $493, $3.50 the
previous year. The entire revenues for the
wear from all sources was 81 1927 ,9S3.O9, of
which $645, 1869 came from the two-mill
tax, 1872 ,692. Is from savings banks, $3l2,-
254.6O from railroad corporations, Sl7l ,969.-
20 from mutual insurance companies for the
past year, and $257, 1853 0S for previous years,
S73, $50 came from the Communication tax, $780,
G2S. 70 from non. resident stock, and the bal
ance from miscellaneous sources. The total
disbursements for the year were 81, 81 ,569.oS.
The sum of $3.50, 900 was paid on the princi-
pal of the public debt, and S438, O45.05 for in
terest, $40 800 for salaries. ST., 40f. 81 for
expenses Of the General Assembly, $l70,-
652.72 for judicial, reform school, and kin
dred expenses, $S,567.S3 for the Board of
Education, S64, 4S9.0l for public buildings
and benevolent institutions, and SAP, 7l7.03
for the maintenance Of the orphan children of
soldiers. desire to call the attention of the
General Assembly to the fact that while our
legal rate of interest is but six per cent very
little money is in fact loaned at that rate, ex-
cept from the school fund. Millions of dollars
annually leave this State, not so puch for a
higher market as for market where a higher
rate is legalized. Such a state of things ap-
pears to be detrimental to our best interests.
/ recommend that the earnings Of any person
TO the extent of $50 be exempt from attach
ment for debt. Most of our manufacturers
pay on, as IL II terneu, monthly, ana as the
average monthly wages of laborers is perhaps
about this amount, an exemption OF it would
in many cases of sick or unfortunate work
men, prevent great distress to their families
and much annoyance to their employers. l
would suggest to your serious consideration
whether additional legislationis not necessary
for the protection Of the ballot in this State.
Not only should bribery and coercion be pre-
vented in the casting Of ballots, but the count
ing should be safe and accurate. and the num-
Der Of votes polled and declared shonld cor
respond With the names checked on the list.
Our divorce laws unless changed bid fair TO
bring u into disrepute. They are notorious
" loose. more SO than those OF any other
State except Indiana and Illinois In the
,esr 1870 there were in this State 40s divorces
md ST. marriages, q ratio Of about one to
welve, which has been about the proportion
Or several years.