The Portland daily press., 1891-01-09
Gov RurIeigh'S Address.

Gov. Burleigh's address to the legislature
is clear. straightforward statement, with.
out undo length, of the condition of State
affairs. with recommendations of such
legislation as he believes will conduce to the
welfare OF the commonwealth. There is
little to complain of in the general financial
condition Of the State, as presented
In the message, though the reckless
ness of the legislature in appropriating
money two years ago, led to a deficiency
which had to be supplied by temporary
loan. We wish we could believe that that
legislation was due to inadvertence, but the
circumstances surrounding it were such as to
raise suspicion that the people who
inspired 1t cared very little whether 1t re-
suited in treasury deficiency or not The
Governor recommends that an additional an
preparation be made this winter to render
the old State House fire proof and make it
more In consonance with It's new surround
ings. Reasonable appropriations for these
purposes will not perhaps be objectionable.
but we are inclined to think t at the dome
will have to worry along wit out a covering
of gold leaf
The State institutions are rerolt-d to be in
good condition and well man eed. The in
sane asylum is full to OVERLOOKING, and soon.
If not Immediately, more room will be need
ed. 1t Is to be hoped that no more wings
will be added to the August, asylum, which
Is already too large for safety md the proper
care OF the inmat-s, but that new hospital
will be built. The Governors recommenda-
tions concerning this and other State insti.
buttons are wise and conservative.
The need of some reform In our tax system
and our electoral system the Governor noints
out with much clearness and force HE
criticism of the imperiections of the former
are well founded, but unless great care ia
exercised the remedies offered by the legisla.
ture may be such as will serve only to inten.
silly the present defects and Inequalities
The Governor takes strong aud un-ouiyocal
ground In favor of the Australian ballot svs-
TEN, pointing to its success In other States
and the Improvement which it has wrouebt
therein, as convincing reasons why it should
Dc adopted In this State, The Governor
says truly that the Australian system comes
nearer to securing to every voter the oppor
tunity to express, his unbiased personal
convictions than any other system vet de-
vised "and that there is no reason to doubt
that under its wholesome operation, intlmi-
dalton and bribery will be practically unable
to influence elections, and voters will be
freed from unpleasant espionage at the
polls" The arguments presented by the
Governor In favor of this system, are We be-
lieve, uDanswerable.
We have only touched upon few Of the
salient points of the message. There are
many Others equally worthy of the consider
alton OF the citizen which are treated BY the
Governor and which the careful perutal of
the ADDRESS will disclose. We commend the
message TO every citizen of the state who is
interested IN It's welfare and prosperity.
we believe 1t will cordially Commend itself
70 every enc who reads it, by reason of its
Clear anu concise statement of fart. and its
wise, prudent aud conservative r.com
datiOls,