Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-09

Company procured temporary lpJunc-
ton against the State Treasurer from the
United States Circuit Court, and hear
ing in regard TO a permanent injunction
was To- Ice had in that court in April last.
/, was deemed for the interest, and Tor
the honor of the State as well, that the
validity OF the tax should be first tested
before the State court, and accordingly
the Attorney General succeeded. owing
10 the spirit OF iIankness and courtesy IN
which he was met by the counsel for the
company, In causing suspension for the
beaiing before the Circuit Court and 10
bringing the case upon lis merits before
The Supreme Judicial Court of the State,
where # was argued at the law term in
JUS last.
l. is expected that toe decision of the
court will soon be rendered. Ii II shall
be favorable to the State. there Is reas IN
TO believe that the case will not be further
contested, and that the delinquent COM
panjes will accept the result oil this,
which is substantially test case applica
bic to them ali, aud pay tho taxes due,
which amount TO over $li1 600.
The Attorney General repor.s that he
has not been informed OF indictments
found in any courts during the year lor
any capital offence, or offence hitherto
called capital. He adds that it is proba-
bic an indictment will be found against
| Edward NJ. Smith for the murder oil
three persons at Bucksport, in October
Il would DO obviously Unjust 10 draw
from the experience OF less than single
year, sweeping and conclusive infer
ence as TO the comparative efficacy oil
the law passed by tie last Legislature
abolshiug death as punishment Tor
crime. and the law it displaced. am
glad, however, To remark The evident
tact that the substitution OF imprison.
ment for lie for the death penalty has
not been followed by the increase OF
the crime which il is the OF leci OF the
law under consideration TO punish, or
any instance OF crime encouraged by the
mitigation OF the penalty.
sm persuaded that the prevailing
sentiment among the friends OF the new
law is not one of tenderness towards the
criminal, bu. Of regard for the safety oil
so iety.
The much-mooted question, whether
/ the character OF the punishment enters
AZ all into the cousidt rations which
prompt 10 the perpetration OF the great
est offences, has failed to obtain any
answer meeting with general acceptance.
/ |. s certainly not demonslrable that the
penalty of death exercises more deter
ring influence upon those disposed to
crime than the penalty OF imprisonment
| for life. The advocates OF the latter
form of punishment do not claim that It's
adoption will cause murder 10 cease or
even to be aPprccitb!y checked al once
or within short period OF time; 1t IS
/ their belief that murder Will not at least
/ be embroidered By il. and that the auth
oritaiiye recognition by society OF The IN
violAbiiiy OF human life, IN torbearing
/ 10 take lhst OF even the man who has
diSregarded It's sanctiIy, IS IN harmony
With the spirit OF modern social science,
AID will tend TO magnify the offence, IL
crease the detestation OF it.sni TO exert al
educ AliOnsl and hunanizug iuuleuce,
which. aided by The many agencies a.
work Tor the Improvement OF the condi-
ton OF society, will in process OF time
cause sensible reduction oil crime oil
every SORT.
T3e recommendation OF the Attorney
General relative 10 authorizing the detail
of civil officers from any part vi the State
20 Investigate cases ~ heinOuS offence, to
the payment by the Safe OF the expens-
es ul county attorneys assisting at law
courts 10 present cases from their coun-
lies. and 10 compel ing county treasur
ers to make the returns required OF the M
by law, are all worthy OF your careful
consideration.
ruE ApIUTANT GENERALS DEPARTMENT.
No change has occurred in the organ
lied military force OF the State. which
consists OF one regiment aad two unat
tached companies OF infantry. and one
company OF light artillery. Two compan-
les Of cadets, one al Bath, and one al
Wateryille, have been furnished with
arms and equipments under the law OIL
1872, authorizing the formation oil CON-
uauiCs OF cadets. not 10 exceed ten Ia mum
Der 10 be composed OF boys not sutJeci
10 military duties under the militia law
New tents 81 iliCisnt in number Tor The
present force, made uLder contract. oil
the best pattern, quality OF material and
workmanship, were procured by Inc Ac'
iutant General 10 season Tor The encamp-
men,.
Aa encampment OF the volunteer mil
l;ia. for drill aud discipline, lasting four
days, was held u, Brunswick IN Septem'
Der and was very succ Csslul. The men
were orderly in their behavior. so!dieriy
in their bearings. aud ooedlent 10 orders.
Marked proficiency in drill was made,
showing the value of the encampment as
school OF instruction. The general al
pearance OF the command ~ the closing
review, and their msrchisg were most
excellent. The success OF this encamp'
ment amply warrants my recommends
ton that provision be made for holding
one The present year.
L. is greatly To be regretted that the re
duced appropriation for soldiers pension
did no. prove sufficient 10 enable the Ad.
iutaut General 10 respond 10 AL RESP nests
Tor aid which be deemed meritorious.-
Tne great excess oil the supply OF labor
over the demand tor it, has cAssed the
application Tor relief 10 be unusually mum
erous. Great care is taken in the grant
ing OF pensions. and | advise an appro-
prislion for this purpose OF the full
amount estimated by the Adiutant Gen
eral TO be required. The important coz
sidera,ion to the people of Maine is, that
the soldier who has sacrificed his ability
to support himself and family in their
cause, should not know want or humili-
alton.
THE LAND AGENCY.
IT, rooa;D,e Of ,ha | and office for the