The Portland daily press., 1891-01-09

| ductlOn Of this system into a library contain.
| Ing 10000 volumes, will, necessarily inyolVa
vast amount Of work and considerable al
| ditional expense, but, once established, mora
| cards can be placed In the Alphabetical cahi.
nets as new books are added to the library
| and thus the catalogue be, at all times. a
complete index Of its contents. recommend
| that an additional appropriation be made
for the temporary employment OF extra help
method OF cataloguing, aud for the purchase
Of such cabinets aud other material as may
be necessary TO Its adoption.
THE STATE MILITIA.
A gratifying advance has been made dur
in the past few years In the character and
efficiency Of the State Militia. Both officers
and men have worked with commendable
zeal for the improvement OF the service At
the annual muster In July last, the state was
honOred by a visit from Hon. Redfsld Proc
tor, Secretary Of War. A drenching rain
storm, which was 10 progress during his stay
at the camp, prevented him from reviewing
the troops. He expressed himself as much
pleased with the ground and its arrange
ment.
Inc money Appropriated by the last legls-
lature for procuring a permanent muster
ground, was expended In the purchase Of the
field used by the state for encampnent pur-
poses during the late war, and known as
Scamp Reyes" IL would be difficult. In
deed, TO fud place more admirably adapted
to this purpose. The field contains some
thing over 60 acres. 1t is an almost level
stretch of tableland, situated upon high
elevation. and commanding an excellent
view Of the surrounding country. Its soil Is
light and dry, with foe natural drainage.
The sanitary conditions are all that could be
desired. 1t was thought best TO provide this
field with such permanent buildings as
would be required at each muster. Accord
ingly, a storeh0use, four headquarters build
ings, twenty-three cook houses, two commits.
sary buildings aud four horse stables were
constructed there In tasty and substantial
manner. The expense Of these bulldogs,
together with the cost of improvements up
on the land, amounted to S8,762.6O, and was
taken from the military appropriation.
These permanent improvements Will result
In large annual saving OF expense TO the
state.
Maine is one of the very few states In the
Union whose adjutant general Is elected by
the legislature. l am convinced that this IS
wrong and contrary to the best military
usage. There appears to be no sufficient
reason why the governor OF the state sh uld
not be permitted to select mis- own chief OF
staff through whom all his orders, as COM
mander-in-chief, must be given OH eial utter
ance. / recommend that the legislature sub
init to the people of the state, at the next
election, an amendment to the constitution
authorizing the filling Of the adjutant gen.
erals office by executive appointment.
PENSIONS.
Two years ago recommended that the re-
quest Of the Grand Army Posts OF Maine for
an increase In the state pension fund should
be granted For the years 1887 and 1888 the
sum Of $4,000 wa devoted TO the worthy
work of the pension Il flee. For the past two
years the sum Of S125,0O0 has been expended
by /, an increase Of S55 600 over the two
preceding years. 1t would be difficult TO es-
innate the great good that has been accom-
plished through this generous treatment OF
the sons of Maine who were disabled in the
defense OF the Union.
The patriotic people Of the country were
rejOiced at the enactment by Congress Of the
dependent pension law on the twenty sew
enth day Of June last. Its wise and liberal
provisions have already bsen OF vast benefit
to the worthy veterans Of the late war, and
those dependent upon them for support. IL
will doubtless accomplish a still larger work
OF good In the years to come.
THE GETTYSBURG MONUMENTS.
The monuments In honor of the sons Of
Maine who fell at Gettysburg, In the heroic
defense Of the Union, were dedicated upon
hat historic field, with appropriate cere-
mony. on the third day Of October, 1882 The
occasion was favored with perfect weather,
and Its sad and solemn exercises will never
be forgotten by those who attended them.
The battle Of Gettysburg marked the great
crisis Of the Rebellion. It was here that the
armed hosts Of treason were forever beaten
back from loyal SOIL In that mighty contest,
so fraught with moment to our national life,
no troops bore more honorable part than
did those from Maine. Well may the state
cherish, In Der heart Of hearts, the immortal
memory of their glorious defense Of country
In its darkest hour Of peril. The beautiful
monuments that mark the spots where they
yielded up their lives, that the nation might
live, are but our feeble attempt to give ma
terial and visible expression to the deep and
abiding love we cherish for their memories.
We may confidently believe that, centuries
after these temporary tokens of affection
shall have crumbled into dust the heroes OF
Gettysburg will still live In the grateful re-
membrance Of a united and prosperous peo-
pie.
MILITARY AND NAVAL ORPHAN ASYLUM.
Within the vast two years have twice
visited the Military aud Naval Orphan Asy-
lum at Bath. The institution Is under excel
lent management and doing most worthy
work. 1t Is In every way deserving Of gen
erous support.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
The past two years have witnessed gem
eral and gratifying Industrial awakening
throughout the state. Many new industries
have been established, and many old ones,
which had long lain idle, have been invested
with new lease of life. The great natural
resources Of the state are coming to be more
and more appreciated as affordlng excellent
opportunities for the profitable Investment
Of capital. Our healthful climate, and the
rugged beauties OF our long sea coast, are
winning wide reputation. and constantly
increasing tide Of summer travel Is q grow
ing source OF revenue TO our people. At no
time since the war has the future Of Maine
looked brighter. Increased industries mean
increased employment for labor, which. In
turn, means an increased market for
products of all kinds. Thus, every new i'm
pulse given our Industrial life cOnduces TO
the OQnarQl sOarttU Whtla tha last
sus did not show as large growth In popu-
lation as had been hoped for, lt nevertheless
showed substantial gain. Clo>e observers
are OF the opinion that nearly all this adj
vance was made In the closing years OF the
decade, and that census taken In Its open
ing years would have shown loss. IL
this be true, 1t gives good promise OF far
better showing In the future. Now that the
exodus of our citizens has been stayed, and
we have fairly started upon an encouraging
era of home development and growth, we
may confidently look forward to rapid pro-
gress In all the material interests OF the
state. and to a corresponding incrt ase OF
prosperity growing out OF the enlarged de-
mand for labor and its products. IL will be
your duty and privilege to assist, In every
way possible, In fostering and furthering
'his movement, so full Of promise to our peo-
pie
THE WORLDS COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
Before the converting OF the next legisla-
ture, the arrangements for the great Worlds
Fair to De held In Chicago In 1893. will have
been practically completed. IL will devolve
upon you, therefore, to determine what part
Maine Is to take In that important exposi-
ton. Whatever place we may take there
should be In every way worthy OF the state
and representative of its material prosperi-
ty. While it will be your duty to exercise
wise and prudent care of state expenditures
| am convinced that 1t would be q false and
short sighted economy that would place
Maine before her sister states and the world
In position less strong than her industries
aud resources entitle her TO hold. / regard
this matter as one of great Importance and
recommend the appointment Of special
committee to consider II In all Its bearings.
RAILROADS.
The condition Of the various railroads Of
the state will fully appear 10 the able and
exhaustive report Of the railroad commits
sioners. The statistics and recommends
tiuns which 1t contains are worthy of your
thoughtful attention. Considerable has
been done during the year In the construc-
ton Of new roads and the In provement Of
old ones. The state Is now fairly supplied
with railroad communication. There Is,
nevertheless, field for further enterprise In
| this direction. Nowhere Is this more appar-
| ent than in the great fertile county of Aroos-
| took, whose varied products ara now forced
| TO seek market over Ca. adian soil. A d.
rect line over Maine territory, afording
| AroostOok convenient outlet TO the great
| markets OF the country, would give mighty
impulse to the development OF the county
II ~ a.. a-te ~ laas