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


BY our State Constitution, the legislative
power is vested in "a House of Represent
atives and Senate, each to have negative
on the other, and both to be styled the Legis.
lature of Maine" The Constitution also
makes it the duty of the Executive to "give
| the Legislature information of the condition
OF the State, and recommend to their consd-
| Grafton such measures as he may judge ex-
pedlent. We have been called by the voice
of the people to the discharge of the duties
incumbent on these two departments of our
State government
Earnestly desiring to discharge faithfully
and well all the duties and obligations de-
volving upon us, and invoking the wisdom
and guidance of the Supreme Law Giver, let
us address ourselves to the work before US.
| NATIONAL CONDITION.
We have occasion for mutual congratula-
ton in the general prosperity of the country,
and the peace and friendship that characterize
| our relations with all other nations. The
| questions that threatened the peace of this
| country and Great Britain one year ago are
being settled in a manner entirely honorable,
and, we trust, beneficial, to both nations.
These two nationalties have found "a more
| excellent way" for the settlement of national
| differences, and one more in accordance with
the spirit OF our advancing civilization than
through the bloody ordeal of war. This is
one OF the greatest triumphs of modern prog
ress. 1t establishes fundamental principles
Tor the settlement of disputed questions be-
tween nations. consistent with the progressive
Intelligence of the age, and cannot fail to
exert powerful influence towards maintain
| ing the peace of all civilized nations.
| The long continued but questionable meth
DDS through which subordinate officers OF the
government have been appointed are giving
place to system better calculated 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 en- spirits to-
bacco, railroads and banks: and soon the
tariff will only be collected on such luxuries
as the masses Of the people easily forego,
and on such other articles as the industries of
our own people and the protection of our own
laborers require us to produce or manufac
ture at home.
| FINANCIAL.
The report of the State Treasurer makes a
favorable exhibit of our finances. The re-
ceipts for the past year have been . 100. 1906 Il
| Disbursements 2.llJ,9ll II
The public debt Jan. ], II SS,067, ,900.0 90
Paid during the year $40, 900. 90
Debt January l, 1872, 1927 900. 90
Sinking fund in the Treasury 79S. 295. 90
Debt deducting sinking fund G,429, COS GO
Cash IN Treasury in excess of
immediate liabilities 155, ,295. 90
Debt deducting cash in Treasury G,274, ,31O. 90
Trust funds held by the State,
exclusive of sinking fund 1891 90
The Treasurer suggests that in conse-
quence of the large reduction of the debt
during the year 1871, thereby relieving the
State from the payment OF $50, 900 90 interest
| Iix, ft,A 4. al. .
| be reduced to four and three e-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 last Legislature was S2,O4l, 1894 2G
Amount OF warrants drawn 1855, ,332 50
Balance remaining in the Treasury Sc O6l "A
| The Treasurer has not been obliged to
avail himself of the authority granted by the
last Legislature to borrow money for tempo
rary purposes.
l cannot urge too strongly the closest scru-
tiny and the most rigid economy in all your ap-
preparations. The payment Of the interest on
/
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 our destitute SOL
diers. and the widows and orphans of such rs
died in the service, cannot be dispeu sed with.
! Upon this class of expenditures we have only
to see that no portion is misapplied. and that
all is used 10 the best possible advantage.
Bey yond this our expenditures should be con-
| fined to the closest limits consistent with the
discharge of our just obligations, and a wise
and economical care for our important inter-
ests.
| WAX CLAIMS.
Through the efficient aid Of the Adiutant
| General and my personal attention at the
Treasury department, SO ,93S 90 of our war
claims have been collected and paid into the
State Treasury. This is believed to be all
that can be allowed of this claim until Con-
gress shall legislate further on the subject.
MILITARY.
The report of the Adjutant General will
furnish a statement of the condition of our
military organizations and the expenditure
for military purposes during the year.
The report of the Inspector General, who
has carefully inspected nine of the ten COM
panies, represents them to be in good condi-
ton, evincing a thoroughness of organization
and accuracy of drill highly creditable to
themselves and the State.
Our State troops are composed of men a
majority 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 solderly bearing and remarkable accu-
racy of movement and drill on the occasion
of the opening of the European & North
American Railway and the visit of the Presi-
dent to the State, elected the warmest COM
mendation from high military officers from
abroad and expressions of just pride from the
citizens of the State.
STATE PENSIONS.
The sum of S26,S4l.2s 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 enabled the recipients to avoid desti-
tuition and want, or the necessity of applying
for public or private charity. The number OF
this class of our peoples gradually decreasing
but while we remember their sacrifices in