The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-09
A Model State Paper.

A Model State Paper.
We have no hesitation in saying that the
Address of Gov. Dngley is worthy of, and
will receive the highest commentator of that
part of our citizens who believe in progress
and have faith in the future of Maine. En-
gagged for years in a profession which has at
forded him rare facilities to understand the
capabilities and requirements of the State,
Gov. Dingley has made use of the informa-
ton he has thus gained in series Of practi-
cal suggestions which commend themselves
to practical men. The address also indicates
that the new Executive has spared neither
time nor study in famiarizing himself with the
affairs and workings of the State government;
and above all, the address is pervaded with
a tone of thorough determination ON his part
to administer the affairs of the State econo-
mically, intelligently and for the interest of
the whole people, and patriotic purpose to
devote his energies to secure the highest
good of his native State.
While we fully endorse every sentiment
and recommendation of the Address, there
are several points which are worthy of spe-
cial commentator and to which we shall
briefly call attention.
The remarks of the Governor on the ne
cessity ofeconomy at the present time areper-
tnent, not only to those who are appropriate
ing public money but to all classes in every
walk of life. In our form of government reck-
less expenditure and extravaganza cannot do
otherwise than influence the people to fall
into similar ways; and to meet the lavish ex-
penditure that such a course requires, thou
sands rush into speculation and into practices
which ensure dishonor and ruin. Gov. Ding
ley recognizes the fact that the business of
the State should be done with the same pru-
dence and care which thrifty man exercises
in his private business.
Under the head of sources of taxation,'
the Address brings very important subject
to the attention of the Legislature and peo-
pie, viz: the raising of revenues by other
means than direct taxation If this subject
is referred to the Finance Committee, it will
have committed to its consideration, one of
the few questions which require the exercise
vi SOLlctulllS dhtl W SudJcSllduSulps IL 10 "
be hoped that the Legislature will consign
this important topic to a committee that will
thoroughly investigate it.
The Governor recognizes the Importance
of our educational interests, by devoting
quite portion of his Address to a subject so
vital to our welfare. He warmly commends
the normal and free high schools, as of i'm
perative necessity TO the success of our COM
mon school system. He also asks the Legis-
lature to consider the subject Of compulsory
attendance, and gives good reasons for the
adoption of some measure looking to the cor
rection of absenteeism. But while Gov. Ding
ley would have the Legislature make gener-
Gus provision for the success of our COM
mon schools. he wisely refrains from max
ing any recommendation in behalf OF
the effete academies and cooperative
and sectarian institutions Of higher
grade. Indeed, it is safe to conclude
that the Legislature has abandoned the poll
cy Of aiding this class of schools, probably on
the ground that it is not wise to tax the peo-
pie for other than free schools.
L HC AuuicsS very SHARPLY, anu we tuluh,
justly criticises the present law for the pun
ishment of the crime Of murder, which is, at
best, a sort of COW ardly evasion by the advo-
Gates of capital punishment who enacted it
and forcing of judicial powers and response
'blity upon the Executive which the legisia-
tive friends of capital punishment did not
care to assume themselves. Let us hope that
the Legislature will abolish capital punish
ment entirely, or if not, make the execution
of the law imperative and not shirk so fearful
responsibility upon the Executive.
Governor Dingey is a sincere believer in
the principle of prohibition as one of the
agencies to stop the liquor traffic, which all
must admit is grave peril to society; but he
has been so careful an observer of the opera
ton of all legal enactments that he recog-
execution of laws which are not fully sus-
tanned by public opinion; hence he sees the
great importance of arousing the public con-
science to the baneful effects of traffic
which is the parent of nearly all vice and
crime and the prolific source of pauperism
and misery.
We hope the Legislature will emulate that
sentiment Of the Governor which declares
that the obligations of the State to It's disa-
bled soldiers and Their dependent relatives
will not be redeemed so long as there shall
remain destitute boy in blue,' or an indi-
gent family of living or dead soldier, whose
necessities are not supplied; and supplied
too, not as paupers, but as citizens who are
only receiving what they have more than
earned" by amending the present law
which is alike dsgraceful to the State and in
sulting to the unfortunate persons it should
benefit, so as to make it more just.
The Governor does notlevade the transport
tation question, which is every year becoming
more important to our people. His declara-
tons as to the rights of the people and the
duties of railroad corporations will not meet
the approval of the few but will commend
themselves to the minds of the many. Rail-
road legislation or rather the legislation of
cohIehding railroad companies has come to
mohopolize so large share of the attention
oiour iaW-making bodies that it has become
question whether the railways were made
Tor the people or the people for the railways.
Gov. Dingley takes the latter view and declares
that railroads which exist by the suffrance of
the State and have such extraordinary now
ers conferred upon them, should be required
by law to facilitate and not impede the public
in the transaction of its business. IF the
Legislature needs the judicious suggestions of
the Executive, the people will, for once, be
recognized in railroad legislation.
In suggestive form, Governor Dingley
sets forth the present Importance of Maine in