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

Gov. Robes Address.
We give this morning the admirable
inaugural Address of the Governor in full.
1t is one that will repay careful perusal,
and is much praised by those who heard
it.
After abiding in fitting terms to the
three ex-Governors who have passed away
since the Legislature last assembled, the
Governor calls attention to the finances Of
the State. The actual net Indebtedness of
the State was reduced in the past two
years by the amount of 1875 610.99. The
reduction Of the bonded debt in the same
time was s735.9l5.
Savings banks in the State are in a
fourishing condition, reports showing an
increase in deposits of nearly three and a
half millions in two years. Attention is
urged to the needs of the State College
and the Industrial School, with tn, other
public institutions The excellent cond-
ton of all these is specially remarked
vpon Establishment of an agricultural
experiment station in connection with the
State College is advocated, as such action
would be very advantageous to the agri-
cultural interests of our State.
Maine has steadily progressed in the
lines of manufacturing and education,
and commerce. As regards the last, we
have been favored by national legislation,
though it is too evident that there is need
OF some action which shall arrest the de-
cline of the country as whole in the
industry of ship building.
The Governor recommends that the
mater of pensions be attended to, and
that sufficient appropriation be made for
deserving cases. In regard to the Indians,
marked improvement is noted in their
condition. 1t is advised that authority be
given to the Governor and Council to APP.
point a reliable Indian as a special consta.
BILE to enforce the usual police regulations
among the tribes The sale and use OF
intoxicating liquors are the cause of much
mischief among these children of the
forest
The majority of votes in favor of the
constitutional amendment at the last cleo
ton. indicates the strong feeling Of the
people in favor of prohibition of the
liquor traffic. There has been total OF
9Sl prosecutions during the past year, and
this increased number has had good in
fluence on other classes OF crime. The
law on this subject, a growth of ovel
thirty years, is now sufficient to cover al
violations of its provisions. Its only weak
ness seems to lie in cases of non-enforce
ment. And although special provisions
have been made to remedy this neglect, the
goodresuts of appointing special consta.
bles have not been 50 evident as might have
been expected. The reason assigned tol
this is that the rebuke to the existing Off.
GERS, implied in such appointments. is SO
offensive in most cases that both munich
pal officers and citizens are apt to remain
idle, and leave the State constable to exc
cute the law alone. The Governor con
sdcrs that strict enforcement of the law
by the proper officers, aided by active pub
lie sentiment, would be much the most eff
fcient means of dealing with the ques-
ton,
There still appears to be an inequality
in the amount of taxation resting upon the
citizens of this State. Some relief in the
matter was given by legislation in 1874
by the taxation OF corporations not before
subject to such demands. This policy
should be regulated so as to give an in
creased revenue, and other means devised
for defraying the State expenses without
imposing so heavy a burden on the towns
and cities.
The present very loose laws relating to
corporations demand attention. Such
corporations are increasing at the rate of
about two hundred year. 1t is not re.
quired by law that their capital stock be
paid up. nor that they have intention Of
doing business in the State, and thus op.
portunities are given for the formation Of
fraudulent corporations.
There is matter that appeals to US
mos, strongly as citizens of the Union, land
increases our responsibility as self gov
erned people. This is the great amount
of vice arising from illiteracy and igno
rance. In this country are seven and &
halfmillion Of children outside the schools
one-tenth of our population above the age
of ten cannot read or write; thirty-two
per cert of the voters in the former slave