American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-09
Gs!IerjtaM 2SeDnbtlcau,
AND BALTIMORE CLIPPER.
THURSDAY MORNING, JAN, ., 1875,

lkthotJAI Ttpi|4N ~ JAN - 'N@"'
TRrAsuEER's REPORT. The report Of the
Treasurer Of Maryland is "short, ." if it is not
'sweet." It gives Us the figures, bat unaccom-
panied by any financial suggestion We have.
lde receipts and expenditures for the past year,
and the estimates Tor the pres9nt-are informed
OF the actual deficit in the treasury, and OF wIa'
it will probably be at the expiration OF the year
hui the treasurer has no scheme Of retfrach-
ynent nor plan to increase revenue. I ms may
be thought an omission Of consequence, cons!d-
crinr that he must be familiar with the whole
operation of the tax nms, ana thereby qualified
TO point out defects or suggest amendments.
From an examination Of this report we DO
not consider the finances of the State in dcs-
perate condition. The arrearages Of interest
have been imprudently permitted to accumu-
late to the sum of ST. ,287, 061. If this amount
be funded, the annual deficit under present cir
cumstances will not exceed 5000, 900; add for
this amount provision can be readily made, we
presume, without resort to oppressive laws
The measures recommended by the Governor,
# adopted, would probably realize more than
would be required; but some Of them we are
certain, will be objected to, as tending to inter-
fere with business operations, and others for
Gheir bearing upon real estate, Surprising,
then, that none Of his suggestions be carried III
20 effect, the legislature must adopt other
means to raise the sum required. In dcysing
cevenue bills, care should be had not to throw
the burthon too heavily upon the industrial in
terests. Articles ofluxlry might be taxed with
propretv--for instance, watches, pianos, car
riagcs, horses kept for plcasure-n short, what
ever is most likely to be used by the weather.
part OF the community If the direct tax be
increased to thirty cents, (Which ought not
TO DO done If il can be dispensed wth,) it will
Ldl about $50, 600 to the present revenue, and
there could be no difficulty in raising, from 9th
or sources, the balance necessary to make up
the annual deficit. Bot it is evident, that
whatever revenue laws may be passed, there
can be no SAFE reliance upon results, unless the
laws be properly enforced; and it is therefore
.lra duty Of the legislature to pay particular at
lenton to this point.
Whilst every effort is being made TO increase
the receipts OF revenue, it must not he forgotten
chat it is 10 less a duty to pare down en-
penscs to the lowest point. In short the action
ofthc State should be precisely that of an no.
nest and prudent individual in embarrassed cir
cumstances. 1t is expected of the present le
gistaturc that there will be judgment, skill and
energy Of action; and that the credit of the
State will be sustained. The Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal question should be finally disposed
OF; aGd the work should be either placed in
condition to yield revenue, OF be sold for
what it will bring. Had sound judgment been
heretofore exercised OIL this subject, the Canal
would at this time have been in successful ope-
ration; instead of which it is now an intolorable
burthen upon the people. We look TO the pre-
sent legislature for derisive action, for longer
delay Will be ruinous.
We have repeatedly urged heretofore the u
doption of system, which we are convinced
would produce considerable revenue. Every
officer appointed by the State should be requir-
ed to pay specified sum for his commission,
TO be- rated according 10 the income or suppos-
ed value of his office. Those who receive from
the public purse, or who derive support from
public Office, should be required to contribute
literally to the public revenue. Let a scale Of
commission taxes be adopted, extending from
the highest to the lowest officer Of the State,
and we venture to say, that large sum will
be annually raised.