The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-08

and separate hospital, either on the present
grounds or at some other point in the state,
Long before new buildings could be completed,
additional accommodations will be imperative
1t has been suggested that the United States
Marine Hospital at Cape Elizabeth might be
purchased by the state on the very advanta-
geous terms and easily converted into hos
pital for the treatment of the insane. 1t
should be borne in mind that within twenty
years the number of insane patients in our hos
pitai has doubled-not because of an increase
of insanity, but because of the constantly in
creasing disposition to place persons suffering
from diseased mind in some public hospital
for treatment. The current expenditures of
the hospital for the past year have been about
100000, about two-fifths of which are paid by
the state and the balance by individuals and
towns. Formerly towns and individuals pad
nearly all the expense OF patients, but wltnln
ten or fifteen years the laws have been gradu-
ally modified so as to throw large proper
ton on the state.
THE REFORM SCHOOL.
HIN accordance with authority given by the
last legislature, the trustees have thoroughly
re-arranged and repaired the south wing OF the
Reform School building, at cost of about S6-
900, so as to admit of grading the boys into
three sections. BY this arrangement the bet
ter class of boys are not in danger of being cor
rupted by others of vicious tendencies, and an
opportunity is given to encourage good conduct
by promotions to higher class and by allow
ing no discharges to be made except from the
highest grade. Already has the healthy lnf1u
ence of this system been felt in the school, and
inspired a well-founded hope that, by carrying
out and extending the policy lnaugurated, al
the good results hoped for in such an institu-
tion will be attained. The trustees ask for an
appropriation of 50, 900 to re-arrange and repair
the north wing. and thus complete the system
inaugurated. The current annual expenditures
of the Reform School are about $4,000 in eX-
cess of receipts from the labor of the boys.
THE STATE PRISON.
The inspectors report that the current eX-
penses of the State Prison for 1874 have been
$50 904, and the net income from the manufac-
turing operations carried on by convict labor
28,O19, leaving a balance of 50 8S5 against the
prison. This showing is hardly so favorable as
for several previous years, but the inspectors
think that it is as we'll as could have 6een rea-
sonaby expected considering the business de-
preston and the fact that the fire in the prison
one year since and the building operations dur
ing large part of the past year, have seriously
interfered with the industrial operations OF the
prison. A new brick carriage shop, $50 feet
long and SO wide with two stories wholly above
ground and three basement stories-to replace
the old building destroyed by tire-has been
completed the past season at cost OF SZ2,OOO.
The inspectors ask for an appropriation OF SlO,-
900 to meet the balance due on the cost OF this
building and the expenditures for the erection
of a carpenter shop and for repairs during the
and for the first time fully prepared to adyan-
tageously carry on the industrial operations in
which the convict labor is employed
HOME FOR SOLDIERS oRPHAAs.
The Bath Home for orphan children of SOL
ders and sailors. to which an annual approprl-
alton of $4,000 has been made for severa'
years, has 90 children under its care, and is de-
serving the continued assistance of the state.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
E. u, oh m
appropriation of $4,000 was made by the last
legislature, is about to open with hatterlng
prospects, The Importance of such an instltu-
ton. whose object is to provide home anu
healthy training for girls in danger OF falling
into evil ways, can hardly be overestimated; ;
and it will doubtless receive from time to time
such encouragement and substantial assistance
as it may deserve
MAINE GENERAL HOSPITAL.
The Maine General Hospital at Portland,
which the state has aided by large appropria-
tions, has been opened for the reception of pa
tients, and can but prove Of great public SER
vice.
STATE CHARITIES.
The expenditures of the state for charitable
and reformatory purposes have largely increased
during the past twenty years, and afford evil
dence of the humane character of our people.
About $38, 900 have been expended in support
ing the insane poor, about S6,00O Tor support OF
education of deaf, dumb and blind children,
S12, ,553 for aid to the Penobscot and Passama-
quOddy indians, Ia part OF which, however, Is
the interest of trust fund guaranteed by the
state,) $4,000 for reform school, $4,000 for in
dustra school for girls, S. 900 for increased ac-
commodation for insane $4,000 for improve
ments in reform school building, and $4,000
for Maine General Hospital-an aggregate OF
S1l4, ,367 In addition to this S12 900 has been
expended to provide home for children of de-
ceased soldiers.
THE FISH COMMISSIONERS.
The report of the Fish Commissioners gives a
valuable and interesting account OF the efforts
to re-stock our rivers and ponds with valuable
fish. The expenditures of the commissioners
have been 50, ,45S.
STATE INSPECTORS OF STEAMBOATS,.
Under the provisions of an act of the last leg
slature, the gentlemen who were acting as U.
S inspectors of steam vessels in Maine waters
outside of the jurisdiction of this state. have
been also appointed state inspectors, and have
discharged their duties with fidelity and sue
cess By an oversight of the last legislature,
no appropriation was made for the compensa-
ton of these officers, and consequently they
have not been paid.
THE STATE CENTENNIAL BOARD.
BY authority of resolve of the last legisla
ture, a board of directors has been appointed to
look after the interests of the state with refer
ence to the proposed Centennial Exhibition at
Philadelphia in 1876, and to aid in promoting
the success of the celebration of the hundredth
anniversary of the nations existence.
THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Adjutant General shows
that the volunteer militia of the state, COM
prising ten assigned and two unassigned COM
panies of infantry and one battery of artillery,
all having 91S enlisted men and % officers,
is generally in good condition. The aggre-
gate cost of supporting the military arm of the
state, has been nearly So, 900, of which about
One-half was for the state encampmeni at Ban
gor in September last.
The Adjutant General has also administered
the pension department with rare fidelity and
prudence. The payments from the state treas
ury to 632 pensioners, aggregate S22,Z6f.
THE LAND DEPARTMENT.
| The report of the land agent gives detailed
account of the progress made IN closing up the
affairs OF the land Office By authority of re-
| solve of the last Legislature, such timber lands
| and rights to cut timber and grass as were not
| involved in the claims set up by the European
| s. North American railroad company, were
| sold at public auction for the sum OF Sl45, ,533,
! a little more than one-third of which was paid
| in cash, and for the balance notes were given
| payable in one and two years. 1t was not
| thought expedient to sell any portion of the
lands set apart for settlement until all questions
affecting the title of the state to them should be
finally settled. Most of these questions have
| been settled in favor of the state by decision
| of the court rendered during the past year;
| and an agreement has been entered into by
| the state authorities and the European &
| North American railroad company, by which
| the remaining controverted questions are to be
| Immediately submitted TO the court for settle
| ment
| This will open the way for such a DISPOSE
| ton of the 146,000 acres of vacant public lands
! set apart for settlement as NAV seem wise. 1t
| is estima ated that not over 10000 acres of the
lands thus set apart are suitable for settlement
| and that tue remaining 100000 acres are main
| ly valuable for timber. / recommend that
| these lands be examined ea"ly next season and
| that such portions as are unfit for settlement,
| together with such other inconsiderable tracts
| of timber lands as may prove to be owned by
| the state, be sold. Whatever disposition may
| be made of the vacant state lands suitable for
| settlement, it seems to me highly important
| that nothing should be done to retard their
| conversion into cultivated farms. Indeed, it is
| desirable that you should inquire whether any
| measures can be devised TO further encourage
| the settlement of wild lands held by proprie-
| tors, of which about 9, 100000 acres are owned
| by individuals and 734, 900 acres by the Euro
| pean & North American Railroad Company.
| 1t may be well to bear in mind that most of
| these lands are located in unincorporated
| townships and are subject to only about one
| fourth OF the assessment imposed on capital in
| vested in improved lands aod other property in
| incorporated places in consequence of being
| taxed only for state and county purposes and
on valuation too of only about five millions OF
| dollars. This alone, it will be seen, is practi