The Portland daily press., 1872-01-05


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 inindigent circumstances.
1t Is clear that many persons in the hospital
receive this aid who are not by the statutes en-
titled to it. Some legislation may be required
to correct this practice.
The Trustees call attention to the probabili-
ty that within one or two years, the hospital
will be filled to its utmost capacity. and sug-
gest that early measures be takeu to provide for
additional Accommodations. The question wheth-
er another hospital building shall be COM
menced on the same farm, to be under the same
genera! supervision, or be located in some 9TH
er portion of the Ssate, must engage the atten-
tlon OF the legislature at an early day.
STATE PRISON.
The report of the Warden of the States Pris-
on makes favorable exhibit of the finances
OF the institution, showing that the income of
the prison has exceeded the expenses in the
sum of &c. 91 g. The prison appears to be un-
der excellent management.
REFORM SCHOOL
Inc last Legislature passed resolve authoriz-
ing the Governor and council ''to inquire into
the condition of the inmates of the reform
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,
ana 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 thew
may direct"
Iu accordance with this resolve the Governor
and Council visited the Reform School and
made very careful examination into all the
management of the institution and made such
suggestions in regard to 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 apart
ments. The report of the Superintendent and
trustees Will furnish other important facts in
regard to the institution
CONGRESSIONAL APPoRTIoNMENT.
1t Will become your duty to make an appor-
uonment OF the State for five representatives
in Congress
FUNDS OF THE PENOBsCoT INDIANS
The rents of the shores of the islands owned
by the Penobscot Indians at Oldtown have in
creased to about So, 900 annually. There is no
law providing for the collection and disposition
OF the money. L recommend that it be made
the duty OF the Indian Agent to deposit all
leases OF these shores with the State Treasurer.
whose duty it shall be to collect the money as
it becomes due and place it to the credit of the
Indian fund.
= SPECIAL LEGISLATION
The large number of special and private acts
compared with the public laws of past Legsla-
lures in this State cannot fail to attract your
attention. This kind of legislation is often
characterized by want of harmony and some
times by Inconsistency, not credtable to the
law makers nor just to the parties interested,
and should as far as possible be discouraged If
the Legislature should decline to consider SUBJ