The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-12-30
G. ID = FL IL y % EsS:S
NaELSS AGE,
CeH!l,m1n Of the Senate,
md If The House Of Uc1 rates:


the consideration of the condition Of the
financial affairs of Maryland. Nolwith-
standing the Iabo,ionS and intelligent dis
cussions Of the whole suhcc, in both
branches of the last LEGISLATURE. it has lost
none "I lis interest; it is still surrounded
ly the most serious difficulties and en-
barras>ments The laws then passed in
tcNtltd 10 maintain the public faith, have
sigGaIly failed to accomplish their purpo-
ses. Instead of diminishing, the public
debt has daily augmented. Al the close
Of the fiscal year 1912, the debt. including
arrcarages for interest. was as stated bY
Treasurer, & l6,07l, 079. On the 30th Of
November last, the close Of the last fiscal
year, the debt, including orrearagcs for in
teres', amounted to %l6,376.657 o.
Thus the demands against the Treasury,
after exhaustng the whole income and re-
venues OF the State, haze increased within
the period last mentioned, more than
three hundred thousand dollars. The
causes Ct this condition of affairs merit
your most calm and careful considcra-
ton.
1t will be found that the ordinary re-
venue has sutticrd to ay only the ordina
ry expenditures. The annual demands a
gainsl the Treasury on account of the
bond debt Of the Safe, over and above The
receipts from al! the internal improvement
companies in which the Safe is interest
cd. amorut /" $626S2l Is. The AREA
RACES for interest on the same deb. amount
To Sl,l7l So 81. These two sums
making $i79SG9l -, constitute the
current demands against the Treasury for
the ensuing year, for the rayNenl of
which provision is to be made.
The existing lave, if faithfully cyeCu-
ted. will no, supply lie means to meet
these large engagements The Treasury
affords no data for asccr.al0ing precisely.
the amount Of revenue that may be cArCc-
ted from their fall and perfect execution.
Enough IS known however to justify the
belle! nat ihcy will not furnish, annually,
supplies to the Treasury amo. n!jng to
more Ihan $,4JOC1O
The whole property # tlc State was
valued in ISL at t3l96 7G3,Sl9 SO. This
assessment las been since reduced to
Sis lCS,496 %. Assuming that there
are other reductions in those counties
from which the Treasurer holds no re
turns, tie whole property Of the State
subject 10 the taxes imposed by the act Of
April session, iSll, and its supplements.
may be estimated at El75, 100000, on
which amount the tax Of - cents in the
hundred dollars directed to be levied, if
the whole he collected and paid, will
yield revenue, annuity, Of $437, 500
in addition to the act Of April session.
I~ll, various revenue lays have been en-
acted, imposing taxes on incomes and e.
monuments, on silver plate and watches,
on protests, on brokers. and OH theatrical
and other public exhibitions. These acts
have been only partially executed. The !
in 'orma;on collected Ivy the Treasurer, |
from those who are required 10 enforce |
them. juStiics the belief, that they will |
not bring into the Treasury annually, an
amount exceeding much the dlminution |
Of revenue to be expected under the act OF !
April, ISL from Tie tIr her abatonen's in !
the assessed value Of property, and from
lnsolvencies of taxa and collectors. I
II then the interest in arrcar, with the |
occruirg interest, amounting'to s l,79S,-
C9l So, are 10 continue current demands |
against the Treasury, and the il come is
not by additional taxes, increased beyond |
$4,000, there will be a deficit in The
Treasury, at tho expiration of the present
year Of r l,3IS,G9i 10.
Past experience has fully demonstrated,
that the tax system Of the State is destitute
Of the vigor which is indispensable TO its
faithful execution. Ever since its adop-
ton, some of the counties have wholly
failed TO put it in operation, and others
have done ii in such an ire gnlar and I'M
satisfactory manner, as 10 make it, at all
times, questionable whether i, would &C
comp!sh the purpose contemplated by It's
trainers. Aware lliat some amendment Of
i! was absolutely necessary TO ensure its
execution, the Legislature at its last scs--
sion provided, as coersve measue, that
the collectors Of the county charges
should be collectors of the State tax, hop
ing, doubtless, that The local authorities
of the counties would be forced to levy
the tax directed to be imposed, for the pur-
pose OF raising a sum sufficient to pay the
interests on the public debt The result
has sadly disappointed this hope 50 far
from the delinquent counties being com
peeled by this mcasur" to levy and coIIcc!
Safe taxes, it has only had the effect to
prevent The collection o.. taxes o! any kind
whatsoever.
The violent struggles for political power
.and la'roragc which have agtaled our
State Tor several years past, have prompted
b IN + he political parties. i'nm time TO
iit,e Us l.ey acquir q nasccndtncy tie
Legislature, 10 curalI The poser conferred
by lie oon"'.,u'to" originally upon the
ENrcu,lyc. 10 such cXlent Naye die al