Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-09

grafton from Sweden.
Attention is called to the subject OF
stocking our rivers with fish. The Com
missioners speak confidently of success IN
the experiment The report of the Attor-
new General is referred to for information
| in relation to the enforcement of the laws
against crime. The message dwells upon
the anomalous condition of the law TO
punish murder, which makes the Cover
nor and Council a court ofreview in MUIR
der cases, and urges that change is nee
essary TO preserve the distribution OF pow
ers between the departments of the gov
eminent, which the constitution conter1p-
lates.
In regard to the prevention of crime the
message also speaks at some length, up
holding the prohibitory principle as an
agency to restrain the liquor traffic, and
claiming that it should have as fair trial
as license had, which was in practice more
than two hundred years in Maine and
Massachusetts, without preventing the
evil of dram drinking. The Governor
does not argue that prohibition will en-
tirely suppress the liquor traffic, but he
believes it more effective than any other
plan devised for that purpose, and points
to its effects in the rural districts as the
best evidence of its usefulness. If the
law is not enforced the public have the
remedy in their own hands, by bringing
popular opinion to bear upon the delln-
quency. Public sentiment is necessary to
sustain the law. With moral effort to up
hold it the law will be effective.
Our present militia system is commend
ed, and its support advised. A fitting
tribute is paid to the soldiers OF the late
war. who are heartily recommended to
the care OF the State government. The
Orphan Asylums are highly mentioned.
1t is recommended that Memorial Day be
made legal holiday; also that farther
steps be taken towards cooperating in the
Centennial Anniversary Celebration of
our National Independence at Philadel-
phia; and that action be taken towards
placing statue of General Knox in the
National Statuary Hall at Washington.
A prominent topic in the message is
railroad interests 1t is suggested that the
State hadsbetter make the pay Of Railroad
Commissioners depend upon the public
treasury than upon the railroad corpora
tons. Railroads are not beyond the con-
troll of the legislature. Care should be
taken in authorizing future railroad cor
porations to guard well the public inter-
est. A general railroad law is believed
to be best for the public. The power OF
the Commissioners should be enlarged so
as better to promote the public conven-
fence and interest," especially should they
have the power to cause connections be-
tween different roads which cannot or
will not agree, where the public necessity
demands such connection. Provisions
should also be made against watering
Stock"
Special legislation is deprecated. The
Savings Banks show the prosperity of the
people. They hold 500, 800, 523.84, hay
ing increased their deposits the last year
So, 402, 190.Sl, and the number Of their de-
positors 10,07S. Some measures for the
safety of depositors are recommended, de-
signed to prevent investment of the
funds of the bank in unsafe enterprises.
The message closes with general re-
view of the condition of the State at large,
its capabilities, and the growth and value
of its products, as gathered from the re-
port of the State Statstician. We refer our
readers to the message itself if they wish
to gain an idea of this admirable and en-
couraging summary of the material inter-
ests of our State. The facts which it con-
tain surpass the expectation of those who
are most sanguine in relation to the re-
sources of Maine. 1t is the first time in
the history Of the State that the Executive
had statistical report upon which to
found any opinion or from which to draw
any facts or figures to aid him in setting
forth the products and means of the State,
and most happily has Governor Dingley
improved the advantage he had.
In closing this synopsis of the message,
we ask that every citizen of Maine will
give this excellent address full and careful
perusal. Neither are we ashamed to in
vitc to it the attention of the leading men
of other States. 1t will endure close read
ing, and whoever peruses it will have a
better knowledge of the affairs of Maine
than he ever had before. 1t may pro-
woke discussion and dissent upon some
points, but it will be generally approved
as an able, independent and most valuable
address and State paper.
The New Hampshire State republican con-
vention was held in Concord Wednesday
when General Luther McCutchns of New
London was nominated for governor and DR..