Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-06

] instltrciOn IN our stare, :fhd-is a potent
factor In ens oling 1t to provide 10 many
educational advantages within the reach
Of students of limited means.
As general rule however. ! doubt
the advisability of making grants of
money to continue through a series OF
years. Upon careful reflection am con-
WINGED that 1t is safter legislation. and
more in keeping with the spirit. Of our
constitution, to leave to each successive
legislature the right and the duty to
| provide for and decide how much the
state will aid or appropriate for any in
sfitution. or contribute for any purpose.
and to confine its appropriations strictly
TO the two years for which 1t has been
CHOSEN. And | would suggest, that in
any grants OF money. which you may
| deem 1t necessary and proper TO make
you coniine them to that period. unless
there is some very cOgent reason for
extending 1t longer time.
| When the laws creating the high school
| system in our state were enacted, IL was
very generally supposed and believed
that these schools would take the place
| of, and furnish the means of. ipstruc-
! ton that had been obtained largely in
| the several academies, and for a time
| this superstition appeared to be, in "a
great measure. realized. More recently,
however, nearly all the academies i'm our
| state have been coming here and oh
| tanning quite large financial aid, some-
| times for a series Of years and in sew
| eral cases beyond what. in my judgment,
| the attendance of pupils will warrant
| / am confident that on careful investi-
| cation you will find that there are some
~ these academies where further aid
| can be discontinued without serious det-
riment to our educational interests
OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND INSTI-
TUTIONS.
The several reports of the railroad
commissioners. insurance commissioner.
labor commissioner, secretary of the
state board of health, and others having
in charge various penal and reformatory
institutions will, l think furnish you
all the necessary information as to their
present workings and condition. and
enable you to legislate understanding
ly in reference to their future wants and
! shall not further trespass upon your
time with any extended remarks in ref
erence to them.
In building the Washington County
railroad and in determining and settling
very many controversies. growing out
Of the location and completion of sew
eral lines of electric railroads in our
state, many very important questions
have arisen, for the decision of the board
"a
large amount of labor and investiga-
ton. and feel justified In stating that
the board has acted with such wisdom,
fairness and enlightened Judgment that
Its decisions have very generally been
acquiesced in, and given satisfaction
to all concerned. and when appealed from
sustained by the court.
A large section of our state. abound
ing in many undeveloped.rHour has
INT
needed communication by rail with other
parts. through the building of the Wash-
ington County railroad. This enterprise.
so neces sary to that county. and so add
vantageous to us all, reflects great credit
upon the people of that section, through
whom and by whose efforts. energy and
enterprise the road has been con-
structed.
FISHERIES AND GAME.
Maine proffers to the sportsman and
the tourist beautiful scenery, numerous
and delightful lakes and rivers, grand
and magnificent forests and an unriva!ed
sea coast. Nearly, or quite. twO-thirds
of it's area is covered with water and
woods. In the abundance and excellence
OF it's game. in it's vast forests, and in
the extent of it's inland fisheries. it has
no rival on this continent. These fish
ing and hunting grounds are all easily
accessible by rail. the Bangor and Aroos-
took railroad passing for many miles
directly through the very best of them.
With each recurring season large and
constantly increasing numbers visit our
state to hunt and to fish, and to enjoy
the blessings of it's invigorating and
health restoring climate. 1t costs the
state no small sum to stock and replen-
iSh these rivers and lakes with fish, and
to protect and care for this large game
preserve.
Under the vigorous and also economi-
cal management of the inland fish and
game commissioners, who have so very
generally and effectively enforced the
laws for the preservation of fish and
game and prevented illegal hunting and
fishing in close time, and in prohibited
and protected sections of the state. there
by putting an end to the indiscriminate
slaughter of game at any and all times.
once so prevalent. the quantity of game
Is very rapidly increasing. and pOach-
ing is fast becoming thing of the past.
The Guide Law" so called. against
which. in some sections when it was
first enacted there were some very strong
protests and clamor. has been found.
after due trial. to be of great value in
preserving the game. preventing fires
and furnishing strangers and sports
men. who come from other states. with
competent and efficient guides and all
classes now interested recognize that the
enactment of this law was wise step
in the right direction. Doubtless other
and further legislation will be sought in
reference to this matter. in respect to
which the commissioners will more fully
inform you. hut in any legislation which
you may deem 1t proper to enact. hope
you will bear constantly in mind the
desirabiity. so far as possible OF com
polling those who enjoy the privileges
and pleasures of these fishing and hunt
ing grounds, to so contribute to the ex-
pense of maintaining them as to relieve
the taxpayers and the state in the near
future from any further large appro-
priations for their benefit and support,
and make this industry if may be per-
mitted to call it by that name. self-sus-
tanning.
Our sea and shore fisheries have been
very profitable to those who enjoy and
are interested in them. They furnish
healthy though perhaps perilous. en-
ployment to many thousands Of our
working people. living along the coast.
They are the nursery for hardy seamen
and sailorl SO much needed and called
for in our country at the present time.
They should receive from you liberal
RI 70 and c,,ch annrOpriation Of funds aSI