Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-10
Message Of Governor Long of
Massachusetts,.

The second message Of Gov. Long was de-
livered to the legislature last Thursday. 1t
has many matters in it that will interest our
people. The aggregate debt of the State on
Jan. was $50, 799, 46& There is n small de-
fcit to be made good by taxation. caused by
the failure to dispose of the old State prison
1t Charleatown, for which no bidders have
appeared. The funded debt has been les
sened No temporary loans are called for.
The old Commonwealth has kept all her en-
gagements. The receipts for the year show
q marked increase, and the estimates for 1887
show q deficit of only s2i ,55l % to be raised
by taxation. as against deficit of S3l6.392
two years ago. tax levy not exceeding
81 600. 600 will. therefore. be ample. Re-
viewing the public institutions the Governor
calls attention to the improved financial
showing Of the State prison. now almost self
sustaining. last years deficit being reduced
one-half He reviews his last years sugges-
ton Of the desirability of classifying prison.
era and separating the younger from the older
offenders with a view to their reclamation
from vicious courses, and he hints at the
Ftchburg House Of Correction as 4 fitting
place to try the experiment He recommends
. Limitation Of the power of the County Com
missioners to discharge convicts under SEN
tence for lighter offenses. and a change in the
Law reducing the penalty for drunkenness by
requiring the defendant to show that he~has
not been previously convicted. During the
wear the total amount Of savings hank depos-
its was increasedPby gil. 6e9. 2la ~. and the
total number Of depositors BY 3O.siO. These
institutions have fully recovered their nor
mally healthy condition. There are $50
public schools in the State. with 306. 40
pupils. taught by s.595 teachers at cost Of
A4,5l9,4l3 o5. the average annual cost for
each pupil being Sl4.5&.
The Hoosac Tunnel and Troy and Green
field Railroad. the Governor says. has in
creased its aggregate earnings the past year.
even at q lower rate of tolls. The general
condition Of the road is much improved. and
the total receipts for the year only fell short
Of the expenditures by s5.1s2..6. During
the whole period of the present management
the road has yielded net profit to the State
Of 81 .Ssl.9i5. The insurance companies do
ing business in the State wrote during 1850
more than - 900 900 900 in risks on property
and lives. Of which cne-eighth was written nv
Massachusetts companies No important
leeislation Is recommended touching this vast
interest The address again suggests the re-
peal Of the law for the attachment Of wages,
and advises legislation for the better casting.
keeping, and counting Of ballots at public
elections: recommends the referri ,g of the
question Of . license or prohibition in each
municipality TO the popular vote, instead
Of to the Aldermen. and that the
.Screen" Law be made compulsory; also,
that licensed dealers he required
to give bonds for the payment Of damages
recovered under the Civil Damage act
He urges q more thorough enforcement of the
liquor laws. He records his doubt of the
wisdom Of the amendment providing for BIZ
ennial elections, reviews the proposition to
recognize the Executive Council by compos-
ing Il Of elective heads Of departments. and
also recommending that these department
heals have seats In the Legislature. with the
right to speak on questions touching their
branches Of the State Government. He
sueRests Law recognizing the custom Of
permauence in appointive ofllces during good
behavior: indorees the proposal to give
property holding women the right Of suffrage:
proposes . change in the Law Of capital
punishment. giving juries the right practically
TO elect whether murderer shall be hanged
q imprisoned for life calls for an appropri
alton 70 enable the State to participate in the
Yoektown ceeeenninl. and closes with strong