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


and marine insurance companies doing husi-
ness In this State, only pay back for losses q
little more than fifty per cent. Of What they
receive from the insured, they should be able
to accumulate enough to meet any liabilities
that business men of ordinary prudence would
assume in single city. If my judgment is
not at fault, no company should have been
allowed to take risks in Boston or any other
city beyond what they could meet If the whole
city had been destroyed.
The people expect to pay large rates for H.
surance, but, having done that, they very
properly desire to know that they are abso-
lutely insured. After man has paid one OF
two thousand dollars year for fifteen OF
twenty years for insurance, and then meets q
loss by which he Is entitled TO one-half what
he has paid the companies in which he is in
sured, it is hard for him to be informed tina,
he must settle for fifty cents on dollar, and
yet such cases are not uncommon. Ii would
certainly be wise to limit the amount of risks
which companies are allowed to take TO their
ability to meet any liability that could arise
in the ordinary course ofevents. The amount
paid by life insurance companies on account
Of losses Is so small compared with what they
receive from the insured (being less than six
teen per cent that they can hardly fail to be
in condition to meet their liabilities.
The State of Maine pays to life insurance
companies out of the State, nearly million
dollars annually more than is received tor
losses. This for the present at least is so
much capital removed FROM the State every
year, and suggests whether it would not be
advisable to require portion Of this capital
to be Invested in the State, where It would
aid our own business enterprises.
BrrSsrAI FL EcrIcNs AND SESSIONS OF TILE
LEais1 ATTIRE.
lsem it my duty to renew my previous
accommodation relating TO biennial elections
and sessions Of the legislature and change OF
the day Of the annual election to the Tuesday
next after the first Monday in November.
Ny convictions in regard to the advantages
of these changes have been strengthened
since the recommendation was made two
years ago. The passage Of appropriate laws
all other corporations, where only the power
and rights usually granted are sought for,-
which hope will not be delayed beyond this
session,-will make annual sessions entirely
except in special emergencies,
when the legislature can be convened by the
executive. This would save one-half Of the
time and expense of elections and the politi-
cal campaigns that precede them, and some
fifty thousand dollars OF legislative expenses
every two years. The interests of law and
order will not suffer by the change; and the
legislature, being relieved OF many exciting
and sometimes demoralizing questions in
which large rponied corporations are interested
would be a, liberty to devote more time with
greater singleness of purpose TO necessary
legislation.
THEOLOGICAL SrRyEY
The question of renewing the geological
survey of the State VI i'll be presented for Your
consideration 1t Is believed that such a sur
vey would bring to light treasures that now
lie buried or unapp7eciated within the State
The amount Of wealth already found in the
partially developed condition Of the State JUS
tifes the expectation that great advantage
will be gained by complete knowledge Of
our hidden resources.
HARBoR COMMISSIONERS.
Your attention will be called 10 the psopri-
ETY. Of establishing State Board of Harbor
Commissioners. am not prepared TO make
any recommendations On the subject, hat
many whose business and observation lead
them 10 lis consideration, are of the opinion
tina, sach board would be of great sdyan-
tage TO the commercial interests Of the State.
BATTLE FIA5s AND TROPHIES.
Tie last legislature made an appropriation
''to be expended under the direction Of the
Governor and Council in providing suitable
cases for the preservation Of the eolcrs and
trophies in the ro,unda Of the Capitol Suit
able cases have been provided and'he colors
and trophies appropriately arranged.
1t il fitting that, as we and those who come
after enter this building, our eyes shall first
rest upon these silent but eloquent TO-
minders Of our great national struggle
f,r:-, ., hi mi
this generation has paid for the preservation
OF our national union, and inspire devotion TO
its principles.
The soldier as he gazes upon the Old regi-
mental flags under which he fought so bravely
and ,rumphed 40 gloriously, and reads the
names OF the battles inscribed upon their
folds, and calls freshly to remembrance the
trying scenes attending them, will drop tear
for the memory of comrades lost, and breathe
a prayer for the country he loves better than
life. Every star, every stripe, every color
and letter of these battle torn flags are sacred
to him who loves the canse they represent.
Let them be faithfully protected and sacredly
preserved.
CENTENNIAL Exhibition.
4 centennial exhibition in commemoration
of our independence is TO be held in Philadel
pbia in l176. The Commissioner for the
State of Maine has attended all the meetings
of the Commissioners, and reports that the
preliminary arrangements are progressing
fayorably Maine should be especially inter
ested in this exhibition, as twill give our
citizens an opportunity to bring the products
of our industry to the attention Of the people
OF our own and other nations. 1t is fitting
that this State respond promptly to any d.
mands for the promotion Of this great national
enterprise.
IMrRoPEE LEGISLATION.
My duty on this occasion would be but par
TALLY performed If / should fail to renew the
suggestions made to your predecessors in re-
gard to special and private legislation. An
inspection of the acts of the last legislature,
shows that the number of public laws passed
was eighty-seyen; and that they were printed
on fifty-fye pages Of the volume in which
they are published by the State; while the
private and special acts number one hundred
and ninety-one, and cover two hundred and
eight pages. Some of these latter acts are
for the organization of companies, for which
ample provisions are already made by law
One half, at least, of this legislation could be
saved by appropriate laws, based upon general
principles, with suitable limitations and re.
strictions. This would save delay aud ex.
pense to the parties interested, and secure