The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1905-01-12

sequence was tne Norman SCHOOL the
Library and the University They
knew that society required protection
against the depredations Of the Grim
inal and eyil-minded, and they built
prisons and jails. But these were MOI
torture chambers, and better still, the
hayward youth Of both sexes were
placed under a restraint-Who
and implying no dsgraee-that should
incline their lives toward industry and
sobrety. They realized that an in
Hamed public opinion might at some
time threaten law and order and the9
established militia service thai
should make not only for the peace Of
the community. but that should aid
the National Government when the
country Vas called TO arms. They
fought ID protect and husband The
natural resources Of the State, Ia
preserve lis fish and game, to MAKE
public the most Intelligent and eff
Gent method, ri forestry. to collect
statistics relating TO The progress OF
industrial development and labor, TO
check epidemics and 10 suggest ways
OF safeguarding the public health, to
encourage ami fo-br 1hr pursuit OF
agriculture and kindred -ubiects and
10 proven conlaeiOu among cattle
With the increase 0f wealth and the
profitable expansion Of business came
the agitation and discussion of new
'ssseftje;4 - aatfss.s ~ af.ai554455. w.
fare of the state commercial de
yelopmenf wa taking place mat re
CURED lar more capital chan could be
furnished by individual re-. oufces. and
one that 10 successfully accomplish its
purpose must ask and receive certain
privileges thar only the State can
give Corporations multiplied. and
special and practically exclusive
rights were granted by the Legisla-
ture To encourage this development
along lines OF safety. 10 protect the
investor and not infringe upon the
rights of the citizen, to aid the corpo
ration and at the same time guard
the physical and fnancial interests OF
the public and all the while to secure
for the State in taxes fair and
equitable compensation - all these
were yexatious problems requiring
for their satisfactory solution the ut
most care and ability and the keenest
sense of Justice Such corporations in
! particular as railroads, savings banks
trust and insurance companies deal
with the public generally and in order
| that their proper relation to the
/ State might be defined and fully IN
| derstood, a comprehensive system Of
| laws was adopted that should specify
/ accurately the terms and conditions
/ upon which they might enjoy certain
/ rights and privileges.
! While the State gradually assumed
! and exercised the functions here
! enumerated and many more and did
! this in conformity to law. yet the pas
| sage OF laws alone could not insure
| the transaction of this public business
| in a prompt and satisfactory manner.
| Executives and responsible heads were
necessary and so, cotemporaneous In
many Instances with the laws them
selves and receiving authority under
| them. there came into existence the
various officials. Boards and Commits
sions. whose duties clearly defined and
mandatory, consisted in managing
these subordinate departments OF the
States business and concerns. lnas-
much as every citizen has the right to
| know the business Of the State, and it
is assumed that he desires such knowl-
edge. one of the most important essen
tials in conducting the affairs of these
several departments is the element of
publicity 1t is the duty. therefore, OF
each official or official body charged
with administration. to make and sub
nit to higher legislative or executive
authority. at stated and frequent peri
DDS, full and complete report of all
the business transacted during the in
teryal of such periods And with this
there has grown. properly enough, the
! custom of embodYing in those reports
such recommendations bearing upon
the future conduct and management OF
the business as in the Judgment OF
! those familiar with it may appear To
be for the best interests of the State
and for all concerned. believe tnaf
the officials to whom reference IS here
/ made have administered the affairs OF
their several departments with wis
dom. economy and honesty, and that
they possess a due sense of their re
sponsibiity to you and the public they
serve
without pretending to have acquired
a full and comprehensive knowledge
Of the States many and diverse inter
ests. have examined and studied the
reports in question. and with the heads
Of nearly all the Departments have lis
cussed in conference or cores ondenee
the purposes and leading features OF
> their work As a rule they have dis
played great care and conservatism in
| following the law. and tact and discre
i tion in those instances whore the law
| permitted the use Of their own judg.
ment.
The public acts Of an official are
! properly subject TO the most rigid sCru
! tiny. and the official himself cannot
/ hope or expect 10 escape criticism My
power as an Executive will be used to
aid and protect every official in his
| efforts to promote the interests of the
! State along the lines of his plain duty
| and will be used as freely and firmly
| to check unwarrantable assumption or
| abuse of authority
These reports are now before you or
are at your command Their contents
/ supply information OF value to every
| citizen They not only disclose the
logical and practical results of past
'egisation. but they furnish figures
d facts showing substantially all
that is being. accomplished in the
! sphere of the States endeavor Whle
! for reasons already indicated do net
| purpose at this time to present their
| details or even summaries for your
! consideration. ! earnestly urge You to
read and study them. that You may
! gain the knowledge to act inteligently
| upon their conclusions suggestions
| and recommendation
/ I do not mean 10 advocate the appro-
/ priation of any money In excess of the
amounts absolute. lu#E ~. for tne