Gentlemen of the Senate,

MESSAGE.

and of the House of Representatives:

IN accepting the trusts which our fellow citizens have confided to us, we have assumed a high and solemn responsibility. Constituted, for a time, the guardians of the public interests, the manner in which we may perform the duties incumbent on us in that relation, cannot fail to have an influence favorable or adverse, upon the honor and prosperity of the State. Sensible of the obligations this charge imposes, it will be my most anxious desire to consult, on all occasions, the best good of those whom we represent, and it will always afford me pleasure to unite with you in such measures as may be designed to advance their happiness and welfare.

Fortunate as our State has ever been, at no period in its history could its condition and prospects have been more truly the subject of grateful thanksgiving than at the present time. Other States may be renowned for greater extent of territory, a more fertile soil, or more magnificent schemes of public improvement. In these possessions and achievements of powerful and wealthy communities we must be content to remain undistinguished;but in every thing which contributes to the moral and intellectual elevation and rational happiness for the individual, and to the sound and durable prosperity of the community, we should be ungrateful not to feel that we are conspicuously favored. By necessity and habit, industrious and frugal;-moral and educated from the example and institutions derived from a pious and enlightened ancestry;-and free and equal from the practical operation as well as theory, of our government and laws, our citizens are in that happy condition most favourable perhaps, to the growth and security of liberty, intelligence and virtue.

It is gratifying to be assured, that there are few if any subjects of general interest or importance which the public voice urges upon your consideration at this time. We have reason to believe that little remains undone, which is required for the protection of individual rights, the encouragement of industry and enterprise, and the preservation of the public peace and safety. Our laws, though scarcely felt from the lightness of their pressure, are sure and effectual in their operation, and in no community are they more readily or cheerfully obeyed.

If there be a single cause of dissatisfaction which may be considered as an exception to the general truth of these remarks, it is to be found in the still difficult and perplexed posture of our militia. The apparent acquiescence in the present system, which has succeeded the loud complaints against it, is no evidence, I fear, of its having become more acceptable to the people, but is

believed to have been produced by a general conviction that such a unanimity of sentiment in regard to the extent and mode of change as is required for any essential and permanent modification of it, cannot be looked for at present. The fruitless deliberations of the Legislature upon this subject through many successive sessions certainly go far to show, that all action upon it is embarrassed with great, if not insuperable difficulties. It may, therefore, be thought importunate in me to persist in pressing it upon your notice, but believing as I do, that the preservation of the militia in some well organized form is of vital importance to the country, and being well persuaded that unless something is done soon to sustain it, it cannot long survive the too general disfavour into which it is rapidly falling, I feel it to be my duty, more particularly than ever, to ask your immediate attention to it. Every year's observation affords additional proof that the interest felt in supporting the system as at present organized is fast declining. The zeal and activity of the Department having charge of its administration, seconded by the efforts of spirited and intelligent officers, and the example of numerous corps distinguished for their excellent discipline, perfect equipments, and all the military ardour of the militia of the state in its best days, have been vainlyexerted to continue it upon thatfooting of uniform respectability which is either satisfactory to its friends, or likely to render its benefits equivalent to the large amount of time and money expended in maintaining it. It cannot be doubted that a disposition hostile to certain features of the system, exist pretty generally throughout the state, and in some parts to a degree, which renders it impossible to carry it into effect. Some companies are without officers, and officers are found without adequate commands. Instances are not rare in which the provisions of the law requiring the stated appearance of companies for drill and inspection is not even in form complied with. In others, when an appearance is obtained, the occasion is not unfrequently seized, for converting what was intended to be a school of discipline, into scenes of levity and insubordination. It is with reluctance, and from an anxious desire to preserve to the militia its usefulness, by raising its character and dignity, that I feel constrained to speak of any portion of it in terms, other than those of unqualified commendation.-It must be painful to every one to see an institution which our fathers cherished as the natural and sure safeguard of their liberties--whose achievements fill the most brilliant pages in our history, and not long since a popular favorite, sunk so low in public estimation as to have become an object of mockery and derision. No one can be more ready than myself to do justice to the large and respectable portion of the militia whose honorable exertions to keep up the credit of the system, under many discouragements, are worthy of all praise. In all

the qualities which should form the character of the citizen soldier they have never been surpassed. It is to rescue this part of the militia from contagious influences, before the spirit and discipline of the whole body are impaired, that I would respectfully but earnestly beg you to interpose. How the necessary reform may be best effected, is undoubtedly a problem of difficult solution. Without undertaking to furnish the details of any plan for the improvement of the militia system, which may with more propriety be referred to your wisdom, intelligence, and more extensive acquaintance with the wishes of the people in the various parts of the State, I may be allowed to observe, that any alterations which shall not have in view a very considerable reduction of the number now liable to military service, or an increase of the motives to a faithful and cheerful performance of duty, either by a moderate compensation to the soldier, or an equivalent diminution of his public charges, will, I fear be found on trial to be an insufficient remedy for the evils referred to.

In compliance with a request of the last Legislature, the selectmen of the several towns and places in the State were directed to cause the sense of the people to be taken in relation to the call of a Convention for a revision of the Constitution. It is well understood that the people have decided by a very great majority against the call.

If this decision may be regarded as a full and deliberate expression of public sentiment, we may rest satisfied, that whatever speculatively anti-republican features are to be observed in some of the provisions of the Constitution, or however offensive to the tastes may be portions of its language, these are rather the suggestions of a watchful, but too sensitive patriotism, sometimes alarmed even at fancied dangers, than the sources of any substantial evils in the practical operation of that Instrument.-It appears to me to furnish a gratifying proof of the respect and veneration with which the framers of the Constitution are still re garded, and of the excellence and perfection of that work of their wisdom, under which we have enjoyed so much public prosperity and individual happiness, without justifying in any degree the apprehension, that we are growing less careful of our liberties or more indifferent to the progress of modern improvement. A blind acquiescence in the errors and absurdities of antiquated systems could never, probably, be laid to our charge with less propriety than now ;-and our whole history bears witness that no people have approached more boldly the work of necessary reformation in whatever concerns the great interests of mankind than have the citizens of this State.

I have great satisfaction in being able to state to you the suc cessful operation of our new Judiciary System. It has thus far. answered the most sanguine expectations of its friends and con

ciliated the favourable opinion of all. It is believed that the important ends for which the administration of justice was de signed, are now attained with greatly diminished expense and delay...

From the report of the Warden of the State Prison which will be presented to you early in the session, it will be seen that the improvements in the Prison are completed, and the new cells occupied by the convicts. Although the expenses of construction have considerably exceeded the original estimates, I am assured that satisfactory explanations will be furnished of this unexpected result, in the Superintendent's report.

In former communications to the Legislature I have recommended to their notice the condition and sufferings of the Insane. Their claims have been fully exhibited in the several reports made under the directions of the General Court, and the expediency of adopting measures for their relief has been ably and feelingly advocated in the course of the Legislative proceedings on the subject. Although your predecessors did not feel prepared to sanction the measures recommended, I have never lost the hope of seeing, at an early period, a zealous co-operation of the several branches of the Government with the friends of suffering humanity in promoting a charity so plainly recommended by the principles of our religion and by every consideration of justice and philanthropy. While the most liberal provision is made for the victims of their own idleness and vice, with an inconsistency not easily accounted for, we abandon those who are afflicted with a calamity of all others demanding sympathy and solace, to a state of unalleviated wretchedness and almost hopeless incurability. From a somewhat attentive examination of the history of experiments undertaken elsewhere for the security and recovery of the Insane, I have no doubt remaining, that policy as well as humanity require of us something in behalf of that unfortunate class.-Our resources are fortunately ample for accomplishing this object; but should there be an unwillingness to appropriate the State funds to the extent required, there can be no doubt that a liberal and christian community would cheerfully supply the deficiency. Nothing could be more truly honorable to our State character, or give stronger proof, that we are willing to assist in the triumph of modern civilization.

In connection with this subject, I would take occasion to observe, that I have recently received communications from very respectable sources in this State and elsewhere, in relation to an Institution lately established at Boston called the New-England Asylum for the Blind. I am led to understand, although my information in regard to this point is by no means explicit, that like the kindred Institution at Hartford, it is the design and wish of the New-England Asylum to admit to its privileges such blind children as may be placed there under the patronage of other

States. That there are amongst us many indigent blind children who are proper objects of the State's bounty, cannot be doubted, but the absence of all precise or authentic information relative to their circumstances or numbers, allows me only to present the subject to your consideration.

Since the last meeting of the Legislature, some of our relations, which were for a time threatened with disturbance, have assumed a more gratifying aspect. An unhappy and agitating contro versy, which was which was calculated to excite the most gloomy apprehensions for the peace of the country and the preservation of the Union, has at length been adjusted, if not on terms to perfectly reconcile all opposing interests, yet it is hoped, in a manner to perinit and invite a return of those pacific and fraternal relations which should ever subsist between the different inembers of our Republic.

As it is my determination to retire from the public councils at the expiration of my present term of official service, I am unwilling the occasion should pass without a grateful acknowledgement of the kindness which, as a public servant, I have uniformly experienced at the hands of any fellow citizens. Their favors have immeasurably exceeded my merits, as they have the hopes I had ever presumed to entertain. d

Inadequate as has been the return for their long continued generosity and indulgence, I have the consolation of reflecting that whatever may have been the results of my official acts, all my humble efforts as a public man have been directed by an ardent wish to discharge faithfully and acceptably my duty to the State.c

Council Chamber, June 7th, 1883.

SAMUEL DINSMOOR

4

On motion of Mr. Barton in Ordered, That said communication lie on the table; and that the clerk be directed to procure one hundred and fifty printed copies of the same for the use of the Senate.

On motion of Mr. Tuttle

...,t,,,

The Senate adjourned."

AFTERNOON.

The Senate met according to adjournment.

A message from the House of Representatives, by their clerk: "Mr. President, I am directed to inform the Senate, that the House of Representatives have passed a resolution appointing Messrs. Tibbets, Emery and White with such as the Senate may join, a committee to assign the committee rooms to the several standing committees of both branches of the Legislature in which they ask the concurrence of the Senate.'