Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-03
POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLA.
TURE.
ABSTRACT or THE GO VERNOR'S
MESSAGE


Isaac Dnnham of Bridgewater, was elected
chaplain of the House.
The following is an abstract of the princi-
pal points and recommendations of Gov. Tai
bots address to the legislature. The Cover
nor comes out squarcly in favor of reform, re-
trenchment and economy regarding which he
says:
II shall insist that faith be kept with the
people, and that they shall not be Knocked
with a delusive show of rctrenchment, and
that all needed reductions shall be effected in
every branch of the public service, far as
can be done without Gripping its efficiency or
aiding a scheme of human suffering"
He invites the legislature to cooperate to
carry ont the peoples wish in this respect,
',judiciously, thoroughly and quickly"
With reference to the proposed reduction of
gubcrnatorial salary. he says
1T being conceded that the legislature can
not reduce the Governors salary while in of
flee. but may establish it in advance of his
successor. | desire to remove all embarrass-
ment on this point by suggesting that his sal
AIRY should be made to conform to the stand
ard before the war, and by stating that the
present executive will content himself with
the sum you may deem honorable and 'suiii-
Client for his successor"
He recommends rigid economy and reduc-
ton of expenses in the judiciary expenditures
and the abolition of the board of State chart
ties, with all its bureaus and the creation of
the State board of health, lunacy and charity.
He recommends the abolition of the State de
tcctive force at an early day, and the trans
tering of an inspection of factories and public
buildings to the bureau of statistics.
He does not favor the diversion of II large
portion of the school fund for spec ial cdu-
cation purpose.
II. N I .
exempt from attachment. He declares his
Judgment TO be that any permanent advance
in liquor traffic legislation must be secured
by prohibiting cnactmcnt>, but leaves the
question with the peoples representatives.
He recommends sessions of the legislature
be limited to 100 days, and that elections be
held bicnnally. and that it be made incompe-
tent for the legislature to fix it, own pay, and
not only that of its successor
He deems it essential that sherfis and dis
trict attorneys should be appointed by the
Governor. and that other officers connected
with the courts should hold positions by exec
utive or judicial selections, and in order to
comply with the peoples demand for more
economical administration of the public af-
fairs, iavors calling "A constitutional convcn-
ton with reference To woman suffrage. He
suggests that Il constitutional Amendment,
giving women a right to vote, should be sub
mitted to the people for their decision.
Meeting of Greenbackers.
BosTo>. January ,. About 100 delegates
of the greenback party, from the several New
England States. met here to-day to discuss
the best method for conducting the campaign.
Alexander Troup of New Haven, called the
meeting tn order.
:. G.. Bancroft of Peabody. Mass. was
made chairman. and Noah ID. Payne of Prov
idencc, Secretary.
After an address by Carl Mahcr of Worccs-
ter, who avored a financial system similar to
that of France. "A resolution tavoring the
forming of some greenback organization in
which all New England States shall qe repre-
scented, was adopted.
There was lively discussion of second
resolution to the effect that committee of
two from each State be appointed to report
plan for the organization of New England
League.
The labor element desire some recognition
in the name of the organization, proposition
being made to call il the National GrccnhaCk
labor party of New England.
The second resolution was finally adopted,
but the vote by which it passed was reconsid-
cred, and Wendell Phillips made an address
in which he said he had endeavored to form a
labor party, but it could not be done and he
was glad of it.
The motion to reconsider was then lost and
the convention adjourned till two O'Clock.
Memminger Knows Nothing About Elec-
ton Frauds.
NEW YORK, January >. c. g. Memmingcr
writes to the Charleston News that Blaine's
confidence must have been sadly abused when
he put his name among Witnesses to prove
frauds in the late elections. He was at his
summer residence in the mountains when the
election took place. and he knows no more of
the election than Blaine does.
NEW YORK.
Death from Wounds.
Ntw YORK, January 2. Mrs. $. Hayden,
who was shot a few days ago on the street, in
this city, died last night. Lavelc, her muir
derer. has been arrested,
Murder.
John Clifford seriously stabbed young
man named Mcknight. Yesterday forenoon, at
a ball, and Clifford was fatally shot while
subsequently trying to escape from an officer
Railroad Matters.
The Fall River line to-day reduced the fare
to New York. Fall River and Boston, TO one
dollar and fifty cents.
Failures.
Business failures officially announced in
Great Rrtain and Ireland, during l77S. have
been Ii. Oj9, of which , 643 are those in tinan-
cial and wholesale and manufacturing branch
es of trade, and ~ 4lG in r.tail traders. pro-
tessional pursuits, builders. publicans and
working classes, against ZIP and $3.50 un-
der the respective headings in 1877, showing
an increase of 1. O31 failures last year, over
over the preceding year.
Railroad Trouble.
special from Troy says President Burt of
the Boston, Hoosac Tunnel and Western X.
r., will appeal from the decision of the court
| in favor of the Troy & Boston road give Sc
curity and run trains over the road yet in dis
pute.
Weather Reports.
In New York the snow is falling heavily,
| wind east
At Omaha Cheyenne and Chicago, this
forenoon, clear and windy, with thermometer
20 below; at st. Louis below; at Pittsburg,
| 4, H., Ia md al ....l.