Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-29
CLOSING THE YEAR AND TERN.

CLOSING THE YEAR AND TERN.
Governor Perham and the Executive
Council are about closing up the matters
connected with the State administration
the past year. The performance of these
duties will substantially end also the SER
vices of Governor Perham as the Chief
Executive, he having completed a term OF
three years in the gubernatorial office.
It is gratifying to know that careful
examinations have been made in regard to
the management of our various public in
stitutions, and that they have been found
with slight exceptions in good condition.
The Governor and his Council have spared
no pains to acquaint themselves with the
actual facts, looking well to the interests
OF the State, in whatever concerns its good
name and prosperity. From the message
of Governor Dingley we shall soon have
official and authentic information. 1t is
sufficient for us to say that the year shows
encouraging results, bearing testimony to
the wisdom and economy which have d.
rected and controlled our public affairs.
Looking back over his term Of three
years, Governor Perham can have the sat
isfaction of feeling that his administration,
though not marked by any great. distin-
gushing measures, has filled period Of
general prosperity, of progress in many
directions, OF the establishing of thou
sands of branches Of industry that are to be
the basis of accumulated wealth and popu
lation that will raise the State to high
rank among the States of the Union. The
public debt has been reduced during his
term about two million dollars. Our in
terest account has been cut down some
fifty thousand dollars annually. Perma-
nent support has been provided for the pub
lie schools. which have been improved by
the establishment of the free high-school
system and the more equal distribution Of
funds between the small and large dis
tricts. The restraints on intemperance
have been maintained and strengthened.
Our colony in Aroostook has grown and
prospered. until it has added materially to
our population, and no longer requires the
assistance Of the State for its support.
New railroads have been built and opened
to travel. and old ores have been greatly
improved in the means Of safety and COM
fort for passengers and fsciliiies for trans
portation Of freight. Shipbuilding. which
three years ago was reckoned among the
lost branches Of business in this State, has
sprung into new life, showing greater
number OF vessels and amount of tonnage
built the last year than in any other year
of the existence of the State. surprising
the shipbuilding done in the same period
in all the rest of the country. Farmers
have had unfavorable seasons to struggle
with, but they have obtained moderate and
sure returns, and are encouraged to perse-
we're in their vocation by the knowledge
that the growth Of manufactures all around
them will ultimately add to the worth of
their lands and products. The increase OF
the profits of our granite and slate quar-
ries has been rapid. When the industrial
statistics of the State are published it will
be seen that the sum of our Industries is
large, very much of which has been add
ed since Governor Perham was first elect
cd.
1t will be conceded by men of all par
tics that Governor Perham has been an
honest, unwearied, faithful servant of the
people. He may review his term of Office
with pleasure. feeling that it is approved
by the public. No failure in public trust
by any official has occurred to cast a blem-
ism npon the good name of the State, no
disgrace rests upon the reputation of
Maine from any public act during his
term.
We deem it mistake in the custom of
this State that the outgoing Governor
should not have the privilege of parting
message to his constituents. This we
think would be agreeable to the incoming
Governor as well as to his predecessor.
We are happy in this brief article to make
mention of the honorable service of Coy
ernor Perham; faithful servant is about
to retire, but another will succeed him
under whom we trust the State will be
wisely governed.