Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-01-13

oil these immigrants as would prefer otiei
pursuit,, would lind, in other parts ot the
State desirable employment and good
compensation. Such laborcrS, male and
female are greatly needed. especially al
household servants, for whom there Is
great demand.
Many OF these people are excellent me-
cbanics, others excel as family servants.
Their religion, education, general intelli'
gencc and industrious habits. with our
need OF their services, will create mutual
friendship and sympathy between them
and our people wherever in the State
they NAV 20 l therefore suggest that
whatever plan you adopt TO aid immigra'
ton in the future it DC not confined To-
immigrants who prefer agricultural pur-
suits, but, that il include those who desire
to engage in other employments in any
part of the State. Other States are add
ing largely TO theirpopulation and wealth
by their Immigration efforts | see no
reason why we may not do the same.
Trusting that YOU will deem il wise TO
continue this work in some economical
way, | commend the recommendations of
the Commissioner with these brief sug
gestions To- Your early consideration.
OUR SHIPPING INTERESTS.
Iregret TO say that the burdens which
The Wal and the legislation incident there
to placed upon our shipping interests.
have not been removed. II is extremely
humilnlirg to see the business formerly
carried on under om flag, monopolized
by, aud bearing the flag of the nation
that contributed the most, in our time OF
trouble. 20 sweep our commerce from
the ocean. Maine may be expected 10
feel somewhat intensely, and allowed tn
speak with some carneStncsS on this
subject. because she has very much Mt
stake. She has in some years OF the past
furnished liity per cent. at all tho scago-
ing vessels OF the coustry. In the build
ing aud sailing ut vessels, employment
ha, been given To twenty thousand and
Suppor 10 one hundred thousand of her
CluZeuS.
Ii this was subject in which any por-
ton of the country or Government had
adverse interests. the opposition it re-
cei,eS might reasonably DO expected.
Bat the rcliel we ask, while it would help
us. and Others immediately Interested,
would through increase Oi business. con
tribute TO the prosperity OF the whole
country, aud add 10 the revenue OF the
Government UNNECESSARILY more than
would bc lost. by interfering these M
tercsts. and allowing them to fulfill their
important mission.
No man who remembers the efficient
aid received from our shipyards and
merchant marine in furnishing vessels
and experienced scamcn Tor the creation
Of a navy in the beginning OF the war.
can fail TO appreciate the Importance OF
this subject To the national defence. IL Is
vastly cheaper and better every way To
encourage aud sustain interests, which,
in addition To their means oi prosperity IN
time OF peace will lurniSh = navy IN time
OF war, than TO maintain permanently
such naval force rs would otherwise be
required There is no adequate reason
for continuing this unflieud'y legislation,
which i p1ralyzing business ot such I'M
poItaucc.
earnestly hope Congress will at an
early day remove the burdens of which
we complain This would allow our
ships and ouc commerce 10 compete
under more favorable circumstances. with
those OF other nations in the markets at
the world let this he done. and we
may reasonably hope that the sounds OF
busy industry will soon be heard in our
ship wards that the sails ot our commerce
will again be- allowed 10 whlten every sea.
and that The sight OF oul flag viii gladden.
the heArts of our couutrymen in all lands.
BIENNIAL ELECTIONS AND SESSIONS or THE
LEGISLATURE.
Ny predecessor, in one OF his addresses
To the Legislature called attention TO the
subject of biennial elections OF State
oilicers and sessions of the Legislature.
The suggestion appears To me timely,
and worthy oi careful consideration. Ii
\ saving Of forty or fifty thousand dollars,
which i about the cost CG a session ol the
can be made to the tax pay
crS of the State every two years, bcSideS
an important reduction in time and eX-
penSeS incident To the elections without
serious dctrimcnt 10 other interests, II
should he done. \ revision at tie stat
u,eS has Just been made. They should
under 20 NO useless changes. The history
Of the State and country show that the
tendency i To- too much legislation.
am ct the opinion that biennial sessions
won d furnish ample opportunity Tor All
the /, Ii>IatiOr the interest, ot the people
and The State would require.
CHANGE OF THE DAY FOR INF ANNUAL
ELECTION.
II YOU should deem the subject Just re-
fcrred to ot sufficient Importance 10 sub
nit To the people The question oi such
amendment 10 the constitution IS the
change would require. suggest that you
submit with it The question at changing
the day oil The annual elections to the
TUESDAY alter the inst Monday in Noyem
Ter. being the day fixed by law Tor the
Presidential Election. There are some
advantages to be gained by
The change. Every tour years II would
save the expense OF one election, a the
Presidential and State election would &C.
cur on the same day. 1t would be mcre
favorable To n iair expression ot the wish
Is ol the people The present time OF cleo
ton mikes il necessary To hold the prelim-
mary cacuses and conventions ut "A time
when i'm large part ut the State, the poo
pie employed in agricultural pursuits are
more bu>iy engaged than in any other
part Dl the year. As parties are now
organized. the character OF our public
servants is generally determined by these
primary meetings. Unless there is unu
suai interest in the nominations many OF
the most Intelligent voters who arc buSiiy
engaged. stay ut home. This makes 1t
easy for lew men, who may have prt
waite or other interests adverse To the pub
lie good 10 control the nominations, and
il in The majority party, the elections. ]
submit whether the interests OF the State
will not he better Subserved by holding