The Portland daily press., 1880-01-17

-TuCtIOn, NILtnINWVe IS.
arm department has fully paid its own expenses,
nd am convinced that under the continued pru-
ent management of its trustees this institution can
G made, from its own resources, nearly if not
Mite self-sustaining, and especially so since the
,w passed by the last Legislature authorizes a
easonable charge for tuition, which think no
tudent would object to. and is not nscontlict with
10 law of Congress- chapter 40, approved July .,
. 1lishing State colleges.
TEMPERANCE.
The subject of temperance and the suppression Of
he sale of Intoxicating liquors, will undoubtedly be
rged upon your attention. 1t ever has, and ever
Till agitate the public mind, until some ehectual
nethod is devised by which the sale of intoxicants
beverage will be rendered impossible or at least
e followed by certain punishment. The penalties
lready established for the various violations are
Efficiently severe and ample means are afforded for
he enforcement of the law; but in practice it is
ound that officers to whom its prosecution is en-
rusted have in instances, been remiss or negligent
n the duty imposed upon them either from local
influence or some other cause, and to remedy this
efect, by chapter 62, OF laws OF l5I2, the cover
was authorized 10 direct these officers to enforce
his and other criminal laws, and upon further
yful neglect TO report the facts to the legislature
This law places the Governor in false position, in
hat it requires him to issue command without
my effectual means to S. cure obedience. In case
he officer neglects to comply with such command,
the term of the then Governor will have expired
when the legislature next conyenes and frequently
he officers term will likewise have expired by that
line. To remedy that defect recommend you to
BASS act whereby, upon proper hearing before
he Governor and Council or before justice of the
supreme Judicial Court, such officer may be sus-
pended from performing any official duties until the
legislature shall act upon the charge OF such Official
neg ect, and authorizing the Governor to appoint
some person to perform the duties of such officer as
n case OF vacancy created by resignation or death.
That law it now stands is of little consequence
and must so remain until amended in this or some
other way to give it vitality.
BESEFICIARIEs.
The beneficiary institutions of the State for the
care and support of the insane, the blind the deaf
lnu1h md fhn of Nlnfn
YOUTHS and for the relief of disabled soldiers their
widows and children, will claim share of your at
tention. They are all commendable objects, and
worthy of the continued aid of the State Those
who are severely afflicted from birth, or subse-
quently from some innate cause, must receive that
care and attention which in most cases only asy-
lum can atford-those waits scattered through our
without the guidance and protection of
fond and watchful parents, must be snatched from
where they will receive such instruction and. form
such habits as will render them useful members of
society, and justice to the man who has given his
life or limb in the cause OF the preservation OF our
common country demands that he and his family
should be held in grateful remembrance by the
state; 1t will be for you to determine what sums
1ue regard to the ability of the State and consistent
vito the calls of humanity
BANK EXAMINER AND INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.
The savings banks in the State appear to be in a
prosperous condition. The prompt
action of our Bank Examiner has required and af-
forded them frmer basis and doubtless saved
much loss to depostors. The large and varied in
terests of our citizens in such institutions, and in
Insurance. make the offices of Bank Examiner and
Insurance Commissioner of the first importance, as
guardians of those interests and the welfare of the
people requires that all suitable provisions should
be made to render those officers still more prompt
and efficient.
LAND AGENT.
/ am informed that all the State lands have been
sold and but little remains for land agent to do
other than collect the notes in payment Of land or
;tumpage and to execute deeds to settlers, etc. If
such information is correct, see no valid reason
why may not dispense with this Office altogether.
It would be properly within the duties Of the State
Treasurer to receive payment of such notes, and
he Secretary of State could be authorized to exc
cute conveyances whenever satisfactory evidence
should be presented to the Governor and Council
hat the terms of the sale had been actually or sub
itantially complied with. The duties thus imposed
would be so slight that do not apprehend any adj
litonal compensation clerical force would be re-
luired.
MILITIA.
Situated as are, upon the outskirts of the I'M
iona frontier State-with a largely extended sea
coast, liable-although it is bare possibility
to an incursion from foreign power, or, in COM
mon with other states, to domestic disturbance. is
we'll for to foster and encourage the organization
Of military force under control of the state, so
hat prompt action may be had in any emergency.
Dur present organization appears to afford sufficient
nucleus for this purpose If it can be kept near its
maximum. Some of the companies, however, have
,een reduced in numbers to, or below, the mini
mum. Such measures or inducements should be at
note enliStments to restore the regiment to its full
capacity From the slight inspection, which 1t has
,een my privilege to enjoy, the entlemany and SOL
lierly conduct and bearing of of the several compa
hes their regularity and pr0mptness in all the ego-
utions and manual, attest the efficiency and compe
ency of the officers, well as the ability and close
ttention of the rank and file.
BIENNIAL SESSIONS.
The last legislature submitted to the people pro
'osed amendment of the constitution whereby our
Innqal elections and sessions OF the legislature
would be changed to biennial elections and sessions
The wisdom of that body in proposing such an ate-
alton has been approved by avery large majority
II the popular vote, land it has now become part
II our constitution. Thus viii devolve upon you
he necessity of amending onr statute laws in re-
ard to the duties and tenure of office of many of
ur state and county officers in order to fully con-
orm to the intent of the amendment.
PUBLIC DEBT.
OF the public debt there will mature this year
,onds amounting to 1907 900, and by repeal OF the
ct creating sinking fund we meet this large claim
nth =, no s honds aonnfnS to sSs50oo and
i5 Sc, 900 in 1889, the larger part OF which re-
ults from the equalization of the municipal war
ebts At the time the state took upon itself the
ayment of this debt, it was confidently expected
hat the United States would assume all state war
ebts but from the history of the reduction OF the
atonal debt little prospect now remains tns d tn
he payment of our bonds with a view thaI eslch
tate must pay its own war indebtedness. 1t mas
,een the practced policy OF tins state 70 pay lss
legislature of 1875 and 1873 seems to contemplate
. want of policy, or inability to pay at maturity
A continuation of the policy our state has hereto
ore pursued appears to to be advisable If it is in
my waypractieable. To pay the whole OF this amount
his year in the present condition OF business might
perhaps impose too heavy n burden upon the peo-
de- which could be better borne by apportionlng 1t
N this and the two following years thus taxing up
hose falling due in 1888, and this undoubtedly
would be the most prudent course, and think the
people would prefer to so pay it. AS the law now
tands by act of 1873 chap. 90, these bonds may be
extended at per cent. interest," to 1890 to be then
paid in yearly installments of $500, 900. Would
not the people more readily pay 100000 yearly
low than continue paying the interest and hen
lay S290.000 annually. But whether we pay IN
,ne two or ten years, would suggest that the act
referred to reduced the rate OF interest Gered IN
former act and that we may consistently with the
market value of state and national bonds reduce
that offer still further.
Charges have been made and circulated through
out the Union that Intimidation and violence have
been used in different States to affect the results OF
their late elections. Without expressing an opinion
IS to the truth fasity of such charges, would Ie
fer to them as matter that causes grave anxiety IN
every patriotic breast and subyersion of the pr1n
,ipes of our form of government: Even IN our own
State there are like charges of fraudulent and OPP
)ressive means employed to control the action OF
he voters supported by evidence too strong and di
ect to admit Of reasonable doubt, that such is the
amentable fact and further it is too notorious to
ieny that not content with the employment OF such
criminal methods charged in elections, there
devised and actually INTO
% oyerawe and intimidate our late chief magistrate
the constitutional and legal discharge OF the du-
les of his high office. The firm and dignihed man
ler in which he and his councillors under the abuse
md indignities heaped upon them, discharged their
.eponsible duties in conformity with the constitu
ion the laws and the precedents established by his
in Office worthy of and will receive the
highest econmium of all citizens who truly have the
welfare of the State at heart The practical denial
If free right of suffrage or undue influence over the
exercise of that right whether affected by bribes,by
sctua or threatened personal Violence or by threats
If withdrawal of employment or patronage, is equal
" reprehensible. 1t is no concern of any man, for
What party candidate or principle another man may
Tote in this any other State but it'll of the high
st concern to all citizens that every man in every
state shall have and exercise with perfect freedom
he right to vote for whatever party, candidate or
principle he chooses. The people of Maine ought
lot and will not indorse that condition of affairs
Constitutional right, for the simple and sufficient
easou that whoever consents to another's being de-
poed of his rights has taken the first fatal step to-
Yards despoiiing himself of those same rights.
would recommend that you first see that our own
avs are so framed as to protect the purity OF the
,aot box in our own State, and second that you ex
by declaratory resolve the convictions of this
Legisat ure in that behalf.
FINANCE.
The conversion of $50 millions of currency into
er cent. bonds while increasing the receipts from
axaton less than three millions would add fourteen
Millions to our annual interest. The present volume
L paper currency, bank and treasury notes, is near
90 millions The policy of the banks is aggressive
nd seeks nothing less than exclusive right of the
interest upon 700 millions of per cent continuous
Y reinvested in the same class of bonds, will ac-
Emulate 10 a sum above the present total national
ebt within 80 years. This represents the value of
he right to issue our present volume of currency