The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-05

and efficiency in the civil service
While taxes are being reduced, the public
debt is rapidly din i:iishing. Our national taxes
are now chiefly levied ON spirits, tobacco. rail-
roads and banks; and soon the tariff will only
be collected on such other luxuries as the mass
es OF the people can easily forego, and on such
other articles as the industries of our own peo-
pie and the protection of our own laborers re-
qulre us to produce or manufacture at home
FINANCIAL.
The report of the State Treasurer makes fayora
Die exhibit OF our finances The receipts for the past
year have BEEN s., ,199, ,109 81
Disbursements. s.................. 2115y oil 81
The public debt Jan. l. 1871 .... sO67 800 90
Paid during the year. ar................. $4,000 90
Debt Jan. l, 1872. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1927 800 90
Sinking fund in the Treasury. ........ 79S 295 90
Debt deducting sinking fund. ......... 6429 sos 90
Cash in Treasury in excess of immediate
DeDt deduetlng cash in Treasury. 6,274,3l0 90
OF SINKING Iund.......... 847 ,931 90
The Treasurer suggests that in consequence
OF the large reduction of the debt during the
year 1871, thereby relieving the State from the
payment OF $50,OO0 90 interest annually, the
State tax for the year 1872 can be reduced to
four and three-fourths mills per dollar of the
State valuation
The Governor and Council have endeavored
to exercise, in such expenditures as have come
within their jurisdiction, the strictest economy
consistent with the public interest and Justice
to the parties having claims against the State
The whole amount of appropriations made by the
iass s was. S9i 70
Amount OF warrants drawn. .......... 1,955,332 50
Balance remaining in the Treasury. Ss,O61 "A
The Treasurer has not been obliged to avail
himself of the authority granted by the last
Legislature to borrow money for temporary
purposes.
1 cannot urge too strongly the closest scruti-
ny and the most rigid economy in all your ap-
preparations. The payment of the interest ON
our State debt and the principal as it becomes
due must be provided for. Our expenditures
for educational purposes, for the insane, deaf,
dumb and blind, for the care and reformation
of Juvenile offenders, for destitute soldiers,
and the widows and orphans of such as died in
the service, cannot be dispensed with. Upon
this class of expenditures we have only to see
that no portion is misapplied, and that all is
used to the best possible advantage. Beyond
this our expenditures should be confined to the
closest limits consistent with the discharge of
our just obligations and a wise and economical
care for our important interests.
WAR CLAIMS.
Through the efficient aid of the Adjutant
General and my personal attention at the
Treasury department; S3,93S.93 of our war
State Treasury. This is believed to be all that
can be allowed of this claim until Congress
shall legislate further on the subject.
MILITARY.
The report of the Adjutant General will fur
nish a statement of the condition of our mill
tary organization and the expenditure for mill
tary purposes during the year.
The report of the Inspector General, who has
carefully inspected nine of the ten companies,
represents them to be in good condition, evinc-
ing ti,oreuqhness of organization ssrrd aoo...a
cy OF drill highly creditaDle to themselves and
the State.
Our State troops are composed of men ma
jority of whom have seen active service in the
field, with officers distinguished for gallantry,
high soldierly attainments, and many of them
for high rank in the late war. Their soldierly
bearing and remarkable accuracy of movement
and drill on the occasion of the opening of the
European & North American Railway and the
visit of the President to the State, ELECTED the
warmest commendation from high military Of
ficefs from abroad and expressions of just pride
from the citizens of the State.
STATE PENSIONS.
The sum of $26,S41 % has been allowed for
Pensions. This has been distributed in small
sums among such of our disabled soldiers and
the dependents of those who lost their lives in
the service as are unable by their own efforts
and resources to obtain living, and has en-
abled the recipients to avoid destitution and
want, or the necessity of applying for public or
private charity. The number of this class of
our people is gradually decreasing; but, while
we remember their sacrifices in their countrys
cause and in our behalf, we shall cheerfully and
gladly contribute TO their necessities.
EDUCATION,
The report of the State Superintendent of
Schools exhibits the general condition of our
public schools. The facts presented indicate
an increasing interest in this subject, and that
through the Normal Schools Teachers Insti-
tutes and other instrumentalties, our teachers
are becoming moro efficient and our schools
more profitable.
Our hopes for the perpetuity of good govern
mant dappnd the inta1IiOapca of ba
pie. The education of the masses is our surest
safeguard against the Vaccinations of design
ing and wicked men. An educated person may
become corruDt, but he will seek to accomplish
his unholy purposes through the ignorance of
others. An ignorant community furnishes a
favorable field for impostors and demagogues
1t is a lamentable fact that, in many instances,
the most corrupt officials living in open crime
have been able to maintain their ascendancy
through the ignorance of their constituents.
You will, l trust, see that our educational in
stitutions are not neglected.
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The Normal Schools at Pennington and Cas-
tine are doing an excellent work. Young la
dies and gentlemen, many of whom would not
be able to pursue a course of study elsewhere,
are here prepared to be of great benefit to the
State as teachers, while they lay the best possi-
BILE foundation for their own success in life.
Two hundred and sixty-four graduates of these
schools have taught in our schools the past year,
besides a laIge number who have not yet grad
uated.
NORMAL SCHOOL BUILDING AT CAsTINE.
The Legislature at its last session appropria-
ted fifteen thousand dollars for the purchase
or erection of suitable building for the East
ern Normal School at Castine, to be expended
under the direction of the Governor and COun-
Gil. There being no suitable building that could
be purchased, plans and specifications were pre-
pared and proposals invited for the construc-
off hr1t1I
work. The lowest bid was $4,000; others
ranged from $27, 900 to $4,000.
As the lowest bid was 81 500 more than the
and as the Governor and Coun-
Gil did not consider themselves authorized to
commence a building that would cost more
than the sum placed at their disposal, neither
of the bids were accepted Subsequently an
other plan for a cheaper building. which it is
believed will answer the purpose very well, was
made, and proposition by responsible party
was received to construct the building for sew
enteen thousand five hundred dollars This is
probably the lowest sum for which suitable
building can be obtained. therefore recon-
mend an appropriation of at least ST., 800 for
the erection of Normal School building in
Castine, with a sufficient additional sum for
furniture and provisions for heating 1t will
be necessary to have this building completed
and ready for occupation on the first of Au-
gust next. therefore invite your early atten-
tion to the subject so that the contract may be
made in time for the contractor to get the ma
terial together and be ready to commence the
work in the early spring.
STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND ME-
CHANIC ARTS
The State Callege of Agriculture and Me-
chanic arts has suffered many embarrassments
incidental to the infancy of such institutions,
but it now appears to have passed it's darkest
days. Under the efficient management of the
new President, its friends entertain no doubt of
its success This is free college, and fitting
supplement to our free school system. Young
men are here given an opportunity to prepare
for all the business, industrial and some of the
professional pursuits of life Study and labor,
science and practice are brought together, and
the means of intellectual and physical edu-
cation afforded.
The examinations and other exercises are
highly creditable to the faculty and students,
evincing intellectual vigor and thoroughness
that would do credit to any institution of the
kind. We may now reasonably indulge the
hope that the brightest light of science, prac-
tically applied, will be shed from this institu-
ton, to guide the farmer, the mechanic and ar
tizan in their several callings.
The interest of the sum invested is believed