The Portland daily press., 1875-01-08

the hearing of a libel for divorce, aud TO resist
the granting of decree | also suggest that
instead of hauing DEGREES for divorce take ef-
feet when made, all such judgments be simply
interlocutory, to take effect one year after be-
ing made. unless dissolved in the meantime by
the court.
This mode of proceeding would serve to
guard against fraudulent representations, and
give opportunity for affection and reason TO re-
sumo their rightful sway. 1t can be hardly
otherwise than that supposed grievances
which, under less accommodating laws OF d.
vOrce, would be patiently and even cheerfuliy
borne, and differences which time would recon-
cile to mutual advantage, are under our exist
ing statutes often made the occasion for the
hasty and unwse sunderng OF what should be
the most sacred and enduring tie on earth.
Nothing is better settled than the fact that
laws which make divorces easy to be obtained,
encourage hasty and ill-considered marriages;
And nothing conduces more to that mutual
Difference and forbearance on which domestic
harmony" so much depends, as the convlctlon
of the parties to the marital contract that they
have taken each other for better or for worse
until death doth them part.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.
Although our laws authorizing Imprisonment
for debt were long since modified so as to large
ly mitigate the evils OF so extreme remedy
for the enforcement of the rights OF creditors,
vet they seem to me uni ust and unwiSe. Prac-
ticaly they rarely aid in the collection of claims
against dishonest debtor; it is only the honest
but unfortunate debtor that is reached by
them. Our criminal laws are already sufficient,
or may be made so, to reach dishonest debtors
guilty of fraudulent acts. But statutes which
authorize the imprisonment of penniless debt
or who cannot secure the means to pay the
costs of disclosure, where no fraudulent prac'
tice or intent is alleged, operate iDjuriousy to
the interests of industry and trade, foster an
unwise use of the credit system to the ul-
innate disadvantage of the creditor and the
not unfrequent oppression of the debtor and
his unoffending family, and are contrary to
sound public policy and the spirit OF the age.
RIGHTS OF WOMEN TO HOLD OFFICE.
In response to questions propounded by the
Governor and Council, majority Of the JUS
tces of the Supreme Court have given the
opinion that under the constitution OF Maine,
women cannot act as Justices of the Peace, nor
hold any other Office mentioned in that instru-
ment; but that it is competent for the Leglsla-
ture to authorize persons of either sex to hold
any ministerial office created by statute. As
there can be no valid objections to. but on the
contrary great convenience in having women
who may be acting as clerks in public or prl--
vate offices, authorized to administer oaths and
take Acknowledgements of deeds, recommend
the passage of an act providing for the appoint
ment of persons of either sex, to perform such
official duties Indeed, if further legislation
be necessary to establish that principle, L sug-
gest the justice and expediency of an enabling
act recognizing the eligibility of women to Of
flee, in the same manner as men; for l know
of no sufficient reason why woman, otherwise
qualified, should be excluded from any position
adapted to her tastes and requirements, W hich
the people may desire she should fill.
REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
As it will be necessary for the legislature TO
provide for the submission to the people at the
annual state election in September next, of an
amendment Of the constitution abolishing the
office of Land Agent, | suggest whether it
would not be wise to unite with this PROPOSE
s,,aIO thara apdr 70 pFfh a
tai law of the state as may be found necessary.
Indeed it seems to me that no more favorable
opportunity could be had to secure such care
full revision of many features of the constitu-
tiou of the state, as has for some time APP
peared to many thoughtful citizens to be desr.
able.
Fifty-fve years have passed since Ghe-co
stitution was framed; almost two generations
have come and gone; and the conditions of life
and demands on social and political organiza-
tion hare so changed as to require important
notifications in the fundamental law of this
as we'll as other states. At different times
within the past thirty-five years, we have en-
deavored to meet these dem ands by discon-
nected amendments, until our state constitu-
ton has become piece of legal patchwork, 10
which the patches and out-of-date shreds cover
half of the thirty-two pages which the revised
statutes devote to the instrument, and the
casual reader often finds it difficult to under
stand what is the fundamental law of the state.
But aside from these difficulties, not to men
tion the ambiguity of some provisions, many
vital questions are untouched which ought to
be put at rest
The constitution provides only one way to
secure modification of any of its provisions.
Two-thirds of both houses of the legislature
must first agree on amendments to be proposed
and then such amendments must be ratified
by the people at the next annual election in
September. 1t is obvious, however, that amid
the pressure of the ordinary legislative bust
ness during the brief period allotted to the
session, no committee of the legislature can
give that prolonged and exclusive attention re-
quisite to the careful consideration of the vari-
GUS important constitutional questions which
are claiming public attention. At first thought,
there might seem to be propriety in summon
ing constitutional convention; but the doubt
which exists in some minds as to the propriety
of doing this without first submitting the
question TO the people; the delay which would
necessarily ensue; the great expense of such
convention; the unsatisfactory manner in
which SO large bodies, composed in great part
of men having no special qualifications for
such labor, have done their work; and the fact
that the present constitution needs only par
tial rather than general revision, suggests the
propriety and wisdom of initiating the plan
recently SO successfully adopted in New York,
where a commission consisting of a small
number of eminent men of both political par
ties, was authorized to consider and frame such
amendments as seemed desirable, for the ac-
ton and approval of the legislature, aid then
for submission to the people.
If such course should be thought advisable
in this state, it would be entirely feasible for
the legislature, in the carly part Of the present
session, to 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 leg!sla-
ture, and especially with the light afforded by
the recent constitutions of other states, could
wisely, and satisfactorily. agree upon needed
amendments, in season for the action of the
two Eouses before the adjournment and thus
secure the decision of the people upon them
at an opportune time, next September. The
whole subject is commended to your consider
ate attention.
OUR RAILROAD INTERESTS.
The report of the Railroad Commissioners
furnishes interesting and important statistics
relative to the condition of the several railroad
corporations in the state, and makes recon-
mendations which should receive your careful
consideration. The anomalous condition of
the Portland & Oxford Central railroad can
but engage your attention. Two new railroads
have been opened during the year-the Bucks
port & Bangor and the Lewiston & Auburn;
and two old railroads have extended their lines
the Bangor & Piscataquis, from GuilfOrd to
Abbot, and the Somerset, from Norridgewock
to Madison. Other railroads are in contempla.
ton which will supply much needed facilities
for freight and passenger traffic. The entire |
state can but take deep interest in any move
ments looking to the opening of direct railroad |
communication with that extensive aud fertile |
and in large part as yet unsettled portion of
our state included mainly within the county |
OF AroOstook.
Without repeating the considerations and |
arguments urged in my address to the legisla- |
ture one year since, 1 renew the recommended |
tons then made for legislation that will impose |
upon railroad corporations such just RESPONSE |
bilities and restraints as will properly secure |
those public interests which they were created |
to promote Railroads should be compelled to |
connect at such points as in the judgment of |
the Railroad Commissioners the public inter |
ests require; and, if the roads cannot agree on
the conditions, then on such terms as the Com
missioDers may adjudge equitable. Authority |
should be given the Commissioners to require
a railroad to furnish any town on its line such |
station and transportation facilities as they |
may judge necessary for the public convent
ence. Railroad corporations should be forbid
den to issue stock or bonds except for a con-
sideration of money, labor or property; or to
expend money or purchase or hold real and |
personal property for other purposes than those |
necessary to carry on the business for which |
they are Incorporated. A prompt easy and |
practicable remedy should also be provided by |
law for the enforcement of the right of every |
citizen to be served by railroad corporation |
on terms which shall be just and reasonable, |
without distinction and unjust discrimination. |
OUR SAVINGS BANKS.
@oc& Al,