Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-04

the spirit OF the laws and the wishes
of the people has entailed larger ex-
penditures and more careful and de-
tailed supervision. No better proof
of this change and growth can be pre-
sented than is shown by a compare
son of the reports issued by the De.
partments today with those of twenty
five or even ten years ago. These
later reports of the States steward
ship are now so elaborate and exhaus-
analysis of the scope and practical
operation of the Departments is In.
necessary here. and this occasion does
not seem to require me to do more
than to urge you to bestow upon them
most carefqul thought and study.
During the last two years l have en-
deavored to learn and know some
thing of the States affairs and to ia
miliarize myself with the methods un-
der which they are being conducted
In almost every instance the Depart
ments are producing splendid results,
and their management is character
lied by intelligence and efficiency and
a faithfulness to the best interests
the State. They must continue to
Of thea, ia respectfully call your al
teasian 10 the faat that It ia your duty
ead pawcr 20 examine to tho fullest
extent their operations in order that
you may supply deficiencies and rem
edy defects.
In addition to the money that will
naturally be appropriated for the or
binary maintenance Of Departments
Institutions and Commissions, and for
the fulfillment of all other legal obli
cations, this Legislature will be asked
to make special monetary provision
for many new and important projects
All are desirable and some are abso.
lutely necessary. Without assuming
to determine the order of their i'm
portance, among the former may be
classed an Institution for the Feeble.
Minded. those unfortunates whose
uncontrolled life and movements have
been shown by science and expert
ence to be a terrible menace to the
social order and constant economic
burden to every family and cOmmun.
ity that shelters them. The blind, too
make strong claims for our pity and
generosity. for they ask not for life
long charity, but simply for the means
that will enable them to become self
supporting members of society. The
welfare of the insane will also appeal
to your sympathy, and you cannot re.
sist the demands that a recital OF
their needs will make upon you. The
residents of the eastern part of the
State will urge an appropriation sui
ficient to more nearly complete the
original plan and design of the Asy.
lum at Bangor, and will present argu.
ments in favor of this action based up
On the deplorable and conceded fact
that our facilities for the proper care
and treatment of these benefciaries
are still inadequate. About two years
ago the praiseworthy efforts of Con-
gresham Burleigh to secure the Ar
senal property at Augusta as a gift
from the National Government to the
State were wholly successful. and un-
der the intelligent direction of the
Board of Trustees one of the large
buildings there has been SO remodeled
and utilized that it has added greatly
to the efficiency of the Augusta Asy-
lum and to the well-being and comfort
of its inmates. But much more re-
mains to be done even at this Insti-
tuition, and the ACCESSIBILITY OF FIRE.
proofing another wing of the main
building is a question that should not
be overlooked.
Nor will the States Just claim for
the further advancement and exten.
sion of educational facilities be slight.
ed or ignored, for her common
schools. normal schools. academies.
colleges and university are all a pub
liz vln nf xyico
and liberal expenditure there but
adds to the strength and dignity of
her citizenship.
quirements of the State upon which in
my judgment immediate action should
be taken, and which I unreservedly
recommend:
The office Of State Auditor should
be created. The present system of
auditing the States accounts by the
Governor and Council is an archaic
absurdity. 1t is cumbersome, uncer.
tain and incorrect, and would not be
tolerated an instant by any individual,
firm or corporation doing business in
accordance with approved and mod
ern methods. 1t seems to have been
permitted for two reasons; it is
known to have been the custom near.
ly one hundred years ago, and since
that time no authority has been grant.
ed to change it. 1t has long since
outlived any usefulness it may have
possessed. and each year its ridicu.
lous features are more pronounced.
The methods of bookkeeping. too, EN-.
ployed by some of the Departments
are extremely loose. and this whole