Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-05

: try. or three hundred and ten girls wht
have been discharged from the Industrial
School for girls in Lancaster, Massachusetts,
In the last ten years, whose characters are
known, two hundred and sixty are living hon
estly and respectfully. The current of their
lives has been changed, and, instead OF being
pests in society, they have learned to support
themselves respectfully; and many OF them
have charge of homes, which they have
learned in the school, to make comfortable and
happy.
| large appropriation to be expended in
building is not required. The family system
for such girls is undoubtedly the best. Build
ings, with sufficient grounds, that will accom-
nodate from fifteen to twenty five persons,
will be sufficient for the present, and others
can be added as occasion may require. 1t is
hoped that the report of the Commissioners
will be accompanied with a proposition to
furnish suitable buildings for the school. If,
however, this should not be done, / crust the
expense Of few thousand dollars for build
ings near one of our large cities, where the
property would sell at any time in the future.
for nearly or quite the cost will not prevent
the establishment Of an institution greatly
needed.
INSANE HOSPITAL.
The report OF the Trustees of the Insane
| Hospital refers to the abuses under the stat
utes providing for part payment OF board, by
| the State, of persons in INDECENT circumstances.
IL is clear that many persons IN the hospital
receive this aid who are not by the statutes
entitled to it. Some legislation may be re-
quired to correct this practice.
The Trustees call attention to the probabil-
ity that within one or two years, the hospital
will be filled to its utmost capacity, and sug-
At k, IL. nrNr / do
for additional accommodations. The question
whether another hosp building shall be com
menced on the same farm, to be under the
same general supervision, or be located In
some other portion of the State, must engage
the attention Of the legislature at an carly day.
STATE PRISON.
The report of the Warden Of the States
Prison makes favorable exhibit of the tiuan-
ces of the institution. showing that the income
of the prison has exceeded the expenses in
the sum of 1891 CA. The prison appears
to be under excellent management.
REFORM SCHOOL.
i The last legislature passed resolve au-
thorizing the Governor and council ito inquire
into the condition of the inmates of the re-
form school, and make such provision for them
as may be necessary for their comfort, in food,
drink clothing, beds and bedding; and also
to the hours of labor to be performed by them,
and the hours to be spent for educational pur-
poses, and the hours for rest and sleep; and
| to require the superintendent of said school
to conform to such rules and regulations as
they may direct"
, In accordance with this resolve the Gov
ernor and Council visited the Reform School
and made n very careful examination into all
the management of the institution and made
such suggestions in regard 10 greater variety in
the food, additional bedding, and hours for rest
and sleep as were deemed proper. The
changes suggested have been made. The
building is now heated By steam, which
will, it is believed, remedy any defect that
may have existed IN regard to warming the
halls and sleeping apartments. The re-
port of the Superintendent and Trustees will
furnish other important facts in regard to the
institution.
CONGRESSIONAL APPoRTIoNMEHr.
/. will become your duty to make an appor
tionment of the State for five representatives
in Congress.
, FUNDS OF THE PESoBsCor INDIANS.
The rents of the shores of the islands
, owned by the PenobscotI Indians, at Oldtown,
have increased to about S., 900 annually.
There is no law providing for the collection
and disposition of the money. | recon-
mend that it be made the duty of the Indian
Agent to deposit ell leases of these shores
with the State Treasurer, whose duty it shall
be to collect the money as il becomes due and
. place il to the credit of the Indian Fund.
SPECIAL LEGISLATION.
The large number of private and special
acts compared with the public laws of past
Legislatures in this State canno, fail to at
tract your attention. This kind of legislation
is often characterized by want of harmony
and sometimes by inconsistency, not credita-
BILE to the law makers nor just to the parties
, interested, and should as far as possible be
, discouraged. If the Legislature should de-
cline to consider subjects presented for pri-
vate legislation that are already provided for
by the general statutes, much of this legsla-
ton would be avoided. 1t may be advisable
to extend the provisions Of the general law
; SO as to reduce still further the occasion for
special legislation.
, THE OTHER REPORTS.
t The report Of the Attorney General, Sec
rotary of the Board of Agriculture. Insur-
ance Commissioner, Bank Examiner, State
Librarian and Fish Commissioner, containing
valuable information and important sugges-
lions, will be laid before you.
CONCLUSION.
: trust that your discussions and delibera-
tons will lead to wise and Harmonious con-
illusions, and that your legislation will be
characterized by its adaptation to the wants
of the people and the welfare of the State.
SIDNEY PERHAM.
Augusta, January l, 1872.