The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-01-12
Gtatc affairs.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

| turc on the favorable auspices under which
it asscmblcs-refers to the European war,
and rcjoices that our condition has been that
of peace arid plenty-spcaks of the contagious
diseases which dcsolatcd other cities, and The
brncvolence eXertrd for their relief.
Treasury. There was balance in the
Treasury on the Both September, 1854, of
S31S, l239 subject to dcnaudS which
would reduce the sum- subject to further de-
,nands, to 500, 94G.I.
or the Free School Fund. there remained
in the Treasury on the first of june, 1855,
$44 ,427.76, which amount has been invested
in six per cent State Stock
Sinking Fund. At the close of the fiscal
year 1854, the State Stock held by the Sink
ing Fund amounted to So ,l5S, G37 80.
The aggregate receipts for the fiscal year,
1865, including balance in Treasury 81 .57o,-
$50, 5S-the disbursements, 1855 ,9G4 SO -
leaving in the Treasury, at the end Of the
year $500 ,922.05. Carried to the Sinking
Fund during the year Sf2G3 1851 making
the whole fund to the date, 3,42G, 40 o5.
Public Debt.-rhe az rcGatc public debt
on the lst Of January. 1856, was $l5,I32,-
9O9-of which amount the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad pays the interest on $4,000
GOO: the Susquchauna and Tide Water Canal
The interest on 81 GOO 900; and the Northern
Central Railroad, the interest on 81 SEC, 900
Having the interest on 50 i32 800, to he
paid from other sources. Of this sum the
siuking fund holds, as before stated, the sum
Of So ,42G,T40 IS; which reduces the actual
amount of the public debt to $G,CO6, 1905
that is, suproSing that the amounts due by
the several Railroads and Canals shall he re-
deemed by them. The Governor rcjoiccs at
this condition Of our State finances, and gives
| H., Al, q a..
practice Of prudence and economy, the pub
lie creditors will be paid to the las: fal thing.
| Tie message notices favolably the man
agcmcnt of the public works in which the
State holds an interest and refers to their
hattcring. There has been slight increase
in the receipts of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal which work, however, affords no pros
poet of speedy relief to the public treasury.
Public Schools. Making an honorable and
gratifying exception Of the public schools Of
Baltimore, which are admitted to lie well
managed, the message says, that ''thc sys-
ten Of public instruction in Maryland is i'll
state of the most utter and hopeless rrostla-
ion ;" and it is recommended that the plan
be reconstructed and made uniform, and be
more literally supported and subjected to
some controlling, supervisory power The
message then reviews the public school act,
passed i'll 1873, with The LEGAL changes which
| have been made, and recommends the repeal
of these laws, and the substitution of 4 new
law, with a competent superintendent and
subordinatcs; the means TO be procured by
State authority. 1t is supposed that there
are at present in tic State, mot less than
twenty five thousand white adults, who have
never beer taught their alplabct.' If this
DC so, it is time that the schoo!mastcrs were
abroad. The Governor thinks that the pub
lie interests, and the cause Of religion require
that all classes Of the people should be educa-
ted.
| The Governor calls attention to that SEC
ton of the Constitution which relates TO the
enrolment of the militia. and the formation
of volunteer corps, and is satisfied Of the
practicabllity and cxpcdcncy OF introducing
systematic military instruction into the col
legcs and academies pationizcd by the State.
lie asks that the cxl erinent be tl,d.
AgriculiUe.-Thc message speaks of the
neglect Of the agricultural interests Of the
State: speaks in terms Of concentration Of
the efforts of the State Agricultural Society
| the establishment of an Agricultural College
by the Society and other individuals: and re-
commcnds that liberal aid be extended to that
object.
Pcniten'iory-This building is pronounc-
I'd to he insufficient for the accommodation
gifts inmatcs, and a new dormtory is re-
commended to he erected, that Shall contain
a sufficient number of cells 10 accommodate
any increase Of numbers which may be 1ca-
sonahlv expected. 1t is also suggested that
provision be made for the removal of those
convicts who have become insane from the
| r, oJr Il, y a.
Pcnitcn;iary be relieved from its ndubteducss
to the State.
House Of RcfHee.-Af'cr expressing his
satisfaction at the completion Of this building
and dwelling a little upon its advantages to
| the young offenders, the Governor expresses
| his regret that the last General Assembly
passed an act to discover all connection be-
tween the State and this noble charity, and
hopes that tins determination will be recon
sidered, with the view of extending its advan-
tagcs to the whole State--in order to which
aid should be granted by the Legislature.
| State IurcS.--Thc message opposes the re-
duction of any if the State taxes, excepting
the stamp tax, which the Governor thinks
may be dispensed with without material pre-
udice to the revenue. The message then
| proceeds TO give an account Of expenditures
| for the deaf and dumb, and speaks Of tie
Maryland Institution for the instruction Of
| the blind. The sales of State lands and the
land laws are then considered, and it is sus-
gcstcd that hereafter persons eschcating lands
pay two-thirds Of their value, together with
the prices of improvements. The old land
I records appear to be in sad condition and
unfit for use. r
1t is recommended that joint committee
be appointed of professional members, to con-
slider the report Of the commissioners appoin-
ted ito revise, simplify, and abridge the rules
OF practice, plcadings. and forms of convey
ancing, and proceedings of the courts Of JUS
tIce i'll this State "a recommendation which
we presume will be adopted
| Nothing has bttn done towards the adj just
mcnt of the boundary lines bctw cen Virginia
and Maryland; and the early attention Of the
Legislature is called to the subject.
| The Governor views with favor the PROPOSE
ton to erect n monument in Independence
Square, Philadelphia, to commemorate the
Declaration Of Independence, the cost to be
paid by original thirteen States. We hope
that Old Maryland will have an honorable
place upon the said monument; but, to oh ain
this the Legislature mist appropriate due
proportion Of the expenses.
| The Governor then deyotcs n mage and q