The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1891-01-15

Act, maine PAID 10 tnP general govern
ment the sum OF 1857 ,U02 A bill was
passed by the United States Senate dur
ing the last session Of Congress- authoriz-
ing the refuuding, TO the several states
! of the money thus paid the general gov
eminent, and the same Is now pending
before the House of Representatives.
1t would re very advantageous 10 the
State II this bill should become a law.
and it is to be earnestly hoped 1t will be
given passage.
Hon. SILAs G. HATCH.
| On the twenty seventh day of July last,
Hon. Sil,s C. Hatch, Executive Councillor
from the Sixth District, died at his home
10 Bangor. He was an able man, pos
sessed of high minded integrity and devo-
ton to principal. He served the State as
its Treasurer and 10 the Executive Coun-
ell and Legislature for a perion of six
teen years. No man had clearer insight
into its affairs than he. Maine may well
hold in honored remembrance the record
of his distinguished services.
SAVINGS BANKS.
The Savings Banks OF the State will be-
shown by the able and interesting report
of the Bank Examiner, to be in prosper
Gus condition. The total deposits now
amount TO SAT ,78l 1856. 90. This is an in
crease of 81, S04 ,08l.Sl over the amount
at the close of the year 1889. The total
number of depositors In lao, 52l, gain
from last year Of 1929. The total amount
of State tax paid In 1890 was 1928 $40 0S,
an increase of S27 1883 over 1889. The
total amount of municipal taxes paid in
1890 was Sl3 5l7 l3. The Bank Exsmin-
er finds that, as a rule, wise and con-
sentative policy prevails In the manage
ment of our Savings ranks. Owing to
the condition of the market that has pre-
| vailed during the past few years. the
temptation has been very strong to secure
greater returns at the risk of safety. This
temptation cannot be too strongly guard.
ed against. No part of the securities OF
our Savings Banks should be of an I'M
certain or speculative character. The
deposits intrusted to these banko repre-
sent the Accommodations that have grown
out Of the industry and enterprise of the
State, and should be watched over with
jealous care.
AGRICULTURE.
Agriculture is Names foremost ma
terial interest. Upwards of eighty thous-
and of our citizens are actively engaged
In its pursuits. Whatever can be done,
therefore, to further promote this i'm
portant industry Of the State will con-
tribute directly to the general prosperity
of our citizens. During the past decade
| a substantial advance has been made by
our farmers in the use of labor saving
machinery, and in the adoption of i'm
| proved and scientific methods of cultiya-
ton. The gratifying growth Of manu-
featuring centers in Maine, during the
past few years, and the strong reason we
have to hope for still further develop
ment of this character, are full OF en-
couragement to our agricultural Interests.
With an enlarging market for home pro-
ducts there ls reason to believe that the
pursuits Of husbandry may become more
remunerative to the large number OF our
citizens engaged in them. An important
factor in the advancement of agriculture
has been the Grange, with nearly 1000
members Its discussions and interchange
of views have been of great benefit to
farmers both ndustrially and socially.
A desire has been felt among the farm
ers of the State to have the Secretary OF
the Board of Agriculture given an in
caease Of salary and assigned permanent
quarters at the State House, thus enabl-
ing him to devote his whole time to the
important duties of his Office. Such a
change appears to me In all respects de-
sirable, and commend 1t to your favor
able consideration.
STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.
On the thirteenth day of August last q
bill was passed by the Congress of the
United States, appropriatig portion OF
the proceeds of the public lands to the
more complete endowment and support
VI the colleges for the benefit Of agricult
ure and the mechanic arts, established
under the provisions of an act of Con
gress approved July 2, 1862. By virtue
If this act the Maine State College O.
Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts vii
receive the sum of fifteen thousand dol
lars for the year ending June 80 1890
and an annual increase of the amount o
such appropriation for ten years by al
additional sum of one Thousand dollar
over the preceding year, until 1t amount.
to twenty five thousand dollars, at whicl
annual sum 1t will remain thereafte
without further increase.
In addition to this, the general govern
ment supports the Agricultural Expert
ment Station, located at this college, a
, an annual expense of fifteen thousan
dollars. This wise and generous actiol
on the part of the national government
, will place the college in good tinancia
condition and will be material relief tt
the tax payers of the State.
f As no part OF the appropriations to b
made by Congress under the act of lS9
can be used for the erection OF buildings
= the Legislature will be called upon to re
place the one known as Wingate Hal
, which was destroyed by fire in Februar
r,ft ha inc Wi
, De made known to you through the re
laid before you.
LABOR BUREAU.
The Labor Bureau, created, as the la,
plainly indicates, for the benefit of tn
working people of the States, is doing
valuable work. as the reports of the Con
missioner will demonstrate. These bt
reaus, including that of the Unite
States, now number tw nty-two In tn
whole country. The Importance Of theI
work In collecting statistics relating t
the various departments Of labor, an
lnquiring into violations of the statute
providing for 1.-The regulation of til
hours Of labor and the employment o
women aud children" have caused ther
to become recognized is indispensable
national and State institutions, and en-
title them to a liberal outlay for thei
support and maintenance.
| PROHIBITION.
The past year has been an importan
one for the temp erance interests of GU
State. For the first time since the adop
ton of the prohibitory amendment t
our Constitution, the people of Main
have been afforded an opportunity to pro
uounce at the polls upon a movemeu
looking to its repeal. and the substitution
of the high license system. There wa,
| no uncertainty In their decision. By ar
emphatic majority they declared their be
lief that the best interests Of temperance
in this State, aud the highest welfare OF
all our citizens, demand the maintenance
Of prohibition.
| 1t cannot he denied that the law for the
suppression of the liquor traffic is often
violated, and that officials charged with
In duty. But 1t Is undoubtedly true that
this condition Of affairs Is mostly conflued
to our cities and larger villages. In 9TH
er places the law appears to have been
faithfully and successfully administered.
Curing the past two years have person
ally written the officials In the various
counties upon whom was devolved the
duty Of enforcing the law, urging the
vital importance Of the suppression of
the dram shop. did this that such OH
GERS might clearly understand that they
would have the support Of the Executive
Department of the State in all their eff.
forts to enforce prohibition.
That the various officers Of the State,
upon whom devolve this duty, have &C.
complished . great deal In tho enforce.
ment Of the law. Is everywhere conceded.
It 10. nevertheless necessary to the high