Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-12

never doubted, that Maryland has no SYM
pathy with rebellion, and desires to do her
full share in the duty of suppressing it.
Looking, therefore, to the evil done by
your predecessors, and deeming 1t impossible
to mistake the wishes of the people, as ex-
pressed at the ballot-box, have not hesi-
tated to convene your honorable bodies in
special session, in order that you may at
once perform the will of the people, by tax
ing such steps as will, in your wisdom, seem
most effective to vindicate the honor and
loyalty of our State.
| have such confidence in the courage,
ability and patriotism which ! know to exist
in this Senate and House of Delegates, that
l might well here conclude this communica-
ton. | feel sure that no topic on which you
should take action will escape your discern
ment. But in accordance with custom, and
with the requirements of my duty, l here
with respectfully offer some brief sugges-
tions liz regard to the more promin emf topics
which demand your immediate and careful
attention.
The taxpayers in Maryland are looking
with great interest for your action in regard
to the best method of raising ths money
which is required to pay our proportion of
the national tax, levied by Congress, to aid
in dcfraying the expense of the war, and
also the other sums, which will be necessary
to enable this State to follow her own former
patriotic example and that of her loyal sis
tiers.
Our proportion of the national tax amounts
to the sum of four hundred and thirty-six
thousand eight hundred and twenty-three
dollars and thirty-thrce cents; and Congress
has allowed fifteen per centum of this sum
to be retained by us to defray the costs and
charges of collecting the same. 1t il impos-
sible for mo to offer any estimate of the a
mount that will be necessary for the other
purposes | have indicated. But / look up
on the whole subject as one in which dollars
and cents should not be regarded. The re-
bcllion is to be put down, no matter at
what cost. Our State must bear her share
of the expense, and our people have shown
their desire to do so by casting an overwhelm-
ing majority of their votes in favor of the
maintenance Of the Union.
Yours, then, should be no niggard hand.
In this case liberality will be economy; and
the people look to you thus to vindicate
their devotion to the government. A direct
tax, to raise the necessary amount, would,
in my opinion, fall heavily upon the people
at this time, because of the partial prostra-
ton OF the mercantile and industrial pur-
suits. OF course, if the money can be pro-
cured in no other way, direct taxation must
be resorted to. But, MS such tax is always
unacceptable, and would be onerous, under
all the circumstances, trust You will be
able to devise some method by which its
imposition at this time may be avoided.
The Legislature being consttutionally en-
powered "to contract debts to any amount
that may be necessary for the defence of the
State" i. seems to me that the best method
of raising the required sum would be to
borrow, on the bonds of the State, an "a
mount sufficient for our purpose, after de-
Quoting therefrom proper proportion to
be reserved as Sinking-fund for their re-
demption.
The interest on the bonds might be met
by very slight increase of the present small
rate Of direct taxation; which, so increased,
would not amount to the rate 80 long and
cheerfully borne by our people when no re-
bellion threatened the Union. by thus
pledging the States credit, the people will
be relieved from paying ut once the heavy
debt which has been fastened upon us by the
insane conduct Of the rebels. We shall also
be spared the modification which would GER
tainly ensue in consequence of our inability
to collect the necessary amount by direct tax
alton in due time to meet our Obligations to
the government.
1t may not be inappropriate to suggest
here that you cannot reasonably expect any
J assistance to meet the exigencies of such an
occasion from the current receipts into the
treasury. The comptroller of that depart
ment informs me that on the 80th Of Sep
TENDER, 1861, at the close of the fiscal year,
the condition of tho treasury was as follows
Balance on hand as of Sept.
30th, 1860, $225,587 10
Receipts during the year, 96O,8l3 0s
$1,21G,S56 Al
D;chnrrnl dnrinn fha xnnr 0dG 2hG |