Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-03

ator for the Development OF the physical pow
ers. The results in our college, as well as in
other similar institutions, show that few
hours labor each day, aids rather than retards
the development of the intellectual powers,
and that it is not inconsistent with the highest
scholastic attainments.
] am glad to notice that women are being
admitted to all the rights and privileges of
this and other colleges in the State. 1t is a
step in the right direction, and one in which
l am proud to see the State of Maine take
leading part. The moral standard of these
colleges will be elevated by tie change, and
ether interests will not suffer. Not only the
rights of women but the most vital interests
of the future, demand that she shall have
opportunities for the cultivation Of her in
tellectual faculties, equal to those enjoyed by
men, The avenues of literary and scientific
attainmen;s should be open alike to all our
people, male and female.
MnIrARY.
The last legislature elected Joshua L.
Chamberlain, Major General of Militia, to
whose command the military companies of the
State have been assigned.
In the report of the Adiutant General
which includes the reports of the Major Cen
eral and Inspector General, some important
suggestions and recommendations are made
| iH iesdlu " u
which l invite the attention of the legislature.
An expensive military organization in this
State is not deemed necessary. We do need
however an effective force which can. be re-
lied upon to meet such emergencies as are
liable 10 arise. You will be called upon to
consider whether the necessary interest and
efficiency can be sustained by tire militia oi
the State without offering some opportunity
for battalion OF regimental inspection and
drill
STATE PENSIONS
Eight hundred and thirteen applications
for State pensions have been received during
the year. OF these six hundred have been
allowed and two hundred and nine rejected
| Whole amount allowed for pensions 522
$3.50 a decrease of S4,4S2 92 since last
year.
The distribution of this fund IS great bles-
sing to such of our disabled soldiers and the
! dependents Of those who lost their lives In
the service as are unable, by reason of spec
ial misfor.unee, to avoid destitution without
the aid of charity.
Fortunately their number is gradually de-
creasing, but while they are with us the State
will honor itself by providing fer their neces-
sites.
ENFORCEMENT OF The PRoHlRIroRY LAWS.
! All agree that intemperance is one OF the
greatest evils that afflct the people. How to
eradicate it, is a question that addresses
itself to ali lovers OF sobrlety and good or
! der, and involves the highest interests oi
the State. The legislator who is compelled
to aid in lsyying taxes upon his constituents
for the support of criminal courts, jails, pris-
ons, poor houses and reformatory institutions
two thirds of which are made necessary by
the liquor traffic, cannot ignore the duty Of
removing, as far a possible, the cause thai
imposes these heavy burdens. Oar State
suffers greatly by this evil, and still no one
can so out OF the State in any direction with
out noticing a contrast in this regard, highly
commendable to our people. 1t is probable
| that less intoxicating liquors are drank ia
| Maine than in any other place OF equal popu-
iahon in the country, perhaps in the civilized
world. This enyiahie position has been
reached through many years Of individual
| and organized moral effort, supplemented by
efficient prohibitory laws; neither means
could have been equally successful alone.
Other States have temperance men and wo'
men as devoted aud as efficient ours, bat
having no laws to aid them, or lacking the
public sentiment necessary TO sustain and en-
force them, the success they deserve is not
achieved,
| While some doubt the wisdom Of prohibi.
| tion, il has been so often and SO omphatically
approved by the people that it may be regard
ed al a part OF the settled policy of the State.
The law of the last legislature, making it the
duty of sheriifs and their deputies to institute
| legal proceedings against violations of the law
prohibiting the sale of Intoxicating liquors,
has secured more effective enforcement OF
these laws. The effects are percep,ible in
the decrease eofdrunkenness, and consequently
| i,<I q +hat int raHn
ton of criminal business generally, and in
thousands of comforts and blessings brought
to homes where poverty and misery reigned
before. If it be said that it has destroyed an
| important business, and left the vendors OF
| liquor without employment, and their shops
unoccupied, it ia answered that the money
formerly paid to support their business has
been turned into other and more useful chan
nes of trade, or into the families of those
whose hard earned money supported the traf-
| fc
The Law prohibiting the sale of cider the
same as other intoxicating drinks, except
when sold by the manufacturer, has, it is be-
| lieved, failed to meet the expectations of its
| friends. IT has, hswever, demonstrated the
| fact, (if any demonstration was necessary
that elder in any of It's forms, is no less in u
rious wheu sold by the manufacturer or his
| agent than when sold by any other man.
The difficulty in discriminating between cider
in its harmless and hurtful condition is such
that the most Of the temperance organizations
after much experience and careful considera.
ton, have found it necessary to include cider
with other intoxcants in their pledges. II
must he remembered however, that a ma or
ity Of our people do not view the subject from
this stand point, and haze not come to regard
the sale Of cider as an evil equal to the sale
Of other drinks that are held to be intoXicat-
ing by the law. II must also be remembered
that any law 10 be effective and permanent,
must express, not simply what It's friends
deem to be wise, but what the aggregate
moral sense Of the people recognize as right.
1t will not be denied that many shops where,
professedly, nothing stronger than cider is
sold, either in consequence of the age of the
cider or of its being mixed with stronger
liquors, are among the worst drinking places
in the State. This is especially observable at
the present time, in places where the enforce
ment of the law makes it difficult 10 obtain
other liquors.
Many young men supposing the beverage
sold to be harmless, take their first departure
towards life Of shame and disgrace, in these
places. Against the sale of cider when 1t Is