Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-09

people of our State 10 the prin pes of prohibition
am able say that during the past year there nave
been Sis prosecutions for violating the liquor law
and 100 prosecutions for maintaining nuisances max
ing total OF ISL cases. against an average Oh PC 10.
the past six years And this increased number OF
prosecutions has had good influence upon the
amount of other crime in the State. Oar example
has been poten. in the promotion of temperance re-
form in other States and the "Maine law" which
in earlier tmes looked upon as premature, or
too progressive legislation is now poiated to with
pride by the faithful advocates of temperance not
only at home, but in foreign countries. Its claim
for public support rests upon its good effects In our
own State and wherever else 1t mas been adopteo.
The value of the prohbitory law has been shown by
the restrictions imposed ION the sale of ntoxicat
ing liquors throughout the State. Statistics furnish
US with conclusive evidence that lar less in!oxica-
ton and its fruitful evil consequences exist, than
were seen in earlier periods In no city or town in
our state does Que see the open advertisements OF
the bar-room inviting the young, as well as the OLD;
to indulge in a habit degrading the habitual
of into Xicating liquors. Criminal statistics snow
that the law has been beneficial In restraining
crime, and the number OF indictments found against
the voatOrs of the law in all OF our courts and the
fines and costs, sentences of imprisonment I'M
posed, prove the general Willingness of the people to
assist in its enforcement. The present prohibitory
law is the growth of thirty years, the original
law of 1851, having been followed by thirty.nine
statutes in reference to ntoxica.ion and the sale OF
! intoxicating liquors The present law may. there
fore, be considered sufficient to cover all violations
| of Its provisions that can possibly occur, and ITS
those officers whose duty 1t is to execute the laws OF
| the State. The laws of the state are well dehned
and emphatic and should compel officers, not only
BY sense OF duty and honor, but by the religious
regard for sacred oath to specially enforce the
provisions of the prohibOry statute In very few
localities its general enforcement is disregarded
Special provisions have been incorporated into the
law remedy this negligence on the part OF county
and municipal officers, and the Governor and Council
have frequently been called upon to appoint special
con stables to enforce it. In some such officers
| have been appointed, and always when needed and
practicable. While l would not recommend the
repeal of that portion OF the law, have failed to
see its good effects even when an opportunity has
been given to test it. An appointment of this kind
brings with it an implied unpleasant censure and
reprimand not only to the officers but to the citizens
of the locality thus temporarily placed under the
guardianship of the State This is considered so
citizens apt to fall back into inactivity and
leave the STAGE constable single handed, 10 execute
the law. Every endeavor should be made to secure
the enforcement of the prohbtory law by the regu
larly chosen officers. Public sentiment has much
to do with this question; the enforcement or nom
enforcement of prohibition in any locality depends
upon the general disposition OF the people, Pro
hlbitiOn is no longer question for political cam.
pagn; ii is forever settled and cannot be changed
until the people give their consent. Ii anything
further can be done to increase the sobrety ana
morality of the people by temperance iegi lation
hope It will receive your careful consideration IL
should not be forgotten that too frequent changes
destroy the efficiency and moral power of
enforcing laws and that "no principle of criminal
law is better settled than that the certainty of pu
ishment is more important than severity" one
objection TO the constabulary law could be removed
by requiring State consables to give sufficient bonds
faithful performance OF duty Is requi ed OF all
county and municipal officers of like character.
Provisions should also be made for removal from
Office for good and sufficient reasons.
LAW DEPARTMENT..
have the honor 10 submit the valu ,ble report of
the Attorney General of the State. who e dis
tingushed services for the past five years. requiring
a vast amount of labor, have contributed much to
the welfare of the State and to his honor ami
nartIculariy
of his report which relates to the seemingly unjust
enforcement of the law relating to apothecares and
treasurers of business corporations.
MAINE GENERAL HOSPITAL.
This Institution by private benevolence has very
much enlarged its facilities for curing and ameorat
ing human suffering, and its advantages are now
State 1t is one OF the best institutions OF the kind
in the country, and | would recommend that the
appropriation of last year be continued, if not in
creased, that its advantages may be enjoyed by
every class of people.
FEMALE SUFFRAGE.
| would call your attention to the necessity of
some change of our laws which would and should
give woman increased opportunities to discharge
noble conflict every field of moral. intellectual
and social effort, woman has won equal hOnors with
the other SEX and established by works her right to
| a just recognition and equality which selfish rule
has heretofore prevented Intelligence of the citizen
the Gully basis OF suffrage, and if equality is
assured, let us not ignore it's logical consequences
but give to woman all the rights Of citizenship To
this end, step in the right direction, would ask
the passage of general law recognizing the eigi-
bility of woman to hold any Office not prohibited by
the constitution.
SUPPORT OF PAUPERs IN UNINCoRPoRATED
PLACES.
The appropriation for Support of paupers in un.
incorporated places should be increased from 000
possibly 81 500, to meet the prospective demands
which must arise from the creation, by the laws
passed by the last Legislature, of an entirely new
| class of State pauper claims.
FoOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.
This dreaded malady introduced into the
State by herd OF cattle imported ON abroad. 1t
first made its appearance in the towns of Westbrook
and Falmouth, last February. By prompt and we'll
directed efforts on the part of the State and town
| officials, the disease satisfactorily controlled
| The expense and damage has been adjusted at
cost of $5545.74 The State is liable for e4,o6s.3l,
| as its proportion of this amount. l would ask for
an early appropriation to adjust this demand against
the State.
DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.
Insurance of life and property is now so general
that the state should protect the people against i'm
position. At the present time the companies per-
mtted to do business in the State are believed to
be sound Life assurance by mutual benefit
Citations may be encouraged if organized within the
state, but those organized or conducted in other
States, unless connected with some recognized
charitable order should be prohibited under heavy
penalties from operating in this State.
CORPORATIONS.
panies Tor various objects have been Incorporated
by special act. or organized under general law, a
large majority of which exist to-day only in name
| and without any financial standing. Such corpo-
| rations increasing at the rate of about two
hundred year. Our laws in this respect are very
loose, and should receive your attention. They
qure neither paid up capital stock nor intention to
do business in this State the prerequisite of
organization, and thereby Ofrr opportunity tor the
formation of fraudulent corporations, by which our
people and those of other states liable 10 be
detrsuded. The law should require the payment of
portion of the capital stock before organization,
and the charter fee to the State should be increased
to respectable figure, revenue towards lessen.
ing public burdens.
LABOR.
The employment of women and minors by our man.
ufacturing corporations has created considerable
criticism In consequence of the violation of the law
restricting them each day to limited period of
labor and would suggest the matter be sufficiently
considered to the end that the law shall be rgidly
enforced by additional enactments so that the hours
to be fixed for labor correspond with the best inter.
ests of the laboring classes.
TAXES.