The Portland daily press., 1866-01-12
Synopsis of Coz. s,cai,,e's Message.

BALTIMORE, Jan. II.
Gov. Swaine submitted his message to the
extra session of the Legislature to-day. He
gives the reason for the call of the present ex-
ira session, that the finances of the State, I'M
der extraordinary demands growing out OF the
rebellion, and the failure to make our credit
available under the provisions of the late coun-
ty act upon terms satisfactory to the treasury.
The county bonds of the State, owing
to the competition with other States and the
general government, were not as successful as
expected, and he recommends an amendment
exempting those bonds from State county and
municipal taxation. The Governor sustains
the justice and constitutionality of the State
Register law, in reference to the disfranchise-
ment of a portion of the citizens of the State
He says it has been alleged that the dominant
party who now control the State, represents
only minor part of the aggregate population.
Small, however, as the minority may be, it
cannot be deemed that it is the fair and legiti-
mate representation of whatever there is of
loyalty among our people. They are the men
to whom you are indebted for the safety of
your State, and without which uncompromis-
ing devotion to the Union, Maryland would
have been handed over to indiscriminate des-
tructlon. S
In reply to those who urge the repeal of the
law, he says: do not feel authorized to rec
ommend a Reputation by the Legislature Of
the organic law of your State by any radical
modification of the terms of the registration
act. Ft4s
The Governor next discusses at leugth the
subject of Federal relations, approving the
Presidents reconstruction policy.
Referring to the suffrage question, he saws
with the Southern and Middle States, and per-
haps four own State, the issue of negro suf-
frage is a subject of the gravest import. Mas
sachusetts, with her nine thousand or ten
thousand negroes, in an aggregate population
of one million two hundred thousand souls,
Maine with her six hundred in an aggregate
of more than one million three hundred thou
sand souls (?); Vermont with her seven hum
bred in an aggregate gilmore than three hundred
thousand souls; New Hampshire with her five
hundred in an aggregate of more than five hun
bred thousand ?); and the other Free States
standing in the same numerical relation, would
hardly claim to approach this issue from a
common standpoint even with our State. The
loyal men of the South, admit tied to be ever so
limited in number, stand in no relation which
would justify, even if the power existed under
the Constitution the forcble surrender of
their country into the hands of the African
race. have advocated the cause of universal
emancipation in Maryland, and throughout
the country, because believe it to be a meas
ure of duty, as well as urgent State necessity.
But could not justify myself to the people of
Maryland if I should give countenance to the
effort now making by some impulsive men, no
doubt sincere and honest in their convictions,
to confer universal suffrage upon the negro
race. s.f'a .
/ cordially accept the views of President
johnson in reference to the only practical
mode of adjustment between these conflicting
interests. am willing to do the colored race
justice, If they prefer to remain with us upon
terms not consistent with our claim to exclu-
sive control in the government of the States.
L am willing to- try the experiment without
prejudice to the fullest extent, but am not at
liberty to withhold opinions which were fore
Swallowed by my taking the oath of office I'M
der your new constitution, whose provisions
denied the right of suffrage to the negro,
that his manifest destiny assigns him sooner
or later, not as the result of Legislative COM
pulsion, but of his own voluntary motion. to
some more congenial locality, where his dis
tinctive characteristics will furnish no barrier
to his enjoyment of social and political rights.