The Portland daily press., 1895-01-04

Guard now consists of two regiments of infan
| try, of eleven companies each. The law CON
| templates that each regiment shall be com
| posed of not less than twelve companies; but
| this desirable object could not be accomplished
| without exceeding the appropriation, which
| was not deemed advisable. A successful en-
| campment was held at Augusta, in August
| last. highly creditable to the officers, the men
| and to the State
Cantain Charles B. Hall of the United States
Army was detailed by the Secretary of War
| for duty i'll the State, and rendered three
| months efficient service. LII his report to the
| War Department., he gives deserved recogni.
ton of the great improvement in the National
| Guard during the past two years.
The military organization is composed of
active and intelligent young men, devoted to
| the service, and is entitled to the support Of
| the State.
| recommend that the regular appro priation
for the support of this branch of the service
| be made equal to one-tenth of mill on the
valuation, instead of one-twelfth, as now pro-
| vided An increase in the appropriation for
| military purposes will be necessary if we are
| to maintain an efficient National Guard.
While we can rely upon the intelligence and
| sound Judgment of the people OF Maine to
| preserve good order and the public peace,
| yet, should any unfortunate conditions arise,
| demanding the services of armed troops, we
| should be prepared to act promptly and effect.
relied upon in any emergency.
The able report of the Adjutant General
will give you complete information of the
condition of this important organization.
The Veteran Soldiers
During the years that have interviewed since
the close of the great conflict for the preserva.
ton of the Union, the soldiers of Maine who
participated in that struggle, their widows and
orphans in their hour of need, have had the
protecting care of the State. The people are
still loyal to the assurances then given, and
will continue to recognize the services rem.
dered and the sacrifices made by those gallant
men. The usual appropriation for this pur.
pose for the past few years has been from sixty
thousand to sixty-fve thousand dollars an
nually. 1t is paid out through the municipal
officers of the various cities and towns of the
State, under the direction and supervision of
the Governor and Council and the Pension
Agent
From my observation during the past two
years in the disbursement of this sum, doubt
if any appropriation of an equal amount made
by the Legislature Sl4veS> a more useful and
deserving purpose 1t relieves the homes of
many of the unfortunate from want, and
numerous households from suffering. Ad.
vancing age and bodily infirmities have caused
an increased demand upon this fund for the
past two years, and some urgent and meritor-
ious calls could not be favorably answered.
1 therefore recommend an increase in the APP
preparation Of five Thousand dollars, for each
of the years 1895 and 1896.
The State has declared that it will bear the
necessary burial expenses of every destitute
citizen of hers, who served in the army, navy
or marine corps of the United States, during
the rebellion and was honorably discharged.
The present statute requires the Legislature
to appropriate the necessary money therefor.
The sum now devoted to this purpose is in
sufficient, and l recommend an annual in
crease of one Thousand dollars, in the sppro
priation.
Suffrage
The right of suffrage, the right to have q
voice in the affairs Of the Government, is one
of the highest privileges bestowed upon the
citizen. The established method that existed
in our State for generations, of permitting thu
expression of political preferences at the ballet
box by an open ballot, was superseded by
the Legislature of 1891, after full discussion
Tho tendency of popular government is in
the direction of higher and more advanced
Intelligence and greater individual response
bility in the exercise of this important right.
We need not go beyond the limits OF our OWL
State to find recognition of this principle
The people of Maine, by a constitutions
amendment adopted in 1891, decreed, with Ger
tain limitations and exec ptions, that mo per
son shall have the right to vote or be eliglbl
to Office under the Constitution of this State
who shall not be able to read the Constitution
in the English language and write his name"
1t is conceded that many defective ballot.
were cast at the last election. This may be
attributed in many instances to the change
adopted in 1873, in the method of marking the
ballot A fixed and permanent system of vot
ing seems to be desirable; constant changes in
the mode Of exercising that right only tend
to confusion and increase mistakes. III lntelll'
gent voters have been DISTINGUISHED for wani
of attention, it certainly would be an anomaly
in legislation to undertake to provide 8
remedy for such inattention, by Legislative
enactment. The e ople Of the State should b.
given fair opportunity to test the measure
There can never be fair and satisfactory test
If the Legislature. succeeding every election
prescribes different manner of marking the
ballot, for that will only lead to addltlona
confusion
While it may be desirable to enlarge some
what the authority of election officers in as
sisting the voter desiring information, and
provide for uniform Interpretation OF Tho
law respecting the counting of the votes, !.
believe all radical changes should be avoided
at the present session. The statute exists
and should have fair trial under favorable
circumstances. If it does not then prove sat
isfactory the voters of the State will speedily
find remedy.
State Liquor Agency.
The State has for many years authorized thu
maintenance of liquor agency Ito furnish
municipal officers of towns in this State, ant
duly authorized agents of other states, witt
pure, unadulterated Intoxicating liquors, tt
be kept and sod for medicinal, mechanical
and manufacturing purposes" With the con
tinued advance of 1he cause of temper ance II
our State, and under the influence of a stron&
public sentiment, aroused and strengthened
by or various temperance and Christian or
ganizations the city and town agencies havt
been gradually reduced, and in 1904, in the foul
hundred and thirty eight cities and towns II
the State, only twenty-three agencies wert
in existence. It appears. however, from Off
cal returns, that during the past three year
intoxicating liquors were sold through thu,
State Commissioner to the established city ant
town agencies, amounting to $685., SO1.7l.
The statute regulating this immense traffic
seems to be inadequate in many respects. Thu
law formerly required that the commissions
should have place Of business in Maine; blu
under existing statutes, it is only required
/ that he '<shall reside and have his place o
residence in this state" Under the practica
interpretation Of the present statute, liquor
may be shipped direct from other states to thu
city and town agencies, without ever goini
into the possession of the commissioner; ant
necessary tests by competent assayer, to de
termine the purity of such liquors after the!
NJ.