Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-09


ishing the cost of the militia in this way, and 1t
having been decided not to reduce the force refer
to II now only to ask you TO consider the matter be-
fore making other changes in the system.
shall transmit for your information the report of
the surgeon general detailing the operations of his
department. The services rendered the soldiers of
the late war by this faithful officer and his assist
ants deserve high commentator. This state alone
extends peOuniary aid TO disabled soldiers and the
families of the slain. More than six hundred thou
sand dollars still paid annually for their relief
and while this method Is continued, the work of
| TINS department must be performed in systematic
manner, or the commonwealth will be liable to
much loss from frauds practiced by parties who
| ever ready to live on the public bounty. On the
other hand deserving persons will suffer from the
| want of infol nation and assistance.
Many applications for pension and bounty are
now pending, which have been placed in the of
this department, and if they fall into the hands of
dishonest claim agents the soldiers will lose large
| part of the amount really due them, From motives
of humanity, as well as justice to those who have
sacrificed so much this work should be continued;
and it is my opinion that the system the best that
can be adopted to relieve these persons who deserve
| so much from the country.
INTOXICATING LIQUORS.
For nearly twenty years, with single eXcep-
ton, the prohibitory law so called has been on the
statute book. 1t has been changed, more orless at
nearly every session Of the legislature, to meet the
demands Of public opinion. Notwithstanding these
changes it would appear that the sentiment of the
state was unqnalihedly in favor of the principle of
the law, for its enforcement to-day is general
and quite stringent as at any former period and
at the time there is little opposition expressed
except by those who are amenable to the faw. In
no other way restriction the sale OF intoxi-
eating drinks be made effectua ct least no other
way has as yet been discovered True, many, rely
ing too much on the power of law to stem the tide
of intemperance, have become discouraged because
the desired results have not yet been attained They
have censured the authorities for supposed unfaith
fulness not having acquainted themselves with the
practical obstacles to rigid enforcement of the
| law. Those engaged in the traffic have not been
idle, but have brought every possible influence to
bear upon the public in the hope of creating an inn
preston that nolaw could be executed. With all
these embarrassments, there is no doubt that the
1op QfiaR fiNva hot ntun No
state than similar enactments for the restriction of
the sale of intoxicating drinks in other states of
the Union Under 1t thousands of dram-shops are
suppressed and the whole traffic is curtaied. This
is manifest to any one who visits communities
where there is such law, examines the reports
of the state constable and the records of the courts.
That the whole dTam-shop system is considered
nuisance and curse is abundantly attested by the
legislation of two hundred years The daily expe-
rience of every police officer shows it to be the
great nursery of vice, poverty and crime. The peo-
pie of the state have manifested their purpose, re-
peatedly, to do away with the system, especially in
regard to the sale of sprituous Intoxicating liquors;
but they have notbeen so unanimous in their oppo-
sition to the sale of malt liquors.
The last legislature repeatedly, by nearly unani-
nous vote, declared its opinion to be that some
modification OF the law of 1869 was expedient,
Finally, an act passed referring the matter to
the people. There was attempt to legalize the
sale of sprituous liquors, but it seemed 10 be
coded that public opinion was well settled in regard
to them.
As | understand the law no principle is Yielded
The public, including the friends OF temperance,
were ulNlueu upon the question. NO one knew the
real opinion OF the people; the legislature referred
the matter TO them; and l could not see the
propriety of Withholding my signature TO the act.
Scion when asked If he had made the best laws for
the state, replied mo but the best that the people
will bear" In this country the people are the law
makers through their representatives and to secure
any law the people have but to signify their will
and it will be obeyed believe the people will desire
to improve this law at least far suppress dram
shops of every kind. This seems to be their opin-
ion expressed by their votes taken in September
which show that of lao cities and towns voting 119
decided to prohibit the sale.
1t is believed that if local meetings had been
more generally held, the vote would have been
more decisive, and the moral effects of such action
by the people would have greatly deferred offend
ers against the law from pursuing their business.
Although there is a seeming indifference to the
great evil of intemperance; although the most en-
thusiastic friends of Temperance often disheart
ened by the obstacles to be overcome, still there is
constant discussion TO the best methods of sup
pressing 1t, and there steady advance in the gem
eral sentiment that the Intoxicating liquors
as a beverage is not to be defended; but on the
contrary, that the public morals and the public in
terests, will be greatly subserved when the custom
shall have been abandoned. Surely. every philan-
thropist every lover of his country every political
economist, must feel called upon to aid by exam
pie as well as by precept, in the contamination of
reform upon which the highest interests of the
state so greatly depend.
AsYLUMs FOR INEBRIATEs
shall transmit to you at an early day, the able
report of the commissioners on inebriate asylums
which cannot fail to be read with much interest.
For long time efforts have been made to establish
to the restraint and reclamation of persons SELL
fenced to prison for drunkenness. They
OF constant sorrow to their friends, and a burden
to the community when free. Many of them, when
sober, are peaceful and industrious, doing what
they can for the comfort and support of their ami-
lies The appetite for stimuants has been INDUCED
by them SO long that the ordinary periods of I'M
prisOnment little else than to make the desire
uncomfortable, when they are again brought into
places of temptation. by longer term of restraint
it is hoped cure may be effected their physical
systems will have been improved their moral pow
ers gradually strengthened and thus they will be-
come enabled to overcome their habits.
The commission have given much attention to
this part of the subject submitted to them and their
conclusions cannot fail deeply to interest the public
and justify decided action by the legislature. 1t is
repugnant to our humanity, if not to our sense of
justice, to incarcerate these with professional
and hardened felons, and they should suffer this
wrong no longer The commission recommend the
incorporation of an institution for the medical treat
ment of inebrates who directly place themselves
voluntarily under restraint, placed in the in
stttution in the same manner that insane persons
now are in asylums They also concur in the
guest OF the directors of the Washingtonian home
for an appropriation by the state of the of fifty
thousand dollars on condition that like sum is
given by individuals for the purposes of the institute
ton This home has been very useful in years past
i'll saving many men who appeared TO be lost to
themselves and the world, and its means should be
increased that 1t may keep pace with the demands
made uponit. 1t is commended to your favorable
consideration.
THE STATE POLICE.
1t Will be seen from the report of the constable of
the commonwealth that while the special duties de-
volving upon his force by law have been faithfully
performed, the deputies have been exceedingly use
full as general police for the preservation of order
on important occasions as well as for the detection
and prevention of ordinary crimes
The necessity of this force Is apparent every
year. To rely only upon the police of the several
municipalities for the arrest of even common Of
Tenders would weaken the administration Of law.
The fact that there central force accustomed to
dealing with turbulent and disOrdery persons, is in
itself check upon the disposition of offenders to
resist other officers of the law In no year have the
OF the police been suCl constant rpQlIis-
ton by the authorities of cities and towns where
there were to be large gatherings, as in the past.
The efficiency and good conduct of the force on all
these occasions have been most noticeable and have
elected high praise from persons hitherto disposed
to question the necessity of its existence.
The last legislature so for reduced the apprOpria-
ton that nearly onehalf of the deputies had TO be
discharged: This has proportionally diminished
the value of the abors of the force, and the mpoli-
cy of this movement is seen in the fact that con-
slant calls have been made by the people of many
of our larger towns for the reappointment of the
discharged officers in their respective localities, in
order that they may be protected in their persons
and property. The constable of the commonwealth
has collected and paid into the treasures of the
eral counties sixty thousand dollars than the
whole expense incurred in his office.
The cost to the people, then, would seem to be no
reason why the appropriation should be reduced.
1t is far better to prevent crime than to arrest and
punish criminals, who if they understand that
there is force, ever the alert, fully competent
to deal with them, are deferred, if resident here,
from breaches of the law; and those lliying else
where avoid state where their characters are
tected and punished if they commit crimes. 1t
must be apparent that the best interests of the
munity will be promoted by larger appropriation,
that the number of cOnstables may be increased.
AGRICULTURE.
The agriculture of the state has suffered from the
peculiarities of the season. TO greater extent, per-
haps, than any other interest A winter of singular
mildness, followed by spring remarkably early
and propitious, gave promise of fruitful harvest,
but heated term succeeded, eliminating in a
drought of Unprecedented severity, which seriously
affected the crops and caused great loss and ncon-
venience in all parts of the state. The aggregate
yield of farm products, with the exception of fruit
has therefore been less than usual.
The live stock interest of the state especially that
connected with the dairy, has been increasing in
extent and importance during the last few years.
and tine well-belng of the community is intimate
ly connected with and dependent upon it, that the
health of the animals which we rely for dairy
products is a matter Of great public concern. Con-
tagioGs diseases among cattle therefore, have oc-
eupied the attention of all civilized governments.
The energy and decision with which the state
authorities eXtirpated highly contagious cattle
disease, imported into this state ten years ago.
ELECTED the highest concentrations throughout the
country, and indeed it may be said throughout the
civilized world for the methods adopted, the
acts of the legislature and the reports the cattle
nfqain roIo 10 hoan rIt