The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-01-06

CACtllSut DIS INC HdlGer. IL 10 pl"iA3
direct and concise.
Beginning with an appreciative allusion
to the States great natural resources, to
the sturdy and energetic character OF
its sons and daughters, to the growing
pride of Its citizens in its past and pres
ent and their rapidly increasing conf
dence in its future, Mr.. Cleaves pro-
ceeded tourge upon the Legislature and
the people the desirability of an .ade-
quate representation of the industries,
resourc and attractions of the State at
the coming exposition at Chicago. His
remarks upon this matter ought to and
no doubt will serve to great stimulate
the interest of the people in this great
exhibition which will illustrate the won
derful growth of the country in material
wealth, and its rapid progress in every
art that contributes to the welfare and
comfort of the people.
The Governor touches upon the pro-
hibitory law, pointing out the need of a
strong public sentiment behind it to Sc
commends the efforts of the State look
ing to the general diffusion Of knowl
edge, suggesting as a valuable adjunct
to our present educational institutions
the establishment of more free public
libraries; has an appreciative word to
say of the work of the State college of
agriculture: points out the value of good
roads to the agricultural producer and to
the consumer; recommends legislation
that shall prevent extortion by means of
interest charges, and enactments that
shall throw more safeguards around the
hazardous work of railroad employees,
and commends the various industrial
interests of the State to the careful con-
sideration of the legislature, with a view \
to aiding them as far as can lawfully
and consistently be done.
The charitable and reformatory insti-
tut1ons of the State are treated thought
fully and alphabetically 1t is sug-
gested that the industries selected for
the employment OF eonvicts should be
such as will not compete with the free
labor of the State. 1t is also recon-
mended that in case of application for
pardon the attorney of the county where
the crime was committed should appear
before the Governor and Council on the
States behalf.
The address compliments the work of
the Board of Health; urges continued
aid to the veterans; recommends suitable
provision for the support of the militia
and such amendment to the militia laws
as may be needed to make them conform
to the national regulations; suggests that
the savings bank should give the prefer
enee to home investments when it can
safely be done; points out the made
quacy of the existing State banking law
and the dangers which would proceed
from currency founded upon it. Gov.
Cleaves is opposed to a-y change in the
Australian ballot law that would impose
upon the voter the marking of each in
dividual name on the ticket, assuming,
and no doubt correctly, that the prefer
ence which the great majority of the
voters desire to express is a political an
not personal one. The evils growing
out of legislation for private and special
interests are clearly pointed out, and the |
legislature is strongly urged to avoid |
that kind of legislation as much as pos
sible, reserving it's time and strength |
as far as possible for matters of public |
concern. The practice of giving special |
franchises to corporations or individuals
who have no intention of Immediately |
using them is strongly condemned, and
it is recommended that in the future
when such franchises are bestowed it be
upon the condition that they shall be
void in two years unless the holders of |
them have actually commenced business
under them. The Governor expresses
his conviction that some of our railroads |
are not paying their fair share of the |
taxes, and recommends that their assess
ment be increased. If proper economy
is practiced by the legislature the Gov
ernor thinks that the State tax can be |
reduced from two mills and three quar-
tiers, the present rate, to two mills and a |
half.
We have thus briefly adverted to the |
recommendations of the message. Here
after we may discuss some of the more
important of them at length.