The Press., 1895-06-20

 mttted to the waste basket without attention.
 THE senate, by more than a two-thirds | al amendment, increasing the number of senators and providing for redistrictfng the state.
 PUTNAM has voted 385 to 326 to accept a city charter. The people outside the proposed city limits generally favored the city government, which relieves them from taxation for proposed central inn provements. The town had, in 1890, | 6,512 inhabitants. ]
 Gov. COFFIN in his inaugural message urged upon the attention of the legisla- tors many matters needing their atten- tion, and some paragraphs of wholesome advice are here appended:
 It is probably too true that some of the influences accompanying, and to greater or less degree shaping, the legislation of the state, have been now and then for years of such character as to constitute serious offense against the rights and in- terests of the people.
 Again, it is currently thought to have happened that arrangements have been made between persons outside, with mem- bers inside, the general assembly, to di- vide the gains secured by combination, to delay or hasten, antagOnize or promote measures proposed, according to which course would afford the best financial re- suits to the parties to such arrangements.
 It may be properly added, in view of observed facts, that the trading of votes between members, with or without refer ence to the merit of measures, is prac- tice which, at least in many instances, is exceedingly reprehensible.
 To consider each measure carefully, to decide about it fairly, in view of it's char acter, without fear or favor as to any Oth- CT measure, is our plain, safe and simple duty.
 The evil features which are reported to have accompanied the work of the gener- al assembly at times, in recent years, have humiliated our people, and the good name of our state has suffered at home and abroad. You can put all end to scandal and causes of scandal by firm and decis- i've action and it is most earnestly to be hoped that such action may be taken very early in the session upon which you now enter.
 Now things like these have before been put into governors messages, and sOme- times have been regarded as 'buncombe" occasionally without injustice. ButGov. Coffin has proved that he was in earnest and desired to give the state business like administration. He has done his part we'll, both in counsel and in action. Always he has investigated before acting. Not state paper has he signed without consideration. On the alert for the inter- ests of the state, he has unearthed long continued systems of plunder, such as the Whipple school matter. His office has been no sinecure. In accepting it, he en- rolled himself as a servant of the people. In the closing days of legislative work he again sounds the alarm. In a special mes- sage he calls attention to several cases of leakage from the state treasury For in- stance, while the deaf and dumb asylum is by law limited to annual allowance of not exceeding $13,000, about $2O, 900 for three years past has been drawn for it's maintenance. The armories are regular ly drawing unwarranted sums for build ing purposes. An appropriation of $2O,- 900 for the support and education of the blind for the two years ending June 30th, 1896, has been carried out by payments of over $33, 1000, and claims of $6,O0O more are yet to be met.
 The needed ballot law legislation is not getting deserved attention. We have 8 miserable makcshift of a secret balIot and it now looks as if it were proposed to do very little in the way of improving it. The enormous majority given the repub- Hcan ticket in 1894 puts great responsi- bility upon the party in power. Gov COf- fin has done his part to meet that respon- sibility. So have the legislative commit tee on appropriations, who have done brave work in retrenching state expenses, disappointing many expectations, but de- serving the good will of the disappointed because of their impartial justice, and the need of just the firm check they have kept upon the avenues of outgo from the state's strong box.
 While not all is accomplished that might have been, there has been an awak- ening of attention to the state's interests. Where falling short of hoped for results is noticed, the cause is invariably too much managing-state craft in lieu of statesmanship. The good seed sOWn in the governors utterances, and in good work begun in legislations concerning state expenditures, ought to bring good later results, and will if the executive and his co-workers get the backing of the peo- pie. Where the incumbent of a public of- flee has disappointed the people as to do- ing his part and aiding in bringing better results, he may expect his reck oning to come. For the people mean to march to the tune of Gov. Coffin's messages, and where an evil is to be righted the right public sentiment will be found to do the work. Such messages are not to be made foot balls of with impunity.
 A dozen or more influential merchants of New York city have been indicted for selling fake silverware with the mark 'sterling" on it. One of them who failed testified that there was little silverware nowadays that was genuine sterling sil- yer some so marked did not have a par ticie of silver. And yet silver never was cheaper. In England, by parliamentary investigation, it was found that not an ar ticle of food or drink sold but was adul- terated where it was possible to have it done, and all were sold as pure of their kind. Clothing was likewise made to appear to be what it was not; but to sell articles marked sterling" silver is going beyond the legal line, for goods so mark ed have always been accepted without question.