The Portland daily press., 1889-01-04
duty. Withholding from them what they need

monuments onsthe field of Gettysburg in honor
OF the sons of Maine who fell there / am
sure that It will be pleasure as we'll as duty
on 'he part OF the legislature to do all in their
power 70 perpetuate the heroic valor of the
otate as exhibited by her soldiers on the blood
lest oatue field of the war. Unwilling to
onenu the pride of any section, there has been
no attempt to place monuments on the battle
neius OF the South, where SO many of the flower
OF the land laid down their lives
that the nation might live. But
on the field of the only great battle fought
IN the loyal States, where patriotic traditions
VIII Always be Loyalty cherished, il is fit that
monuments be erected to teach future genera
lions that In the last half of the nineteenth
century men were ready to do and dare and
die for the American Union of States.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Our public institutions are all answering in
iuli measure the objects for which they were
established and l recommend them to the close
examination and earnest care Of the legislature.
The administration of the trusts reposed in the
ofhcers who conduct these institutions can now
be examined by the supreme law-making
power OF the State but once in two years. in
lieu OF the former annual examination, and for
TINS reason closer inspection and more thor
ough investigation into their affairs should be
several reports of these institutions will be laid
before you. Rigid scrutiny implies no distrust
or censure but leads to that form of we'll
grounded approval which every servant of the
state desires as his honorable justification.
INSANE HOSPITAL.
call your especial attention to the report
lof the superintendent and trustees of the
hospital for the insane, and, in this connection
l renew a recommendation made by Governor
Bodwell in favor of some provision for sepa-
rating the class known as the criminal insane
from daily association with the ordinary
patients. The practice is improper, demoraliz-
ing and in many respects dangerous. A homi-
eide who is acquitted of the moral guilt of his
act because of his insanity, should certainly
not be allowed the opportunity of finding
victim for second offence among the inno-
cent patients who deserve our commiseration
and our protection. The superintendent of
the hospital who has hundreds Of
patients in charge, and whose duties
are hot only irksome and wearisome,
but require large degree of professional
Skill is paid but 81 600 per annum. In many
similar institutions, with even less labor, the
salary of the superintendent is double or treble
this amount. The civil government of Maine
has never favored high salaries. but l submit,
that, with full regard to both justice and
economy, four hundred dollars per annum,
may be added to the salary of the
superintendent.
THE STATE PRISON.
The report of the warden of the State prison
will be laid before you. The administration of
the prison for several years past has been as
successful in every respect as could reasonably
be hoped for. The institution has in an en-
couraging number of cases proved reformatory
as well as penal. All forms of imprisonment
that lack the reformatory feature fall short of
one of the great purposes for which punish
ment is designed. The convict should at the
end of his term be better man morally than
he was when he entered the prison, or else his
imprisonment has not been of lasting advan-
tage to society.
THE STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
This institution as is shown by the report of
its superintendent is in excellent condition.
Here the lightest form of restraint is imposed
consistent with the ends for which the institu-
ton is designed The school has now been in
existence for more than a generation and on
every hand we have the most abundant evil
dence that il has been the instrumentality of
turning large number of Maynard youths
from criminal paths and restoring them to So
ciety as useful and upright men.
iNDuSlhlAL STIMULI tOh 6lhLS.
Though limited in its scope, this institution
has been extraordinarily useful, and has
proved itself in all respects worthy to receive
the continued patronage of the State.
1t is founded in spirit = of
true benevolence and philanthropy
and there are many persons in the State who
desire the legislature to extend its bene6cent
provisions to larger class. The founding of
new institution is matter which should
always receive the most careful consideration.
/ can only recommend the subject to your
earnest attention and investigation. Whether
the prospective benefit justifes the imposition
of an additional burden upon the tax payer, is
for the law-making power to carefully
consider.
LABOR BUREAU.
The labor bureau. which was established BY
the last legislature has done valuable work
for the Statesas the report of the commissioner
will demonstrate. l suggest that the State
may, with great profit give wider scope to
the operations of the bureau. / commend the
subject to your thoughtful consideration.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
The State board of health is doing valuable
work and should be literally sustained.
Maine bears the just reputation of being one
of the most healthfu States in the Union, and
summer resort of singularly attractive
features, both of climate and scenery.
Wherever there is the slightest danger of
infection of any kind, the board of health is
present to advise endto aid in its eradication,
thus zealously guarding the health of our
people, and at the same time giving assur-
ance of complete safety and immunity from
disease to the increasing thousands, who
annually seek summer home within our
borders.
WASTE OF FOREST GROWTH BY FIRE.
The waste of forest growth from preventible
fires is very great. By the United States CEN
sus of 1880 it was estimated to exceed for the
whole country ten million acres annually.
Our own State has suffered very largely
from this source. l recommend that
you carefully consider the subject with
view of adding to the efficiency of existing
statutes to prevent the careless setting of fires,
and to add such new provisions as experience
may prove advantageous and practical.
FISHERIES AND GAME.
The interesting reports of the commissioners
of fisheries and game and the commissioner of
sea and shore fisheries are commended to your
consideration. Everything which tends TO
increase our fish supply in sea and river,
brook and lake, should have the earnest
support of the State. Every measure which
may tend to preserve and increase the wild
game of our forests should be heartily
encouraged. The great object to be attained is
afigidly careful observance of the fishing and
shooting seasons as prescribed by law. In
connection with the game of the State.
l commend to you the suggestions of the
commissioners in regard to the moiety
of the penalties for violation of the law being
allowed TO the game wardens. The enforce.
ment Of the game laws almost wholly depends
upon the vigilance of the wardens and that
vigilance should be stimulated in every lawful
and practicable way. Simply to pay them one
dollar and half per day, whether they
succeed in arresting an offender or not, is a
poor way to increase their activity and watch4
fulness. | suggest to you whether the former
law on this subject may not be restored with
advantage to the State.
FISHERIES.
Since the adjournment of the last legislature,
treaty was negotiated between commission
ers appointed by the President of the United
States and commissioners appointed by the
Queen of England on the subject of the fish
cries. Its provisions were regarded as so hos
tile to the interests of American fishermen.
that the Senate of the United States rejected
it by a majority vote, when one vote more
than third would have been sufficient to
prevent its confirmation. 1t has seldom oc4
CURED in our history that treaty approved
by the executive branches of the two govern
ments has met with such stern disapprobation
at the hands of the confirming power in the