Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-01-11
Vol. XVIII. Whole No. 1856. No. 2.
GOVERNOR PERHAM,S MESSAGE.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of
representatives.
by our State constitution, the legisla-
i've power is vested in "A House Of Rep
resentatives and Senate, each to have
negative on the other, and both to be
styled the Legislature of Maine The
constitution also makes it the duty of the
Executive to give the Legislature infor-
nation OF the condition OF the State, and
recommend to their consideration such
measures as he may Judge expedient'
IA have been called by the voice of the
rorh's enoiht9 to the discharge OF the duties in
onr ST. ~ these two departments of
our State goN.-n,nent
"'9'9 uesn-,g TO discharge faith
fully and well all the ln,;es - ~
tons devolving upon us, mi ;nv.t;7'a,
the wisdom and guidance OF a., SnnraPs
Law Giyer, let us address oursel.a, o'.o W
the work before us.
NATIONAL CONDITION.
We have occasion for mutual congrat-
ulation in the general prosperity OF the
country, and the peace and friendship
that characterize our relations with all
other nations. The questions that threat
ened the peace OF this country and Great
Britain one year age are being settled in
manner entirely honorable, and we
trust beneficial to both nations. These two
natlonalitics have found IA more excel
lent way for the settlement of national
differences, and one more in accordance
with the spirit of our advancing civil
lization, than through the bloody ordeal
OF war. This Is one OF the greatest
triumphS OF modern progress 1t cs-
tabIishcs fundamental principles for the
settlement Of disputed questions be-
tween nations, consistent with the pro-
grossive intelligence OF the age, and can
not Tail TO exert Il powerful influence to-
ward maintaining the peace of all civil
lizcd nations.
GOVERNOR PERTAINS ADDRESS.
The long continued but questionable
methods by which subordinate officers
ot the Government have been appointed
are giving place TO system better cal
Cnlated To secure honesty and efficiency
in the civil service.
While taxes are being reduced, the
public debt Is rapidly diminishing. Our
national taxes are now chiefly levied on
spirits, tobacco, railroads and banks;
aud soon the tariff will only be collected
on such luXurics rs tho masses OF the
other articles as the industries OF our
own people and the protection of our
own laborcr7 require Us to produce or
manufacture at home.
FINANCIAL.
The report Of til" stttc Treasurer makes IA
yurlblr exhibit of finances.
The receipts Of the past year have
heen..--.. q .lsl lo96l
2,ll5 gIl II
The puhlie debt january /, ISL was. s167 800
Pad during the efr.................-. ssOOoo.oo
Debt January l. I.72.................. 7,s97 90
sinking fund IN the Treasury - $500
Debt lie luctlng sinking funI......... d,s2Y $500
Cash "A treasury III exces saJi unine-
dD.,c lab.Ates................. d. 1929 %
Debt IeIaetns cash IN rr,a,ury...... 6..7i,sloOo
Iru,tfund- neid by the state exsluslye
Of sinking Iunl.... .............. SO J3l %
Tie Treasurer suggests that ia con
sequeu c OF the large reduction ot the
debt during the year 1871, thereby re-
lelvlng the state from the pavInont of
so 100000 Interest annually, the State
tax for the wear 1872 can be reduced to
four and three-tOurthS mills per dollar
OF the State valuation.
The Governor and Council have en-
deavorcd 10 exercise in such cxpeudi-
lures a. have come within their urisd
ton, the strictcst economy consistent
with the public interest and justice to
the parties having claims against the
State.
fnc whole amount OF appropriations
made b. the Legislature was. 81 Otl .3q4 20
Amount OF warrants drawu....... 800, ~ -
Balance remaining in the Treasury .... 80; O6I 81
Tie Treasurer has not been Obliged 10
avail himself Of the authority granted
by the last Legislature to borrow mon
ey for temporary purposes.
J cannot urge too strongly the closest
scrutiny and the most rigid economy in
all Your appropriations. The payment
OF the interest on our State debt, and
ths principle a, ii become, due, must be
provided tor. Our expenditure, tor
educational purposes, tor the insane,
deaf, dumb and blind, tor the care aud
reformation of Juvenile offenders, Tor
our destitute soldiers and the widows
and orphans of such a. died in the SER
Vice, cannot be di-pcu.ol with. Upon
this class OF expenditures we have only
TO see that no portion j. mi>applied, and
that ali Is used To the best possible adj
vantage. Beyond this our expenditures
should BE- confined 10 the closest limit,
consistent with the discharge OF our
just obligations and wi-c and cconoln-
cal care Tor our Important Interests.
WAR CLAIMS.
Through the efficient aid oil the Adiu-
tant General, and my personal attention
at the Treasury Department, s., ,93S 50
Of our war claims have been collccteL
and paid into the State Treasury. This
j, believed 10 be all that can be allowed
OF this claim un.il Congress shall le2is-
late further Oh the subject.
MILITARY.
The report OF the Adjutamt General
will furnish "a statement OF the coudition
OF our military organizations and the
expenditure Tor military purposes dur
Ing the year.
The report Of the Inspector General
who has carefully Inspected nine OF the
ten companies, represents them to be in
good condition, evincing thorough
ness OF organization and accuracy of
drill highly creditable to themselves and
the State.
Our State troops are composed of mea
a majority OF whom have seen active
service in the field, with officer, distin-
guished for gallantry, hign soldierlv at
talnments, and, many of them, for high
rank in the late war. Their soldlerlv
bearing and remarkable accuracy OF
! movement and drill on the occasion OF
the OCCASION OF the opening OF the Eu-
ropean n North American Railway, and
the visiI OF the President 10 the State,
eiIclted tue warInest colnmendation
from high military officers from abroad,
and expressions of just pride from the
| citizens OF the State.
STATE PENSIONS.
| The sum Of S26 6,S4l .2S has been allow
ed for Pensions. This has been distrib.
uted i'll 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