The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-04
The GoEernor,s Message.

Gov. Connor's latest message is, like all his
preceding State papers, model document.
In it he sets forth concsely and yet with
proper fulness of detail the condition of the
public affairs of Maine, the situation in which
he found the several departments of the State
at the close of the year, and the wants of the
State administration for the year upon which
we have just entered.
With few words Of deserved praise for the
faithful manner in which all the offices of the
State have been administered for the last
twelvemonth he passes to the consideration Of
the topic Of most general interest, the condi-
ton of the State Treasury. The receipts for
the year 1877 were, it appears, 81, ,207, 1921
and the expenditures $1,371, ,627,64, thus
showing that the receipts were insufficient to
meet the expenses by the sum of $163, $3.50 ST.
The cash on hand however at the beginning
of the year was $394, ,422.27, so that there is
now in the Treasury $3.50, $3.50. The fall
ing off is due to the reduction of the State tax
and the decrease, consequent upon the pros
tration of business, in the savings bank and
railroad taxes. Assuming that the receipts
for the current year will be equivalent to the
amount of the tax levied for 1877, and that
the receipts from all the other sources will be
the same, the resources of the State for the
current year will be $500 Al less than the
expenditures for 1877. To meet the def
cheney the Governor recommends an increase
in the State tax, restriction of appropria-
tions, and rigorous economy in all the de-
partments of the State. During 1877 the pub
lie debt was reduced by the sum of $46,500,
and is now $5,873,900. The sinking fund, in
creased by $120, 1929 now amounts to $911,-
436.04. This leaves the net debt at 81, 962,-
464. On the first of March $25,000 will ma
ture, and after that time no part of the public
debt is due until August, 1888, when $780,, 900
will mature. The Governor calls attention to
the ambiguity of the act of 1875, directing the
substitution Of new bonds for those that be-
come due, and recommends that the doubtful
part be made clear.
The department of Justice makes good
showing. Since the passage of the law abol-
ishing the death-penaty there has been but
single instance of conviction of crime in
which the penalty is affected by it, The tax
suits against the railroads are in fair way for
early decision as they occupy preferred posi-
ton on the docket of the Supreme Court of
the United States to which they have been
carried by the defendant corporation on a
writ of error. The Governor finds himself
obliged to dissent FROM the recommendations
OF the Attorney General in regard to the abol-
ition of coroner's inquests. He remarks with
reason that no steps should be taken to dimin-
ish the care of the State for the lives of it's
citizens or to discourage the promptness and
zeal with which its authorities seek to dis
cover and punish the guilty. Such dscour-
agement he sees in the abolition of the in
quests.
The department of education receives from
the executive the commendatory mention to
which its merits entitle it, and he gives just
praise to the wise and liberal policy pursued
by the State. The Normal Schools are
praised for doing excellent work, and the free
high school system receives due credit for the
good it has accomplished. The county
boards of examination and normal institutes
suggested by the Superintendent of Common
Snhoolsi are recommended as eminently
worthy of adoption, and the plan of distribut-
ing the moneys contributed by the State on
the basis of the aggregate number of days at
tendance instead of the number of scholars is
approved.
The State institutions all make as good
showing as was expected. For the charitable
institutions aid is asked, and the noblest
charity of them all, the Maine General Hos
pital, comes in for word of deserved praise.
In conclusion the Governor congratulates the
people in fitting strain, upon the healthful
growth of the State and the fair future be-
fore it.