The Somerset reporter., 1903-01-08
Governor Hills Message.
CONTINUED from first page.)

UUIY 7
law Is observed hive no option In the mat
ter, IL they respect their Official obligation
and are true to their official oath; but 1t
10 most important that every law should
be sustained by an unquestioned public
sentiment, for officials elected by popular
suffrage seldom rise to higher conceptions
OF public duty than Is represented by the
prevailing sentiment Of their constituents.
Good citizens may differ among them
selves as to the best method of contending
with the liquor evil, but they cannot af-
handing the faithful, fearless, and Impair
tial enforcement of every existing law, so
long 1t continues to be the law.
Among some of the most earnest and
sincere friends OF temperance In the state,
there Is a strong feeling that the prohibi
tory amendment should again be submitted
to the people, that they may have an OPP
question. They believe that such an ex-
preston of the popular will would give re
ncwed strength to the law. and lead to
In those portions of the state where oti-
Gals have failed to do their duty
II you are satisfied that the people De
sire to express themselves upon this mat
ter. 1t will be your duty to give them an
opportunity to definitely pass upon the
whole question at the polls.
AGRICULTURE.
The commissioner of agriculture reports
that our agricultural interests are In
strong feeling Of encouragement among the
farmers of the state.
The experiment station and the State
University are aiding much by teaching the
science OF agriculture. They are constant
~ bringing to light new truths aud new
methods, which have marked enect In
stimulating evsry line OF farm work. The
more general use of modern farm machIn-
cry and better scientific knowledge have
served to stimulate production without a
corresponding Increase In cost. Crops with
ha uinu nf
abundant. Prices have been high, ana
farmers have found a ready market Tor
their products.
The commissioner further says that the
condition of our farmers as whole Is con-
stantly improving Their indebtedness has
largely been decreased and many mort
cages have been cancelled. Farms are bet
ter equipped than ever before, and thrift
and prosperity are everywhere noticeable.
The usual number Of farmers Institutes
have been held, and have been well at.
tended Their work Is Of great educational
value and Is fully appreciated. The COM
missioner has endeavored to secure the most
practical and successful agrlculturists in the
country as instructors, and the corps or
teachers at the University of Maine have
aided greatly In promoting the success OF
these meetings.
during the year. They are sent to between
seven and eight thousand farmers OF the
state going largely to those who have per-
sonally expressed Il desire to receive them.
The Maine Darymens Association, which
includes in its membership many OF the
most progressive dairymeh IN the state. ad-
vocates of the employment OF an instructor
whose duty II shall be to urge better meth
DDS in the production and handling OF milk
and cream, the work to be under the direc--
ton and control Of the commissioner OF
agriculture.
Much can he done for the advancement
OF Our dairy interests. II proper effort is
made along the right lines and the value of
these products can be largely Increased.
man thoroughly equipped for the work
and competent to give instruction could
greatly stimulate the growth OF this indus
try by the introduction OF the best methcds'
portance Of encouraging In every possible
way the interests of agriculture. upon
which so many. OF our people depend for
employment and support. The prosperity
Of the farmer means the prosperity OF the
whole safe. and his interests are the most
important that are entrusted to our care.
MAINE CATTLE COMMISSION.
The cattle commissioners have condemned
and destroyed more cattle and horses dur
ing the past two years than ever before in
the same period. Owners OF cattle are
coming better to understand the dangers or
tuberculosis and the commissioners are
called upon to make n larger number of in
vestlgatlons. A" n result, many more cas"S
are being discovered, and better protection
Is being afforded from the danger of infec-
ton.
The appropriate ton made by the last legls-
lature hns proved inadequate, and you will
he asked to grant sill larger sum. II Is
portsnce Of continuing tbs his" work g' I" know
you Will willingly provide whatever amount
may be needed to enable the commissioners
to pay promptly for all cattle and horses
which they may find 1t necessary to de
FORESTRY.
The forestry commissioner, after a most
flprpi.Uh
that there Is standing in Maine today over
81 900 900. 900 feet Of spruce timber, not less
than inches in diameter at the height OF
4 feet. The annual growth varies from to
4 per cent, according to the character OF
the soil and ether conditions, and the com
missioner believes II Is safe TO assume that
erage yearly growth Of 3 per cent. or U30,
700 feet. About 10000 600 feet of
spruce was cut In the state during the seal
son of 1902 which Is somewhat in excess
OF the average amount for the past lew
years.
It Is evident that the growth of our
spruce forests Is nearly keeping pace with
the amount annually consumed. They hre
not likely to he eXterminated by our indus
tries, but their greatest danger Is from fire.
1t Is estimated that there Is also about
coggin valley, in New Hampshire. for which
the natural outlet is the pulp and saw mills
Of Maine. The new Fish River Railroad
Will turn large part Of the forest products
OF that section to Maine manufacturers
which formerly went down the St John
River to New Brunswick.
There Is also \ large growth of valuable
hard woods Of various kinds which Will
ultimately be n source of great wealth TO
the state and give employment to large
number OF people.
The forestr commissioner, who has con
Quoted his | cstigations with great care,
has been aid, in his work by the United
States department Of forestry, which during
the past year sent an expert, accompanied
fOrpstcrS state
to study our forests Nearly three months
was spent in the work and the information
thus obtained will be of great value.
There are about 10000 acrcs of school or
public lands under the care OF the state
land agent. These lands are located In
eighty different plantations, situated In
eleven counties. About S130p has been
received during the past year from the tim
Der on these lands Of which nearly $1,000
was collected in treSphss cases. Frequent
complaints of trespass upon public lands are
received, and on account OF the tracts being
so widely scattered, much time and labor
is required In making Investigation and
properly protecting the states interest.
The land agent also has the care OF In
dian township, so called, in Washington
county. This town contains 22.4W acres.
1t is well located and Is covered with Young
ing rapid growth. The soil is fertile and It
is valuable tract of land
STATE ROADS.
One hundred and hYe towns have taken
advantage of the act passed 10y the last
Legislature. which provided for the improve.
ment OF certain highways designated Their
10y as state roads. ! am convinced tina
these expenditures have on the whole becn
wisely and judicionslv made, sud | believe
that the system thus established offers
practical and progressive plan OF road ihi
provement. free from many of the obJec
tions which have been urged against Other
methods.
Al Ia ,,Nl