The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-01-14
The Governors Message.

the Legislature laid quite lengthy and
able message before that body. Owing to
the length Of the document our columns are
wholly inadequate to the space required for
its publication. We are, therefore, reluct
antly restricted to brief synopsis of the
message, and some extracts touching the
most interesting subjects discussed by the
Governor.
The message alludes to the new Constitu
ton and the change OF our system of labor
at it's opening, and urges, in Il modest way,
Maryland claims to compensation from the
general government for emancpated slaves.
On the registry law and Public School
system, the message speaks in the following
language:
The abuse of the elective franchise has
been a subject Of frequent complaint and is
one in which every citizen very justly feels Il
lively interest. The polls, upon election
day, are by no means the proper place, nor
is that the proper time, to adjudicate upon
the rights of voters, and the scenes there
witnessed must have frequently suggested
nected with such rights dispassonately dis
posed of elsewhere. The present Constitu
ton of the State having very materially re-
stricted the elective franchise by denying
that right to those who have be. in armed
hostility to the national authority, or aided
or counenanced in the manner therein lndl-
Gated, those participating in the rebellion,
the number and importance of the questions
upon which the right of voting depends, are
consequently much enlarged. and the ncces
sity is therefore more urgent than ever, that
some other time and tribunal than the day
and the judges of election should be provid
ed to determine them.
Other parts of the Constitution expressly
requiring your action will doubtless attract
your notice, whilst some of them are, in my
opinion so important as to make it proper
for me to bring them to your special atten-
ton. None Of them exceed in Importance
the requirements in regard to a system of
public instruction, and consider it subject
of especial congratulation that ;n enterprise
which has so long engaged the attention of
our most thoughtful citizens, excited such
anxious concern, and been so repeatedly
urged upon the attention Of our Legislative
Assemblies, is at last about to be inaugureted
upon so liberal basis, and with such prom
Use of success. The tax of ten cents on the
hundred dollars which you are required to
levy for the support of the Free Schools of
u.
on same amount towards permanent fund,
the increments of which shall hereafter sup
port the system without further taxation,
though to some they may seem. as all new
taxes usually do, oppressive, will, | have no
doubt, pay us in the end better premium
on the investment than any tax for any other
Improvement to which we have ever submit
ted.
For an account of the finances of the
State, the message refers to the Report of
the Comptroller of the Treasury for a detail
ed statement, which shows that our financial
condition is still entirely prosperous, and
shat but for extraordinary demands growing
out of the bounty claims, our income from
ordinary sources would have been quite sut-
ficient without any direct tax to meet our
annual liabilities.
THE BouNTTEs PAID VOLUNTEERS, ETC.
Warrants issued to County and
City authorities to make cash
and monthly payments to s.
| 800 volunteers. 81, 412, 500
Amount required for payment
of ultimate instamcnt due
when discharged. say $50 each 20t $50
Amount required for owners of
1894 slaves at S10O.......... 139, 400
Amount required for 1894
slaves, recruits, say $50 when
mustered in and $40 when dis
charged Observation-Disclosures. 139, 400
Total ......................".$2,0 45, $50
Amount paid to 30th Septem-
Der as above stated. 1921 $50
Balance unpaid. $7G4, 700
The Legislature is invited to cooperate
with the Governor in maturing the militia
system of the State.
The General Assembly, at its last session,
passed an act providing for the organization
and discipline of the militia which after
making q few general provisions in the way
of an outline Of the subject, and repeating
all the militia laws then existing, authorized
the Governor, by general and special orders,
to make such rules and regulations on the
subject as might be constitutional and neces-
sary, and which rules and regulations were
to have the force and effect of law.
The Governor appointed a Committee of
five gentlemen, one from each Congressional
District in the State, to assist him in the
work, and suggests the passage of an act of
Assembly, adopting the rules and orders re-
ferred to, as the militia law of the State, in
order that cavil may be prevented
The Public Works, Penitentiary, Oyster
Laws, Charitable Institutions each receives
attention in the message.
AS the present Gubernatoral term will
close before the meeting Of the next General.
Assembly, the Governor concludes his mes.
sage with profound acknowledgements for
the trust with which the people have honored
him.
Mr.. Creswell's Speech.
| We will publish, in our next issue, the
able speech of Hon. j. A. J. Creswell, de-
livcred in the House of Representatives, on
Thursday, 9Th inst, on the emancipation of
slavery by change of the Constitution of
the United States. The speech is one of
Mr.. Creswelrs most able and patriotic ef-
forts in favor of the noble cause for which
he has struck so many sturdy blows.