Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1862-01-09

Maryland and Vrgini, are herewith submitted
am informed Ivy the commissioner that tie
tracing and marking OF the western line of II e
State from the Fairfax stone" to the northern
boundary of Maryland, was completed during
the summer 1860 The work was commenced
IN 1859, with the cooperation of Virginia. in
c 'nformity wi 81 pter 275 Of the acts Of 1852.
The commissioner on the part of Virginia failed
10 JON IN the completion Of the survey ; but it
beng matter of great Importance to Allegany
county that it should be no longer delayed, the
commissioner for Maryland completed the work
as required by chapter 385 of the acts of 1860.
The commissioner for Virginia was invited to
join the commissioner for Maryland in marking
the southern line between the Potomac aud the
Atlantic, the necessary surveys for which had
been made at the joint expense of the two States.
NO answer was received to that proposition, and
the intentions of the Legislature in this regard.
have not been carried out All the details con-
nected with the subject are fully set forth in
records and maps, transmitted to this depart
ment by our commissioner. suggest the pro-
prety of preserving those papers. They have
cost the State considerable sum, and will be
valuable in the future
| transmit herewith the report of the commits
sioners appointed by the act of 1860, chapter
l65, to define the boundary line between Dor
chester and Somerset counties. The sum of
five hundred and eghty-four dollars and thirty
seven cents was expended in the prosecution of
this commission, and the vouchers therefor are
on file in this department. The map referred
to in the report is on file in the Land Office.
AS incidentally connected with the subject of
the southern boundary of our State, transmit
a copy of petition of the inhabitants of Tan
gier Island, asking for the annexation Of that
Island to Maryland
trust that the condition of the Maryland
Penitentiary will receive due consideration at
your hands. The earnings of the Institution do
not pay its expenses, and it will be necessary
for you to aid it by a suitable appropriation
The reports Of the directors and officers with
accompanying statement, are herewith submit
ted.
In my communication to the General Assem-
bly, at its session in January, 1860, I suggested
the proprlety Of Furnishing crimes Of lesser grade
by confinement in the Pententiary for a shorter
period than the minimum then allowed by law.
The experiment has been made, and has not
met my expectation. The large number of
crlmlnals Of this class sentenced to the Peniten-
Gary mas imposed upon its finances burthen
which they cannot we'll endure.
When the convict is received at the Insttu-
ton he is provided with prison suit. When
he is t., be discharged he has to be supplied with
| another suit, and with two dollars in cash.
Having been confined but short time, he has
not earned sufficient to pay the expenses Of
| maintaining him, and the difference has to be
betrayed from the funds of the Institution. 1t
seems to be necessary, therefore, to make some
changes in the existing laws on this subject
While 1t is manifestly cruel and unjust to pun
| ish petty offenses by long terms of imprison-
ment, it is certain that the present mode of
punishment seriously interferes with the efficen-
cy of the Penitentiary. Perhaps the ends Of
justice might be fully attained by Furnishing this
class of offenders by short terms of imprlson-
ment in the jails or almshouses. at hard labor.
In this way they might, at the least, under an
efficient system. earn sufficient to pay the cost
Of maintaining them. If not, the expense could
be lightly borne by the several counties and the
city of Baltimore, and thus the resources of the
Pententiary be relieved from a heavy charge.
/ venture to suggest also, the expectancy of
reducing the number of directors of the Penten-
tiary, and of increasing their pay. / believe
step Will promote the efficiency of the
Institution and have no hesitation in xpress-
ing my conviction that the pay now received
by the directors is not adequate compensation
FOR the duties they are required to perform.
respectfully suggest the proprlcty Of mea-
W dSCe l'tlIl Iiic VIII Oh people III regard
to the assembling of convention to reform the
Constitution of our State. The time for such
ascertanment, as fixed by the Constitution itself
has arrived; and the singular condition Of our
State and National affairs renders it Imperative
! y necessary for us to look to changes in our
organic law
If, in your discretion, you deem it proper to
take the step have indicated, suggest the pro-
priety and economy of so framing the act for
that purpose that delegates to the convention
may be voted for at the time when the people
shall vote for or against convention. Ofcourse,
if the vote be against a convention, the election
of delegates will be void.
| Although the matter has been settled judicial
I ly, deem it due to myself to explain the part
| have taken in reference to the late contest for
the office of Comptroller of the Treasury The
Legislature of 1860 declared that A. Lingan
jarrett, Esq, was duly elected Comptroller in
consequence Of alleged frauds and violence at
election in Baltimore city, in November, 1859.
With the grounds of that decision had nothing
to do, therefore it would have been my duty to
cause said decision to be carried into effect had
7 not been fully satisfied that, in so doing, l
should violate a clear an6 plain law of the State.
The first section of article %. Of the Code of
Public General Laws, says that tsthe Comptroller
shall file his bond, and qualify by making the
declaration and taking the oaths required by the
Constitution and laws before the Governor on
or before the second Wednesday Of January
next, ensuing the election, on which said second
Wednesday of January the term Of his Office
/ shall commence"
The decision of the Legislature was arrived
at, and Mr.. Jarrett presented bis bond and Of
fered to take the oath of Office long after the ex
piration of the period fixed by law for those
! A 7 odp cforf tho Oot FL
of office to him without palpably violating the
law, l refused to accede to his request to do so,
and took no action in the matter except to en-
dorse upon the bond offered by him my belief
that the sureties thereto were sufficient. Where
upon Mr. Jarrett instituted certain legal pro-
ceedings in the premises, which were afterwards
withdrawn. Subsequently the incumbent OF
the Office resigned, and ] appointed DR.. Dennis
f Claude to fill the vacancy.
Il The Legislature, at its special session at Fred
erick, passed an act to enable Mr.: jarrett to
boforo ono IF tho .Iucoes IF the G,,lrt nj