Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-05
GENERAL BUFFERS INAUGURATION
Az Governor of Massachusetts,
Crowd in Attendance-His In
auguraI Address.
Bosroy, Jan 4.

been so popularity attended as Governor But
ler's. al the State House today. Hours be-
fore the time for him to appear, the hall and
passages were crowded so that motion was
difficult and the crowd overlooked down the
broad steps and even on the common. A
joint convention for the Inauguration &C.
CURED in the House Of Representatives.
which was packed. Over an hour was con-
sumed by presentations and the crowd which
could not get in gradually dispersed. At
half-past twelve the Supreme Judicial Court
entered, followed by General Butler dressed
in an evening suit, carrying a gold headed
cane and wearing his usual button hole
bouquet. He walked up the aisle and sat at
the Speakers desk amid the applause of his
friends. Distinguished guests followed, and
soon the house was packed TO the last inch.
When the guests and crowd were all in.
President Croker of the Senate administered
the oath, ard Gov. Butler signed his name to
the oath. The instant he did, his friend. APP
plauded both in the galleries and on the
door, and few seconds later the first gun of
the military salute was fired on the common.
Secretary Pierce then made a prociama-
ton that General Butler had been duly in
stalled as Governor, and warning all people.
especially the State officers, to take due no.
tice thereof. ReneSed applause followed this
Ames was inaugurated as Lieutenant Gov
ernor. Governor Butler was then presented
formally to the legislature, and proceeded to
read his address.
The following is an abstract of Gov. But
ler's inaugural. which was delivered this
afternoon: In his inaugural address Gov.
Butler first calls attention to the financial
condition of the State as shown by the treas
urer's statement. He mentions the fact that
the IIoOsac Tunnel and Troy & Greenfield
roads are in such condition as to be nom
supporting, and intimates that this and other
matters pertaining to the finance of the
State will be made the subject of a special
message to the legislature hereafter. The
question of suffrage is considered at length.
In his opinion capitation tax should be paid
~ the duty of the citizen, but not as quail
ification to his sutfrage-the penalty of
non-payment should not be acknowledgements.
Poll taxes should be assessed by cities and
towns for their proper benefit only, and not
as State and county tax, and change in
the law to that effect is recommended.
The desirabilitv of establishing free suf-
frage for all citizens at an early day as far
as possible 10 urged. and authority quoted
to show that this is Il right and immunity
guaranteed by tie constitution of the United
States.
Some notifications of registration laws
are suggested. The right of suffrage for
women is affirmed to be constitutional. An
amendment is necessary to secure the full
right for women to vote for all State and ma
tional officers, and the question whether that
amendment should be made should be left to
the women themselves te determine. 1t is
suggested that a law be passed allowing
women to vote under the same regulations
as men in municipal elections, which law
shall take effect when it shall be accepted bv
a majority Of women voting at some general
election.
He recommends that municipal and State
elections be held on the same day and that
the said day be made legal holiday.
The repeal of the restrictions of natural
izations to the superior and supreme courts
only is recommended.
The only criticism he makes upon the mi
litia is that of late there have been attempts
to make their disciplipEtoO much like that
of the regular army, W kh dsgusts militia
men with the service. and accounts for the
fewness Of numbers who appear for camp
duty. He promises to remedy this as far as
he is concerned
tie recommends an act providing that any
person convicted of train wrecking or at
tempted train-wrecking shall suffer death;
and condemns the practice.of stock gambling
or specializing upon the necessaries of life
as an offence at common law, though rarely
prosecuted.
The affairs of the various reformatory,
correctional and pauper institutions of the
State are considered and attention called to
the disproportionate amount Of salaries and
all other costs. The present statutes virtu-
ally place the trustees of these institutions
beyond the reach of executive interference.
Gov. Butler alludes to the complaints
made as to the delay of justice. This, he
says, is not the fault of the courts, but of
the system of jurisdiction under which thew
act. He proposes to give his views of
the changes and alterations of this system
to the legislature in another communication.
The executive has no power to correct
abuses, even if human and fragrant. Elk.
travagance is charged by Gov. Butler. and
figures are given tt show that the cost to
the State for the support of inmates of these
institutions is considerably greater than that
incurred in county institutions of the same
character. In regard to State prison affairs,
he asks whether characterization or sullen-
ness among convicts might not be prevented
or reduced by legislation, BY providing that
every prisoner, by steady and efficient work.
and obeying all rules and regulations, NAV
work off a portion of his sentence every
month. according to his deserts. Now, only
obedience to all rules counts. He believes
this would do more to prevent insubordina-
ton and outbreak than guards, solitary cells
or other punis hments.
He also asks; Might not q certain per.
centage of the prisoners earnings be invested
in fund, and be given to 1.-THE prisoner when
discharged, to star; in the world again, and
this percentage to be enlarged when the pris
oner becomes self-supporting?" If the legis-
lature will approve this experiment, the ex-
ecutive will give all needed support OF the
industrial school for girls. Gen. Butler saws.
1T has ou,lived its usefulness" OF the
school for idiOtic and Predetermined youths
he says, Give them an asylum with good
and kind treatment, but not school. A
well-ted, well cared for idiot is happy Great.
ure-an idiot awakened to his condition is a
miserable one"
He recommends the classification of the
insane in the various asylums. and presents.
as matter for legislative consideration, the
fact that the doors of insane establishments,
private as well as public, open altogether too
easily inward, and with too great difficulty
outward in the reception and discharge of
inmites. change in the system of audit
ing the accounts of the State is recommended;
also that provision be made for the appoint
ment of purchasing officer for all State SUD.
plies as in the interest of economy. He ad-
ylses as a measure of s.civ;I .arv,oo