American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-02
THURSDAY MORNING, JAN, ?, ls45,


we have read message more truly unexcep
tionabe in style and manner; nor do we thinl
that there can be much objection TO its matter
excepting, perhaps, where the Governor upne
cessarily travels into the field of general poll
tics-as, for instance, in his discussion of the
annexation question; subject which might
have been omitted with advantage. But he
has only followed the example of others in this
particular, and may be excused.
The Message breathcs patriotic spirit, which
we arc delighted to see; for it is pleasant IN
these times when party interests appear to abb
sorb all other considerations, to see public men
recognizing the value of our Institutions, and
urging measures for the security and preser-
walton.
A large portion of the Message is devoted to
the consideration of the interesting and highly
important subject of State finances subject
which, as the Governor intmatcs, has been too
long neglected in the struggles of parties to &C
quirc the control of the General Government.
The period has arrived when energetic mea-
sures to restore the credit Of the State, can be
no longer postponed; and this point the Cover
nor cniorces in strong and just terms. He con-
siders it indispensable that there shall be prompt
and thorough action, to place the finances of
the State in condition to meet the just de-
mands Of its creditors GA Presidential cor
test Of unusual animation" (says the Message
cha; Just Terminated. Before we are drawn
into the vortex of another, there is breathing
time, within which, by cordial, harmonious,
and energetic cooperation of all those to
whom the honor of our State is dear, measures
may be devised to redeem the public credit, and
do ample justice to the public creditor. TO
accomplish an object desirable, however, |
am deeply convinced that it will be necessary
for all in authority carefully and finally to
avoid those things which are merely ideal, spe-
culatiye, or predetermined, and pursue steadily
those which are real, substantial and true"
This is the true light in which the subject
should DO viewed and the sentiments which
should animate every one. The necessity for
prompt, practical measures will be more appar-
ent from the statement in the Message, that
the arrears of interest, which were due on the
LIST Dec, 1912, amounting to Ss59,656, had
accumulated on the LIST Dec, 1874, to 81 $780,
s6I. 1t is thus evident that steps must be inn
mediately taken to arrest this annual accumula-
ton of debt, or that it will soon swell to an
- amount which will be overwhelming. The
Message shews, that the tax bills which have
been heretofore passed, have proved inadequate
and inefficient; in some instances not producing
more than fraction of the sum estimated. 1t
states also, that in seven counties the laws are
not all enforced The income tax law has al
most entirely failed Of its object, yielding no.
thing worth considering out of the city of Bal
timore The estimate of receipts, made by
session, under existing revenue laws, for the
year 1874, were $500, 000-whilst the actual
receipts are only $272, l45. From this state
ment it is evident, either that there is some de-
feet in the laws, or that there has been great
remissness in making collections. In either
case the remedy should be at once applied.
The Governor believes, that the repeated
refusals of the legislature TO authorize an cx-
change of the Bank Stocks of the State, for
evidences of interest in arrear, have had de-
Ieterious influence and he expresses the be-
lief, that the said Stocks can be exchanged for
coupons and certificates Of interests, at price
ssIargely beyond their value in money" Ifso,
it would seem to be the policy of the State to
make the exchange, and it would no doubt be
more satisfactory 10 the public creditors.
fall o1,,cis of
the aIessage-nor is it necessary, as we hope
that every one will giveit an attentive perusal.
The time so occupied will not be lost. We do
not, of course, agree with the Governor in what
he saws about the proceeds of the sales of the
public lands and of the annexation of Texas to
the Union. But, although we believe, that the
land fund should be distributed to the States, we
have always urged on the legislature, the adop-
ton of such financial measures as would pre-
serye the credit of the State, without reference TO
the said fund ;deeming that it would be inexpedi-
emf to relax our own efforts whilst there was a
doubt of receiving the aid which we hoped
would be granted.
Governor Thomas is about to retire to thu
shades of private life. On Monday next his of
fetal duties will cease. During his public ca
reer we have always endeavored to do him jus
tice; and we are not disposed to withhold GU
sanction to the claim which he now makes
"that every act of my public life has been die
tated by the desire to be faithful to my consti
tuents IN every honest effort, TO promote th'
lasting honor and permanent welfare of on
State, in all its relations, federal and domestic.
He has been warm and devoted partizan, ant
through party zeal may have "done that whicl