Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-01-12

aio, mentioned in that instrument; but st IL is
lmpe,en; Tor the Legislature 90 author iei essons
OF either ssV 90 h)ldaiiy minister Il oil; csted
BIS statute. \ there can be no valid OBJ RUN TO,
but on the pntrary great convenience "a having
women who may act as clerks in pablo orpsivate
offices, an.h lrized 90 ADMINISTER DATA AID take
ackuowle lgcmcnt of deeds / recommend tn pas
sage OF an act providing for the appcintm 'nt Of
persons OF either sex, to perform sa,h on 'ial
duties Indeed. iffuriher legislation bc niece AIRY
to establish that principle, sugg',t tie jus
tee aud Npeliency Of an enabling act recbgh Etg
the eligibility OF women to oai'e, IA tno ,.me
manner a. men; for know ofno sufficient reason
why wom1n, otherwise qualified, should he ca
cludcd from any position adapted 1" her tastes
aud requirements, which the people may dc-irc
she should Oh.
REVISION OF THE CON-TiTU rios,
As il will be necessary for the legislature to
provide for the submission to the people at the
state election in September neat, OF an amend.
meut Of the constitution aholishing the cnicc OF
Land Agent. l suggest whether hwould not be
wise TO unite with this proposition such other
amendments Of the fundamental law OF the STATE
A. may be found uecc isary. Indeed Il seems 10
me that no more favorable opportunity could be
had 10 secure such a careful revision I'D many
features Of the constitution Of the state. - has
some time appeared to many thoughtful ,.'i4en'
10 Toe de .ra1le.
FiN,-ayc yeArs have pas s.l since tn c'1siitu
ton was framed; almost two generations have
come anil gone; and the conditions o.! ne and
dcmAu,l- ON social aud political Organization have
so changed as TO require important mpiih 'aiions
IN the fundamental law Of this as well a. 'ther
static At different times within thc pat thirty
five ycars we have endeayorcd 70 meet these lie
m1nd. bv disconnected amendment until oar
state constitution has become piece "t legal
patch work. in which the patches and oul lldlte
shreds cover half OF the thuty.,wO pages which
the revised statutes devote 90 the iun-trum n' aud
the casual reader OMEN finds IL din,r NH to uader'
stand what is the fundamental law Of the STATE
But aside from these difficulties, not 10 mcntion
The ambiguity of some provisions, many vital
questions are untouched which ought to be rnt at
rest
The constitution prov les only one way to -
cure a modification OF any OF lis provisions. I""
thirds Of lighthouses OF the Legislature must hrs'
agree on amendments 10 De proposed, ANA then
such amendments must be ratified 10y the people
Al the next annual election in September IL l.
Obvious, however that amid the pressure OF The
ordinary legislative business during The briei pc
rod allotted 10 the session, no committee OF the
legislature can give that prolonged and exclusive
attention requisite TO the careful consideration OF
the various important constitutional questions
which are claiming public attention. At hr-t
thought. there might seem 10 be- PrPriciy IA
.ummoning a constitutional convention. hui 'he
doubt which exist. iu some minds a. I" the pro-
prieiy OF doing this without drsi submitting The
question 10 the people; the delay which would
necessarily en.ue. the great expense OF such 3
convention the unsatisfactory manner In which
80 large bodies, composed in great part OF men
having no special qualifications FOR -uch labor
have done their work and the iac, thai the pres
ent constitution need, ouly partial rather than
general revision. suggest, the proprieiy aud Wis
dom OF initiating the plan recently 30 successfully
adopted In New York 'where a commission con
,i-,iug of a small number OF eminent men OF both
political parties, wa authorized TO consider and
frame such amendments a seemed desirable ior
the action and approval Of the legislature snd
tn, n for submission 10 the people
Ii such q course should be thought advisable
in thi. state Il wonId be entirely feasible FOR the
legislature In the early part OF the present ses'
sion. 20 authorize such commission, TO consist
Of perhaps ten members, who, with the aid OF the
suggestions OF the committee on the Judiciary and
Of the members OF the Legislature, and especially
With the light Afforded 10y the recent constitutions
Of other states. could wisely and satisfactorily
agree upon needed amendments, In season fot the
action Of the two houses before adjournment and
thus secure the decision OF the people upon them
NJ an oppOrtune time next september The whole
subject il commented TO your attention.
ORR RAILROAD INTERESTS.
The report Of the Railroad Comm. -loners fur.
si,hes interesting aud ,ap"ans ,i1ii-ilc. ic!-i'o
- the vonaitioa 81 tho .c,OlAi railroad corpora.
t,0n4 ia the STATE and ,aAks- recommendation
which should receive your careful confederation.
The anomalous coalition OF the Portland OK
ford central railroad can but engage your alton
ton. Two new railroads have been opened during
the year-the BucksPOrt 4 Bangor and the Lewis
ton 4 Auburn; and two old railroads have extend
ed their lines-Ihe Bangor 4 Piscataquis from
GuilfOrd TO Abbot, and the Somerset from Noridge'
wock 20 Madison. Other railroads are in contem'
plation which viii supply much needed facilities
Tor freight and passenger iTific. The entire state
can but take deep interest In any movements
looking to the opening OF direct railroad eommuni
cation with that extensive and fertile and ~ large
part vet unsettled portion Of our state !neaded
within the county OF Aroostook.
WI.hou, repeating the considerations aud argu'
ments urged in Inv address 20 the legislature one
year since, / renew the recommendations then
made Tor legislation that will impose upon railroad
corporations such Just responsibilities and re
stTaints will properly secure those public inter
est- which they were created 10 promote Rail
roads should be compelled TO connect al such
points as In the judgment OF the Railroad Com
mi,si0n6rs The public interests may require and
ii the roads cannot agree ON the conditions, then
on such terms a. the Commissioners shall adjudg'
equitable. Authority should be given the Commis
sioners 10 require railroad TO furnish any town
on It's line such siAiion and transportation facili
ties As they may judge necessary Tor the public
convenience Railroad corporations should b
forbidden to issue stock or bond. except for I
confederation Of money. labor or property; or t
eNpend money or purchase on hold real and per
sonal property for other purposes than those nee
cssary 70 carry on the business for which they
arc incorporated. \ prompt, easy aud praetiea
Die remedy should also be provided BY law,io Ih'
enforcement OF the right Of every citizen 10 b'
served by railroad corporation on terms whiei
shall be just and reasonable, without distinction
aud uninst discrimination.
OUR SAVINGS BANKS.
The annual report of the Bank Examiner show
that on she second day of November, the afty-eigh
institutions for savings in this State, had deposits
aggrcgaiing the large sum Of sSl,o6l ,.SS-An in
crease Of 81 as 43s over the deposits al the same
date the previous year. This gratifying inereas'
of deposits, Notwithstanding the financial depres
sion which has prevailed during tie year; tn
marked Improvement in the character Of the secru
tiles held; and the satisfactory condition in which
all our savings Banks have been found by the tx
sminer, are calculated to increase the public con
fldence IN institutions whose deposits are two an'
A half times as large as the deposits and circula