Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-04

and growing industry is cordially COM
mended to the generous consideration
of the Legislature. The value and
achievements of the p-ohibitory law
are duly noted, but at the same time
the fact is recognized that it needs be-
hind it at all times a vigorous and suS-
tanning public sentiment.
The suggestion is made that the fee
system may we'll be revised or modi-,
fled and that officers receiving compen-
sation partially or wholly in fees should
Importance of good roads is fully recog-
nized by the Governor, but he does not
regard with favor the creation of a
State highway commission. He well
says that the cost of really good roads
is beyond the means of most of our
towns and that improved highways
must come first. The latter he be-
lieves can only come through State,
and perhaps county aid. He believes
tndJ SUCH Il VI tHt 1Osl
would make the municipal burden
small when compared with the i'm
mense benefits which would be de-
rived from such improved facilities for
communication.
The total assets of the savings banks,
the trust companies and the loan and
building associations of Maine are
shown to be sS7 ,233, 1872. an exhibit
which is in every way creditable to the
progress and enterprise of our State.
There are in round numbers Isl, 900 de-
positors in the savings banks whose
balance was less than $4,000 each, and
the total amount of whose deposits
reach the enormous total of $50, 55S,
629.S4. To get the grand total. however,
of the deposits held by these banks
we must add s13,6Sl, SO9.23 which stands
to the credit of Sab depositOrs each
having a balance in excess of $1,000
Some interesting figures are presented
showing that in the past 40 years the
savings of the thrift of Maine people
have increased about 5000 per cent
In abiding to the National Guard the
fact is brought out that there is still
due s62, 300.4S from the general govern
ment on account of expenses incurred
in the equipment of troops for the
Spanish war. To this must be added
s5,31065 due the State for property de-
war after it had been condemned by a
board of survey convened by his or
ders.
The policy of giving generous pen
sions to the brave and patriotic men
who by their courage and valor pre-
served the Union is cordially COM
mended.
The fact is brought out that during
the year 1900 at least 100000 were
expended by more than $4,000 visitors
to our forests and inland lakes. This
fact alone very clearly demonstrates
the wisdom of preserving and protect
ing our fish and game interests which
form the immediate attraction draw
ing this large expenditure of money to
our State.
The average reader will be surprised
to learn from the Governors message
that the sea and shore fishing indus
TRIES of Maine give employment to
about 10000 people, that they have an
invested capital of nearly $3,000,000 and
turn out products to the value of about
Sc OOO. 900 annually. These figures alone
show how much of an element this in
dustry constitutes in the prosperity of
our State.
The Governor recommends that the
oldest departments of the Insane hos
pital, in this city. which are now much
out of repair, should be thoroughly re-
constructed and put in good working
order, and expresses the opinion that
the Eastern Maine Insane hospital now
nearly ready for occupancy at Bangor.
cOulu not ne loudS ioI icSS
than 20 per cent. above it's present cost,
He pays in this connection, a merited
tribute to the faithful services of Hon.
Sidney NJ. Bird. chairman Of the COM
mittee on public buildings, to whose
sound business judgment is largely due
the success with which the plant at
Bangor has been pushed to completion.
The need of an appropriation to en-
able the management of the State pris-
on at Thomast to avail itself of cash
discounts in purchasing raw material
for it's various manufacturing estab
lishments is clearly shown; and the
benefits that would come from the es-
Enlistment of reformatory prison
for women are fully pointed out.
Being thoroughly familiar with the
conditions at the Reform school, from
personal visitation and investigation,
Governor Hill is convinced that the
cottage plan is by far the best for the
welfare and improvement of the boys
who are sent to this institution. He
well says that many of these youths
are merely the victims of pOVerty and