Daily Kennebec journal., 1885-01-09
Governors Message.

| representatives.
In obedience to the voice of tie sovereign
people, YOU have been summoned to this car.
itoi as the law-making power of the State o,
haihe' and 1t becomes your duty to enac
sueh laws as will best promote its moral, in
'eilectual and material interests You,
presence here is the fulfilmen: of the popula,
will; and l welcome you to the. honorable
ana responsible duties of the hour
My reelection to the position of Chief Ex.
ecutive of the State, is a source of grea,
| satisfaction to me, for it is an indication of
the continued confidence ofmy fellow-citizens
ior winch take this opportunity to express
my gratitude, although l am conscious tha,
no ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of mine can measure
the honor thus co ferred. / recognize the
need at all times of humble dependence up.
on the strong arm of a wise Providence; and
IN the performance of responsible executive
duties, shall also require that assistance
winch the experience and patriotism of the
coordinate departments of the State govern
ment are able TO render, that the people NAV
ENJOY all the benefits of faithful and impair
tial administration.
| The biennial period which has interviewed
since the assembling of the last legislature of
this State, has furnished facts and data for
our thoughtful consideration. Our people
have been highly favored; the fearful epdem-
les OF other lands have not visited our bor-
ders; while other portions of our country
nave been devastated by the fury OF the ele-
ments, our State has been comparatively
unharmed We have had an abundant har-
vest, and there has been reciprocal conf
dence and friendship throughout the nation
In all the departments of trade, commerce
and social life. For these and all kindred
| blessings, let 'us, as State, render a
grateful owled cement to the Source of
All Good; being ever ready to extend sym
pathy to the suffering and unfortunate
everywhere, and, when necessary, the private
ana pubic ald OF generous people.
In MEMoRIAM.
1t is proper at this time that we should
pause, and render deserved tribute to the
memory of three of the most distinguished ex-
Governors that ever presided over the affairs
of our State. The late Hon. Lot NJ. Morrill,
passed away soon after the converting of our
last Legislature and the event was properly
noticed bv that body. 1t would seem un-
necessary to enumerate the virtues of a man
so well known and so universally respected
and beloved throughout our State. His
private and public character is a noble ex-
ample of power and excellence.
Near the pulpit of the First Universalist
church of Portland very appropriate me-
mortal tablet has been set up, which bears
the following inscription:
In MEMoRIAM
ISRAEL WASHBURN, JR
Born June 6, l9l3-Died MAY ~, 1888.
| Representative to the United States Con-
gress,
Governor of Maine.
Collector of the Port of Portland
An honored and useful life.
The people of the State of Maine bear
willing testimony to his eminent public ser
vices and high devotion to principle, for he
was always found faithfll. His loyal and
generous acts are associated with one of the
most eventful periods in the history of our
State, and the memory of our late War Gov.
ernor and his scholarly and patriotic words
and example will endure Longer than brass or
marble.
just as we were leaving our homes we were
again reminded that Death is ever busy al
his appointed work. Another man upon
whom the people have wisely conferred their
highest honors, has passed away. Hon. Alb.
ner Coburn, the representative man of the best
characteristics of New England simplicity
integrity and economy, is no more. Graded
in the adversities of earlier times. he has left
a record of bright examples which the young
men of our State may well follow His life
is a monument of great usefulness. of high
public spirit and patriotism. To his financial
ability, his indomitable courage and high
executive attainments, more than to those OF
any other one man, Maine owes her central
system of railroads. To his liberal endow.
ments many of our educational and charitable
institutions owe their developed power OF
enlarged usefulness. Called TO the office of
Governor during the most trying period OF
l.t.o I,to in, hn
ness, sagacity and patriotism of the highest
order. His life, character and achievements
are an honor to Maine, and proud is the
State that can clam the birth and citizenship
of such a man
The State from time to time has made ap
propriations for portraits of our great men,
whose public achievements and virtues en-
title their memories to be thus perpetuated,
and it would be well to consider what public
recognition shall be accorded to these men,
Appropriate and lasting memorial honors are
but lust recognition of the valuable ser
, vices of our distinguished statesmen. and add
j.. to the dignity and reputation of the State.
LEGISLATION.
Experience justifies the suggestion that all
public questions submitted for your consider
alton should receive thoughtful and careful
examination, and that the more important
/, matters of legislation should command the
attention of the early days of the session.
am aware that the salary which the members
of the Legislature receive is inadequate for
the time and money spent in the careful con
, sderation of legislative subjects, which often
times seriously affect vast public interests
The pay which members receive in many in
stances does not meet the necessary expense.
of the session. Biennial sessions in ouI
State necessarily lengthen the term of active
service of the members of the Legislature
/, and so far without additional compensation
/, The public labor incident TO the present ses
sion will probably approximate that of two
, ordinary annual sessions, and the just com.
pensation of members is among the subjects
which now might well be considered. We
should not, however, wish to invite an in
crease of legislation by more liberal salaries
for change of the public laws is not always
, beneficial. That conservatism is TO be de-
sired which refuses to set aside the old. until
something better can be substituted. Legis
lation is a sacred trust and should be careful
lv and faithfully executed; certainty and
stability should be the essential elements o.
all the laws of popular government. We
, sometimes find in recent public enactment:
serious errors of expression, ill advised anC
crude amendments, omissions, neglect to re
neal conflicting laws, inharmonious section,
and careless engrossment. These are among
H. t.&.,