The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-01-03
GOV. Perham's Address.


The address of Gov. Perham to the Le.is-
lature will be read with interest since it is
practical document, setting forth briefly the
operations of the various departments of the
State government the past year, with such
recommendations as he deems iudicious ard
timely.
Gov. Perham devotes quite space to the
consideration of national affairs and to the
questions settled in the late Presidential cleo
ton, and being settled he concludes that the
country can now devote itself to the devel-
opment of our various resources.
Very naturally the first topic for considera-
ton that the Governor takes up, is that
which is the foundation Of all sure success
education. He notices first the fact that tno
employment of women to teach our scho0iN
Is gradually increasing and consequently 90
the first step to secure efficen' 'e"one'''
WARMLY advocates an increase OF pay as a
matter of policy as well rs oer'ght. He rec
ommen, as practicable, measure to estab-
lush in every town of hou and inhabitants
one school of higher grade for the whole town
which shall be free to all.
dustrial interests of our people. There has
beena an Increased interest in agricultural sub
jects the past year, and very decided in
crease in the various manufacturing enter
prises, the most gratifying of which is the
newly inspired activity in our ship-yards.
In connection with his notice of our rail
road system, which has improved the past
year, he recommends that necessary legisla-
ton will give the authorities power to take
in hand such railroads as the owners decline
to make safe, or to render accommodation to
their localities .-
The State Institutions next follow. He re-
commends the Agricultural College to the
favorable notice of the Legislature, not as an
experiment but as a success. The Normal
Schools are rospering; the management of
the Reform School has been satisfactory; the
State Prison has paid its expenses and $1,000
over; the crowded condition of the Insane
Hospital calls for legislation, also some abuses
growing out of the sharp practice of towns;
the esta lishment of an Industrial School for
girls, to receive aid from the State, is recon-
mended.
The finances of the State are in highly
satisfac Dry condition. The debt of the
State Jan. LIST, 1873, was $5,987 653. The
State debt has been decreased quarter OF
million dollars the past year. The State tax
next year will be reduced to five mills on
dollar of the State valuation. SAC
The Governor recommends that the State
pensions be continued and that the military
organizations of the Stata receive the judi
cous attention of the Legislature. The
Swedish colony receives the attention of the
Governor, and the recommendation that the
suggestions of the Commissioner be favorably
considered. He also calls fer legislation to
determine the differences between the State
and the European Railroad Company
Governor Perham devotes considerable
space to the vexed question of the enforce
ment of the prohibitory laws, and the cider
law of last year, but does not volunteer any
definite recommendation respecting either OF
these matters. He also recommends biennial
sessions of the legislature; the collection of
the industrial statistics of the State; geo.
logical survey of the State; the improvement
of the present Jail system; the establishment
of Board of Harbor Commissioners, and
the continuance of the fostering of the State
to the orphan asylums and the plan for the
restoration of fish to our rivers. .. ...
The late disastrous fires and their hardly
less disastrous consequences to insurance
companies has prompted the Governor to call
attention to the matter of insurance. He
suggests that it may be wise to require that
these companies invest a portion of the mil
lions of dollars that they annually take from
the State, within its borders.
In conclusion the Governor calls attention
to the abuses and expense attendent upon
sp 'cial legislation, and calls the attention of
the present body to the necessity of some
remedy
The address, as a whole, is plain, practi-
cal business document, which sets forth the
wants of The various departments of the
State without insisting upon definite plans
for meeting the demands of the hour. The
methods he leaves to their legitimate branch
of the government. In addition to this. the
ailress shows that the affairs of the State
have been carefully administered the past
year.
A WASHINGTON despatch says that Presi-
dent Gran will shortly issue an executive o.
der of We grea: Importance to United States
office-holders in every State, and which is de-
signed to correct an evil, that, in some States
ha become too serious to be longer over
looked. The order in question will notify all
persons holding United States commissions
r. r~
any State authority is inconsistent. with the