If this was a subject in which any portion of the country or the Government has adverse interests, the opposition it receives might reasonably be expected. But the relief we ask, while it would. help us and others immediately interested, would through increase of business, contribute to the prosperity of the whole country, and add to the revenue of the Government immeasurably more than would be lost, by unfettering these interests, and allowing them to fulfil their important mission.

No man who remembers the efficient aid received from our shipyards and merchant marine in furnishing vessels and experienced seamen for the creation of a navy in the beginning of the war, can fail to appreciate the importance of this subject to the national defence. It is vastly cheaper and better every way to encourage and sustain interests, which, in addition to their means of prosperity in time of peace, will furnish a navy in time of war, than to maintain permanently such a naval force as would otherwise be required. There is no adequate reason for continuing this unfriendly legislation, which is paralyzing business of such importance.

I earnestly hope Congress will at an early day remove the burdens of which we complain. This would allow our ships and our commerce to compete under more favorable circumstances, with those of other nations in the markets of the world. Let this be done, and we may reasonably hope that the sounds of busy industry will soon be heard in our ship-yards; that the sails of our commerce will again be allowed to whiten every sea, and that the sight of our flag will gladden the hearts of our countrymen in all lands.

BIENNIAL ELECTIONS AND SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

My predecessor, in one of his addresses to the Legislature called attention to the subject of biennial elections of State officers and sessions of the Legislature. The suggestion appeared to me timely, and worthy of careful consideration. If a saving of forty or fifty thousand dollars, which is about the cost of a session of the Legislature, can be made to the tax-payers of the State every two years, besides an important reduction in time and expenses incident to the elections, without serious detriment to other interests, it should be done. A revision of the statutes has just been made. They should undergo no useless changes. The history of the State

and country show that the tendency is to too much legislation. I am of the opinion that biennial sessions would furnish ample opportunity for all the legislation the interests of the people and the State would require.

CHANGE OF THE DAY FOR THE ANNUAL ELECTION.

If you should deem the subject just referred to of sufficient importance to submit to the people the question of such amendment to the constitution as the change would require, I suggest that with it you submit the question of changing the day of our annual election to the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, being the day fixed by law for the Presidential Election. There are some important advantages to be gained by this change. Every four years it would save the time and expense of one election, as the Presidential and State elections would occur on the same day. It would be more favorable to a fair and full expression of the wishes of the people. The present time of election makes it necessary to hold the preliminary caucusses and conventions at a time when in a large part of the State, the people employed in agricultural pursuits are more busily engaged than in any other part of the year. As parties are now organized, the character of our public servants is generally determined at these primary meetings. Unless there is unusual interest in the nominations many of the most intelligent voters who are busily engaged, stay at home. This makes it easy for a few men, who may have private or other interests adverse to the public good, to control the nominations, and if in the majority party, the elections. I submit whether the interests of the State will not be better subserved by holding the preliminary meetings and the elections at a time when the largest number of the people can attend with the least sacrifice. It is generally believed that a better understanding of our duties as voters may be obtained by intelligent and thorough public discussion of the questions at issue and the merits of candidates. Here we find again in the busy season that precedes the present day of election, the same difficulty. Many of the working people cannot leave their business to attend such discussions. Two months later the longer evenings would be more favorable to reading and public meetings, and laboring men could better attend to both. All would be as well accommodated, and many whose honest votes are greatly needed much better.

OUR JAIL SYSTEM.

In our treatment of criminals, the chief object should be the reformation of the criminal and the diminution of crime. Neither of these can be expected as the result of crowding together in inconvenient, unhealthy jails, like many in this State, without employment, persons who have only taken their first step in crime, with hardened criminals of both sexes. The opposite result is sure to follow. The person accused of, or under sentence for his first offence against the law should not be confined with, or placed under the tuition of professional offenders hardened by a life of crime. We cannot afford to ignore the laws of common propriety and decency in our treatment of criminals and those accused of crime. They should be supplied with suitable reading matter, moral and religious instruction, and constant employment.

The report of the Commissioners recently appointed to consider this subject, may be expected at an early day, and will, I trust, suggest some practical plan of reform.

FISHERIES.

The course pursued by our neighbors of the Dominion in regard to the rights of our fishermen, is exceedingly damaging to a business in which many citizens of this State are engaged, and calls for immediate action by the proper authorities. It is gratifying to know that the President of the United States is not unmindful of our interests in this regard. Whatever aid we can give him in determining at an early day the rights of American citizens on the waters where they have so long pursued this business, should not be withheld. We earnestly desire to continue friendly relations with our neighbors. If, however, the indignities that have been offered should be repeated, it will become the duty of the government to adopt such measures as may be necessary to enforce our rights.

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.

The idea of an Industrial School for Girls should not be abandoned. All the arguments in favor of reformatory institutions for boys apply with equal, and in some respects, greater force to the establishment of similar institutions for girls.

I earnestly hope the finances of the State, or the munificence of men of means, who desire to aid such an enterprise, or both com

bined, will, at an early day, allow the establishment of an instituso essential to the moral well being of the State.

CONCLUSION,

In conclusion, I pledge you my earnest coöperation in all measures calculated to promote the prosperity of the State and the happiness of the people, and express the hope that your councils will be harmonious, and result in lasting benefits and blessings to your constituents.

SIDNEY PERHAM.

The Address being concluded, the Governor and suite retired and the Convention dissolved.

The House was called to order by the SPEAKER.

Adjourned.

SUMNER. J. CHADBOURNE, Clerk.

Met according to adjournment.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1870.

Prayer by the Rev. Mr. MooR of Augusta.

The Journal of yesterday was read and approved.

Bill" an act to authorize certain cities and towns to aid in the construction and equipment of the Knox and Lincoln Railroad, was presented by Mr. WILSON of Thomaston, read three times, rules being suspended, passed to be engrossed, and sent to the Senate.

Papers from the Senate:

Communications from Hons. Uranus O. Brackett, William Deering, Silas C. Hatch, Ebenezer Choate, 2d, and Hiram Knowlton,. Councillors elect, signifying their acceptance; also

Communication from Hon. Parker P. Burleigh, signifying his acceptance of the office of Land Agent; and

Communication from Hon. Franklin M. Drew, accepting the

office of Secretary of State, came from the Senate read, and were read in concurrence.

A message was received from the Senate through its Secretary, Samuel W. Lane, Esq., proposing a Joint Convention in the Hall of the House, this day at 11 o'clock, for the purpose of administering to Uranus O. Brackett, William Deering, Ebenezer Choate, 2d, and Silas C. Hatch, Councillors elect, the oaths required to enable them to enter upon their official duties.

The Clerk was charged with and conveyed a message to the Senate, informing that branch of the concurrence of the House in the proposition for a Convention.

The hour having arrived, the Senate came in and a Convention was formed.

IN CONVENTION.

On motion of Mr. MINOT of the Senate,

Ordered, That the Secretary of the Convention be directed to notify Uranus O. Brackett, William Deering, Silas C. Hatch and Ebenezer Choate, 2d, Councillors elect, that the two branches of the Legislature are assembled in Convention, for the purpose of administering to them the oaths required by the Constitution to qualify them to enter upon the discharge of their official duties.

The Secretary subsequently reported that he had discharged the duty assigned him, and Uranus O. Brackett, William Deering, Silas C. Hatch and Ebenezer Choate, 2d, Councillors elect, were pleased to say they would forthwith attend upon the Convention.

Thereupon, Uranus 0. Brackett William Deering, Silas C. Hatch and Ebenezer Choate, 2d, came in, and in the presence of the Convention and before the President of the Senate, took and subscribed the oaths required to qualify them to enter upon the discharge of their official duties.

The Councillors then retired.

On motion of Mr. FOSTER of the Senate,

Ordered, That a message be sent to the Governor by the Secretary, informing him of the election and qualification of Uranus 0. Brackett, William Deering, Silas C. Hatch and Ebenezer Choate, 2d, as Executive Councillors for the current political year.