Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-05


at Bucksport, in October.
1t would be obviously unjust to draw from theex-
peiience of less than single year, sweeping and
conclusive inference rs to the comparative efficacy
ofthe law passed by the last Legislature abolishing
death as a punishment Tor crime, and the law II
displaced. | am glad, however, to remark the
evident fact that the substitution of Imprisonment
for life for the death penalty, has not been fol-
lowed by al increase OF the crime which it is the
object of the law under consideration to punish.
or any instance of crime encouraged by the miti-
cation of the penalty.
am persuaded that the prevailing sentiment
among the friends of the new law is not one of
tenderness towards the criminal, but of regard
for the safety of society.
The much-mooted question whether the char
acter of the punishment enters at all into the con-
sderations which prompt to the perpetration of
the greatest OF offences, has failed to obtain any
answer meeting with general acceptance. 1t Is
certainly not demonstrable that the penalty of
death exercises more deterring influence upon
those disposed to crime, than the penalty of i'm.
prisonment for life. The advocates Of the latter
form OF punishment do not claim that its adop pton
will cause mnrder to cease or even 10 be appre-
ciably checked at once or within short period of
time it IS their belief that murder will not at
least be emboldened by it, and that the authori-
tative recognition by society of the nviolability
OF human life, in for orbearing to take that of even
the man who has disregarded its sanctity. is in
harmony with the spirit of modern social science,
anu Will tcIu 10 magnify tue OHtnce, increase the
detestatlon OF II, and to exert educational and
humanizing influence, which, aided by the many
agencies at work for the improvement of the con.
dltiOn OF society, will in process of time cause
sensible reduction OF crime Of every sort.
The recommendations of the Attorney General
relative to authorizing the detail Of civil officers
from any part of the State to investigate cases of
helnous offence, to the payment by the State of
the expenses of county attorneys assisting ut law
courts to present cases from their countless and to
compelling county treasurers to make the returns
required of them by law are all worthy of your
careful consideration.
The ADJUTANT GENERALS DEPARTMENT
No change has occurred 10 the organized mill
taIy force of the State which consists of one reg
iment and two unattached companies of infantry
and one company of light artillery. Two COM
panes of cadets, one at Bath and one at Water
vile, have been furnished with arms and equip
ments under the law of 1872, authorizing the for
nation of companies of cadets, not to exceed ten
in number to be composed of boys not subject to
military duties under the militia laws. New tents
sufficient in number for the present force made
under contract, OF the best pattern, quality of ma
teral and workmanship, were procured by the
Adjutant General in season for the encampment
An encampment of the volunteer militia, for
drill and discipline, lasting four days, held at
Brunswick in September and was very successful.
The men were orderly in their behavior. soderly
in their bearing, and obedient to orders. Marked
proficiency in drill was made, showing the value
OF the encampment as school of instruction.
The general appearance of the command at the
closing review, and their marching we're most ex-
ceent The success of this encampment amply
warrants my recommendation that provision be
made for holding one the present year.
1t is greatly to be regretted that the reduced
appropriation for soldiers pensions did not prove
sufficient TO enable the Adjuiant General to re-
spOnd to all requests for aid which he deemed
meritorous. The great excess of the supply Of
labor over the demand for it, has caused the appli-
cations for relief to be unusually numerous
Great care is taken in the granting of pensions
and advise an appropriation for this purpose OF
the full amount estimated by the Adjutant General
to be required. The important consideration 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 humilil
ton.
THE LAND AGENCY.
The receipts of the Land Office for the wear end
ing November 30th, were S42 .399.17, from the
several sources and on the various accounts spec
flied in the Land Agents report.
Conveyances of % 2,304.3S acres of land were
made to actual settlers. Lands to the amount of
04. so acres were contracted to actual settlers
of the remaining State lands 26,773.39 acres are
unsold and l21, ,66597 acres are in possession of
actual settlers and are to be conveyed when the
settling duties shall have been performed.
The islands on the coast, aggregatng an area
of 663 acres, were sold at public auction for 81
l09l5. 1t required great deal of labor and re.
search to ascertain what islands belonged to the
State. 1t is supposed there are a few remaining
unsold, concerning which definite information
could not be obtained before the sale. They are
probably so insignificant in number and value that
it would be well, in order to avoid expense to au-
thorize the Land Agent to sell them in such man
uer as he may deem advisable.
The duties of the Land Agent have been per.
formed under the immediate direction of the gov.
erner and council, as required by the act of 1876
20 IN ~ TIM nj md Iutia a,f,l ,lata
Ger, and II has been their endeavor TO further as
far as possible the expressed purpose of that act
to prepare for the discontinuance of the Land
office at the earliest practicable moment | am
convinced that the office cannot at present advan-
tageously discontinued and that the transfer of its
duties to some other department would neither
benefit the public service nor effect an economy
The PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The statistics of the common schools for the
school year ending April lst, 1876, do Lot differ
materially from those for the preceding year
rhey indicate, however, a continued interest and
progress in all that relates to them.
The sum of 81 ,053,4Y1 was expended for pub.
lie schools, to which the State contributed the
available amount of s31j, ,Sj2. Eighty-six school
houses were built during the year, at a cost OF
Sl6I 39y.
The laws concerning the relations of the State
to the schools, work admirably and are height
ened in efficiency by the recent act recurring
sworn fiscal returns to be made to the State Super
intendent. 1T Is believed that this law proves of
benefit to towns also in enforcing strict account
of all school moneys belonging to them, from
whatever source derived.
invite you 10 consider the advisability of the
providing for the inspection of High Schools by
authorizing the State Superintendent of Common
Schools TO appoint a sufficient number of COM
petent persons to aid him in visiting and ascer-
tanning the character of all the schools in their
respective vcinties claiming the benefit of the
free high school law.
That officer is required to be satisfied that the
provisions of the free high school act have been
complied with before issuing his certificate for
the sum due from the State. While as to most of
the provisions of the law he can readily satisfy
himself from the reports of the Superintending
School Committees, whether they have been COM
piled with, it is easy to be perceived that they do
not furnish sufficient data to prove that the proper
attention has been paid to the specified studies
required and that the schools cosform in spirit
as well as in letter, to the intent of the law.
1t is proper and business-like that the Su-
perintendent should, in person, or through hi.
agents, examine these schools before vouching
for IT. justice of their claim upon the State
Besides affording the Superintendent informa.
tion which should be in his possession, such an
inspection would greatly tend to elevate the
standard and promote the efficiency of this class
Of schools.
The virtual institution OF High Schools by the
State, through the aid it proffers for their sup
port, was wise and timely act, in full accordance
with the provision of the Constitution enioinin in