The Somerset reporter., 1899-01-05

attorneys, that It would be wise for yor
to carefully investigate a. TO what sun
In Justice should. be paid by the state as
a fair equivalent for the services per-
formed, to each one Of them, Ii the state
Is to continue to pay them, or II you deem
it better that the county delegation shall
settle and continue to determine them
primarily, then change the law so as Il
have the several counties pay.
STATE AUDITOR.
In my former address | called atten-
ton to the fact that had received com
munlcatlons from quite a number of
men, familiar with state affairs, declar-
Ing that in their judgment there was an
urgent necessity of creating the office of
state auditor, and insisting that the state
would save money by so doing in excess
of the cost of the department After
two years experience in examining and
auditing bills against the state by COM
mittees of the executive council, ] am
fully convinced of the truth and correct
ness of these statements, and the press
ing need of such an officer. | care not
how faithful committees of the council
may be, they cannot so fully protect the
interests of the state as an experienced
auditor would | think there are
but two states in the Union be-
side our own that do not have
this officer To create this office it
y
amendment to the state constitution. as
section A. article 5, now imposes very
many of the duties of the auditor upon
the Governor and council.
REVISED STATUTES OF MAINE.
I would also invite your attention to
the desira bilty of providing for another
revision of the statutes The last revis-
ion was in 1883. and if measures are taken
at this session with VieY of effecting
another there will be a space of IS years
intervening, as the new statutes will be
submitted To the Legislature that is to
meet In 1901 II would also seem emf
nently fitting and proper that we should
mark the threshold and beginning of the
goth century with new revision. Not
only necessity, but something of senti-
ment, and the placing of a time mark for
future reference points to THIS as the
proper thing to be done
] trust as To this revision of the stat
utes and the creating of the office of state
auditor. you will give to both subjects
such careful consideration as their i'm
portance and necessity deserves.
LABOR, ETC.
The best interests of labor and all laws
relating thereto. and also to Temperance.
and all the important industries and en-
terprises of the people are to certain
extent at least. for the next two years,
committed To your care and judgment
We need markets. and demand for our
surplus products, if we would utilize our
labor and have it constantly and remun.
eratively employed We must necessar.
lily to accomplish this end inform other
countries what we produce and have 10
dispose of to find the best markets or
perhaps any at all.
There is to be an industrial exposition
In Paris in the republic of France either
in 1900 or 1901 These expositions are
one of the most potent agencies by and
through which the nations Of this world
inform each other Of their products and
resources. both from the soil and by man
ufaeture.
The United States government has Sc
cured ample space and has taken steps
to have this country make an exhibit
worthy of this great progressive nation.
1t is for you to determine what if any
thing the state Of Maine shall appro-
pirate to be used in this behalf.
1t has been suggested by his eXcellency,
Governor Wolcott of Massac husetts, that
it may be advisable for all the New
England states to unite and present a
New England exhibit. Doubtless by SO
doing we could make it more creditable
and attractive. with less cost to the sew
eral states participating. and at his sug-
gestion an informal meeting of the gov
ernors Of the several New England states
cuss this proposition of having the New
England states represented together in
the exposition. 1t was the consensus Of
opinion tina a joint exhibit would be the
better policy Nothing definite was for
mulated or agreed upon, as most of The
governors at that time had no authority
to act, and | now submit the matter TO
you with this statement of facts without
any further special recommendation.
1t falls to your lot to put a period to
the legislation in our state for the nine
teenth century. for your term of office
will extend few days beyond its sunset
hour. and il is your privilege. as we'll as
duty. 10 enact laws in harmony and
keeping With the spirit of the time. Maine
will in the future as in the past, be true
to every requirement and demand i'm
posed, upon It, by the march of events.
1t will cheertnlly accept its share and do
it's full duty in helping to settle any prob
lens relating to the future responsible
ties of our national government growing
out of the recent war with Spain.
Whatever new obligations changed
conditions shall place upon us in our
career as a nation, we shall not shrink
from them but as in duty bound as ma
ton We shall not shrink from them but
as In duty bound. accept them in honor
and good faith. confident in our ability.
and realizing our imperative obligation
to assume and solve them. in the inter
ests Of humanity. of progress and of good
government.
An honest and determined purpose to
aid our state and nation to do this. and
also to legisate for the best interests
of every section and all classes Of our
people, should guide your deliberations
dominate and determine your votes
In conclusion, gentlemen. permit me
TO express the wish that you may find
your duties here and your associations
with each other very pleasant to your
selves and profitable to the state
LLEWELLYN POWERS