American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-08

appointed Col. William /. WOOtton, at pre-
sent member of the House Of Delegates from
Prince Georges county, as Secretary Of State.
Col. w. is eminently qualified for the station
as veil from his intimate knowledge of the at-
faus of State, as his distinguished talents
We regret to say our correspondents letter
again failed TO reach us last evening. We
trust he will see that we receive it more regu.
larly.
lSAUGuRAL ADDRESS of GOVERNOR PRATT.
This document will be found in another por-
ton of our paper. 1t is written in a clear, bust
ness style, ana contains various important sug-
gestions in relation to the revenue of the State,
ami the prevention Of frauds ut elections We
are gratifed that Governor Pratt's first official
act indicates the deep solcitude which he feels
10 preserve the credit of Maryland; and we
hspc that tho sentiments which he has express
Sed on this subject, viii be RESPONDED to by the
Legislature promptly and efficiently. The IL
nanccs of the State must DC placed upon an
adequate and permanent foundation; and the
sooner this is done the better. We have no
doubt that, if the various suggestions made 10y
Gov. Pratt be adopted, Il revenue sufficient to
discharge the interest upon the public debt
punctually may be raised; but doubts will arise
As to the oxpcdiency Of carrying out some Of
the recommendations.
The Governor states the present amount Of
public debt bearing interest, at about $l2 ,000,-
: q - 9 L.,
uoses that the arrears of interest row due be
tualded, and supposcs, that if the existing reva-
nue. laws be rigidly enforced, sufficient a.
mount can be raised to detray the ordinary ex-
ponses ofgovernment and pay the accruing in
tercst within sl5e,0O0 per annum To raise
this deficiency, and to meet all contingencies,
he proposes:
Ist That executors and administrators pay
olt Of the commissions allowed them, one per
cent on the personal estate Of their testators or
intestates. The sum which would be received
from this tax he estimates at $4,000.
3D. That five per cent. be paid on collateral
MISUNDERSTANDING it is supposed, S25, 600
Sd. A tax Of one per cent. upon the assessed
value of all real estate hereafter transferred by
deed, to be paid by the donec or grantee, at the
me of offering such deed for record-supposed
amount tax 500 coo.
lth. Bonds, notes, inland bills of exchange,
and other obligations, to be stamped-payng,
if of 500 or under, % cents; more than 800
and less than $500, 81; more than $500 and
Jess than $1,000, 81; more than $1,000 and less
than $4,000, So; and on sums above $1,000, So.
The amount to be derived from this source is
estimated at $4,000.
II will thus he seen, that if the above Inen-
toned suggestions be adopted, and result as
fdvorably as the Governor anticipates, they
will Weld an aggregate revenue of $500, 900.
Il is proposed to restrict the operation of the
income tax law to persons receiving liked IN
comes or salaries; and that attorneys, physi-
clans, clerks and registers pay ID reasonable sPe-
cilic sum. 4 tax Of onG-iourth OF one per cent.
is recommended to be levied upon call holders OF
the funded debt Of the Stale, (whether certiti-
Gates of stock or bonds Of the State,) on which
the State pays interest, without exception"
whether the same be held abroad or at home.
Estimated receipts from this source 0,oO0 per
annum.
The Governor then recommends the appoint
mcnt of collectors for delinquent counties with
out regard to residence; and State notes, bear
ing interest, be received from delinquent tax
PAYERS: said notes to be liens upon the real and
personal property of the drawers, and to con-
tain an authority to issue execution in case of
failure to pay. Against those who refuse to
settle by note, rigid measures to be at once
adopted.
The completion of the Chesapeake and Oho
Canal is strongly urged, if it be practicable to
raise the nicans--if not, an immediate arrange
ment to be made with the Baltimore and Ohio
Rail Road, to transport coal, &c to Dam. No. s.
The Governor joys the memories of the Bal
iimore and Susquchanna Rail Road, and the
Susouehanna and Tide Water Canal Compa-
mics, in regard to the debts due BY them to the
State, and their appropriation of the funds
which ought to have been applied to the llqui-
dston of said debts, to other purposes. To
,revent like occurrences in future, and to Sc
cure more prompt attention to the pubic int
rests, he recommends the appointment Of three
States agents with salaries instead Of the pre-