The Portland daily press., 1872-01-05
THE PRESS.
FRIDAY MORNING, JAN. 5, 1872.
The Governors Address.


There is but one unfavorable criticism that
can justly be made with respect to Governor
Perham's excellent Address. In any crisis less
dangerous than the present it would be I'M
necessary to call attention to the undue eau
ton and reserve exhibited in those paragraphs
that treat of the three most important topics
which claim the attention of the Legislature
railroads, manufactures and schools. 1t is
unbecoming in the chief executive officer of
State to render himself conspicuous by his
attachment to hobbies or his championship of
special schemes. But these scruples should
not have undue weight, and when the honor
or safety of the State are in peril, no one
would deny the appropriateness Of specific
suggestions from the Governor. Good
square English" expressing unambiguous
opinions, is then demanded, instead of easy
generalties expressed in eupheristic phrase.
We have entire confidence in Governor Per-
hams integrity, land we believe that his notions
of State policy are sound, but he is too much
under the influence of that false delicacy that
prevents his speaking out The Legislature
Oo6ho w w WIN LII pam WoAuo WAASoASA WIN
Governor thinks that the State should put
more of its little means into railroads, after
trying the experiment once with such incon-
ceivably disastrous, shameful and every way
humiliating results. 1t ought to be told
whether the Governor believes that railroad
corporations which once applied to the Legis-
lature for authority to consolidate, and, on
being refused such authority, proceeded at
once to carry their scheme into effect in de-
fiance Of the law and the will of the people,
should now receive favorable consideration
when renewing their application. 1t ought
to be told, not that the Governor favors
ga cautious but wise and liberap' policy with
respect to manufactures, for the matter has
now taken a definite shape, but whether
towns ought to raise money by taxation to
subsidize manufactures. And especially on
the school question is there demand for per-
feet frankness and precision. Where is the
man to be found who will dispute Governor
Perham's eminently wise, just and states
manlike speculative opinions about education
He is like the hypothetical parsonage COM
AAAOAAy PACoehhOu NY tlC occupants VI pehpioS
to deny ''the exceeding sinfulness of sin"
But there is question whether the present
method Of supervision shall be continued or
whether Marcellus Emery with his disciples
aided by Republicans, who sympathize with
them in this particular, shall be permitted to
overthrow it. There is question of mill
tax" There is question of compulsory at
tendance. About these things men differ,
and the Governor of Maine could incur no
risk in taking position Enthusiastically favora-
BILE to those who suggest practical methods OF
school reform.
But all the faults of Governor Perham's
Address are the negative ones we have men,
toned. 1t contains not word to which the
most bitter partizan could reasonably object.
In common with majority of the temper
ance men of the State the Governor is in
clined to favor clothing the sherifs with such
additional powers as will make State police
unnecessary. His recommendations with ref
erence to prison reform, the proposed indus
trial school for girls, social and industrial
statistics and special legislation are admirable.
AAASAS VIII PioUUDAy NC iibolC uicpOoiblOh w
dissent from his recommendations touching
the Swedish immigrants, and none at all to
the proposition that lands be furnished to our
own citizens on the same terms as they are
given to the Scandinavians. It will be sur
prising if the renewed suggestion of biennial
elections and sessions of the Legislature does
not this time have an appropriate effect. As
whole, Governor Perham's Address is care
fully written, exhibits its authors updoubted
good to excellent advantage and is one
more proof that the people of Maine have
done well in re-electing him to the position
that he holds. Maine has had few Governors
who have given SO few occasion for criticism
or fault-inding. and his popularity has in
creased steadily since he has held his present
Office