Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-04

The Governors Address.

The third annual Address of Governor
Connor 10 the Legislature is an interesting,
well written, able and comprehensive
State paper. 1t is confined chiefly TO State
affairs, which it treats very FULLY, and
in relation TO which it makes important
recommendation and sugges ions
In opening, the Governor briefly ac-
knowledges the goodness of Divine Prov
idence manifested during the year past to
us as people. The condition of the
Treasury is then presented The cash in
hand January. LIST, 1877, and receipts into
the Treasury during 1877, amounted to
Sl,602, 100 "a; the expenditures for the
year were 81 ,371, G27 ca; leaving cash on
hand, Dec. 3lst, 1877. $3.50 ,j32 90. The
receipts for the year were not equal to the
expenses. This was caused by the roduc-
ton of the State tax, by decrease of the
receipts for the tax on deposits in
the savings banks, ard a falling
off of receipt from the rail
road tax. More was received from the
tax on insurance companies than in pre-
vious years. The sum Of SIC, 500 was
paid on the State debt. The gross State
debt Jan. /. 1877 was 5000, 400. De
Quoting the amount paid on the debt this
year, and the full amount of the sinking
fund, and we find that the net State debt at
the present time is 81 9G2 ,4Gl. The Gov
rnorrecommends rigorous economy. and
the increase of the rate of the State tax to
three and three-fourths mills
The Governor speaks in commendatory
terms OF the condition of the volunteer
militia, particularly of the addition Of new
companies and the cadets, and the en-
campment last Fall. lie mentions favor
able efforts making to gather materials for
the history OF the volunteer militia Of the
State in the war. Twelve companies are
TO be supplied with clothing this year, and
an appropriation for that purpose is rec
commended. The claim of the State
against the United States for arms and
ordnance stores has been allowed and
placed to the credit of the State. Dis
abled soldiers and their dependent rela-
tlves are recommended to the bounty of
the State. The customary appropriation
for pensions is advised.
Litigation begun with railroads in az
rears for taxes is making progress under
the direction of the Attorney General. with
prospect OF early decisions by the courts.
There have been three trials for murder
within the state during the year in only
one OF which was the criminal found ouil- |
ty OF murder in the first degree In the
other two cases one was found guilty oil
murder in the second degree, the other OF
manslaughier. The Governor expresses
his firm belief in the wisdom and human |
ity of the law abolishing the death penal |
ty for crime. He dissents from the opin-
ion of the Attorney General in favor of
doing away with coroner's inquests.
The Land Agent paid into the Treasu.
ry last year $15, 304 "A, and convened %.
G60.66 acres of settling lands unsold. En-
forts have been steadily directed to the
discontinuance Of the Office of Land Agent.
whose duties. if The Office is discontinued.
the Governor suggests may be devolved
upon the Secretary of State.
The condition of the savings banks in
the State is layorably mentioned in the
Address. The number of these insttu-
tions is the same as last year. Their de-
posts amounted on the 9th of November
last to s25,092, s72.G5. Their deposits
have decreased some the last year, the