Daily Kennebec journal., 1885-01-09

in deposits of ssl, 900 900; in five wears a
increase of nearly 0,0OO. goo. and furths
comparison shows an increase of So, 400 945
As over the tnt,l d posits of two wears agt
The number of banks is fifly-tour Tn
present number of depositors having open az
counts is los, $50, or sbont one-sixth of ou
entire population. The average amount t
each depositor is S3ll.64. which is conclu
sive evidence that this vast loan fund is tn
accumulation of the increasing earnings o.
our industrial classes of moderate means
The laws have wisely provided that all in
| vestments should be made in securities of the
highest character, and although this direction
may not secure the highest rate of interest, i
is necessary for safety. The banks, however
are able to pay to the depostors four pc
centum, and hold q reserve fund, for the pro
lection of depositors against possible losses
of 81, 100, 900. The careful management ant
sound condition of the affairs of the saving,
banks are assured BY the value of their as
sets, representing more than $1,000. 900 in
excess of their actual liabilities; this is ar
accumulated profit of l2 per centum. and be
longs to the depositors, when divided, Tue
aggregate dividends paid to the depositors the
past year was 81, ,2S4. .444 50; and the State
has received, for taX-s upon deposits as a
part of our school fand, Sl9I .Sl7 7.6S-a lsrg-
er revenue than it ever before received in s
single year from that source. The saving.
banks OF Maine were never more worthy OF
the confidence of the public than at the pres
ent time. A system which shows such results
is great success, and measures the thrift and
economy of our people. The legislature
which. in a measure, is the guar iiau of the
property of the people, should continue to
exercise great care that these institutions are
protected by wise and careful legislati IN, but
for the present there seems TO be no necessity
for any change of law.
MILITARY.
The experience of the past year in several
States of this Union. demonstrates that large
populations are subject to internal disorders
and riots, beyond the control of civil authori-
ty. The action of the general government in
prohibiting the assistance of national troops
In the several States, as posse comitatuS, Il
suppress riots and secure obedience to local
law, renders it imperative upon the State to
provide etfectual means to protect the lives
and property of its citizens from internal vio-
lence. Two regiments of the State militia,
of eight companies each, one unattached
company, and one four-gun battery of light
artillery of two platopns. located at Lew iston
and Brunswick, numbering in all 1912 Off
GERS and men as against 963 in 1888. are fully
armed and equipped and constitute . brigade
under the command of Gen. John Marshall
Brown, an officer of great merit. There are
also five uniformed companies of reserve
militia, well-organzed and equipped, mum
bering 247 officers and men, The las
enrolment of our State militia mum
Tha 1,t,a -,
the State constitutes division and is under
the command of Maj. Gen. Joshua l.. Cham
berlsn. to whom the State is greatly indebt
ed for its efficient military organization.
The two yearly encampments at Augusta
since our last session, were well attended
and the several reports of experienced army
officers who were present, speak favorably OF
the military discipline and efficiency in tn,
school of the soldier. displayed by the sever
al companies.
The expense of providing for the military
arm of the State, may appear large, but by
close comparison, we find it falls short Ut tina
of other States, of less population and vaiua
tion, and in no case are we excessive in ex
penditure. Our military expenditure fol
1888 was 1874 46 for 963 officers and men
cost per man Sl6.59. For the same year the
Stateof New Hampshire expended S25 900 fol
| 1874 officers and men; cost per man, $2l. so
Massachusetts,, Sl4l 1886 10 for 1892 officer.
and men; cost per man, S36.44. Rhode
Island S24 600 for 1874 officers and men
cost per man 20.90
In our country the sentiment of the people
is opposed to a large standing army; it il
therefore more important for our permanent
security that there should always be nutle
US of defence in volunteer organization
| ia.
should be so efficient in military science
that in the hour of danger he may be able t.
impart to raw recruits that essential knowl
edge which proved so valuable in the recen
war. Military education and disciplin,
should be encouraged by every patriotic citi
zen of the State. The day of wars is no
over. history will sooner or later repea
itself, and there is no immunity from foreigl
or internal foes.
MAINE STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AMI
MECHANIC ARTS.
The claims of this College for continued
public support may well rest upon its merits
| and what it has done for the State. 1t ha
graduated 206 students. OF this numbe
who are in active business, III per centun
only are engaged in the so-called professional
pursuits, while SO per centum are engage,
| IN varied industries, IN WnlCn agrlCultur,
and mechanical pursuits are well repre-
sented. Quite a number of students hav,
been, heretofore, connected with the Colieg,
whose means, unfortunately, were no
adequate to complete full course of study
| The generosity of the State has lessened tn,
burdens of such, and Of many graduates from
| industrial homes, who have been ambitious
| but could not otherwise acquire the necessary
| know ledge to become skilful in the practica
pursuits of life. The whole number Of stu
dents who have enjoyed the advantages o
this Institution is 532, which does not includ
80 students now catalogued in the College
| The Institution has received from the Stat
| S200,3lS, and there has been expended oil
grounds, buildings, apparatus, stock, etc.
| Sl50,000. The appropriations from tn
State for current expenses have been les
than $500 per annum. The State o
Michigan, like our own State, has taken
deep interest in its Agricultural College, an
| has appropriated during the past twenty
eight years for it 1909 1873, in cash, or S2l
| 7S0 per annum OF this sum about Sll 0O
has been requir ID annually for current ex
penses. This comparison might be extended
but it would simply show what other State
are doing, and perhaps should be stimulus
as far As our own means will permit for ou
! State to do likewise. The receipts from tht
endowment fund and tuition are not sufficie
| to meet the expenses of instruction and tn
many and necessary current expenses of tn
| Institution. The State will be Obliged 4
take care of this deficiency in order to pre-
serve this valuable Institution for the ad