The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-01-20

GOV. swANN,s MESSAGE.
lProm the paItImore sun

General Assembly isa document which, il is to
be presumed, will be generally perused by our
readers, notwithstanding its length. 1t gives
pretty full review Of the financial and material
interests generally Of the State, as well as the
citY of Baltimore, besides some very positive ut
ievances on The political situation, especially as
it affects our own people.
After the expression Of gratitude to God for
the protecting arm extended over the country
during the late rebellion, the Governor declares
that the condition of the finances Of the State,
under the extraordinary demands growing out
OF the war; imposed the duty of calling the ex-
ira session, the purpose being also to suggest
such reforms and improvements as may be de-
manded by the change in our-organic law, and
the example of sister States A ncid history Of
the origin Of our State debt and the purposes
accomplished by it, in.works Of internal improve
ment, is given. There having been surplus Of
81 600 900 in the Stale treasury at the end OF the
fiscal year 1863, it is gratifying 10 know, says
the Governor, that the whole increase of The per-
manent debt, referabe TO war expenditures does
not exceed $5O1 900, and our claim upon tho
general government, should the war debt of the
States be assumed by Congress, will amount to
IS, 900, 900 and upwards. Specific recommended
tons, however, on the financial subject, are not
thought advisable in advance Of the official re-
ports OF the comptroller and treasurer, and the
effect on the receipts OF The treasury, which the
chsnge ia our system nf labor may accomplish,
will he ascertaned and reported 10 the next sta
ted uieerlng OF the General Assembly.
The failure 10 negoiaie the four million boun-
IS loan oF last session, induces the recommcnda-
ton that The bounty act be so amended rs TO ex-
empt the b0Dds from State, county and munci-
pal taxation The eale OF the stock held by the
State in her incorporated banking institutions is
also recommended, and the in, estment Of the
amount so far rs Represented by public school
aud sinking fund, in the bounty bonds. The
bounties paid mp 20 this time have reached So
67S, 600, derived from the substitution of accrn-
ing revenue and obligations incurred with tho
banks of Baltimore and elsewhere, which latter,
il is a measure Of pressing necessity to provide
for by the sale OF bonds after their exemption
from taxation, as recommended, in the next six
ty days. ~
4 re-assessment Of the property of the State
Is deemed essential by reason Of the changes
since 1882 in order TO proper understanding OF
our real financial condition
The value of the Chesapeake bay to the State
as source OF revenue, and the fact that it has
become field for unlicensed marauders, paying
no tar to the State, are set forth. Under the law
Of the last session our citizens subject TO trib
ute in taking oysters, while no adequate check is
imposed upon strangers. The whole revenue de-
rived from the Law Is $36, 600. Its prompt mod
iication is recommended aud the appointment
OF an Officer 10 exercise q vigiant supervision OF
this large and increasing trade, with the control
Of revenue steamer properly equipped, etc.
Liberal encouragement OF emigration into the
State is recommended, in order to avert the con-
sequences attending the change in our labor sys-
ienl, already seriously felt in many parts Of the
State. we'll organized plan for bringing 10
the notice OF cmigrauts from foreign countries,
authentic and reliable statistics of the climate,
employment and wages, distIibnted by recog-
niEed officer Of the State it is believed would be
preferable to a system Of expensive agencies, and
with the view OF attracting capitalists by cheap
lands, u schedule oi sll property in the State in
the market for SALE is proposed TO be kept at the
Office OF a bureau in Baltimore, organized for the
purpose-tbe bureau to consist OF the board Of
public workB-with a commissioner of emigra-
ton 10 act as permanent secretary and custodian
OF charts aud papers. The expense attending
this board should fall rateably upon the receipts
into the treasury OF all internal improvement
companies holding chartersfrom the State.
The importance of the harbor of Baltimore in
view of our geographical position, TO our State
and city, and the great West, in connection with
our great railroad, as well rs the general govern
-neut, Is dwelt upon. The efforts heretofore made
20 deepen the approach 10 the harbor, by the
construction OF ships channel, are related, with
.ions in 1852 by toe city council, the State and
general government Interesting statistics are
given 10 show that our harbor must be the rem
devious OF q great trade, in which the govern
meut will not DO the least interested participant;
and tits urged that steps be taken at once 10
bring the attention Of ourrepresentatiyes in Con-
QresS to the advantage Of the harbor'of Balti-
more, in connection with our naval marine, in an
economical point OF view, aud the strong claims
OF our State to aid from Congress in recommenc-
ing the work upon our ship-channel, with a view
to a competent and unobstructed highway to the
ocean, at the earliest practicable day. The amount
OF appropriation needed will be nominal compar-
ed with Its value and importance to the govern
ment.
The attention OF the Legislature is again invi-
ted to the plan for reorganiZing the militia, (not
acted upoD at the last session for want of time,)
and the making OF provision by the State for the
support of manned and disabled soldiers is said
TO be demanded. 1t is suggested that this last
be referred to q select committee OF the legisla-
ture.
With regard to the suggestion OF the Secretary
OF the Navy for the removal of the Navy Acade-
my from Annapolis, the Governor says the cn-
largement Of the grounds to any reasonable ex-
tent required ly the Government has never been
brought officially 10 the attention Of either the
authorities OF the State or the city OF AnnapoliS.
Every requirement OF the Secretary, ne says
would be promptly met upon terms quite as sat-
isfaciery aa could be obtained in any other local
ity, and as far as the State could contribute 10
the object by ihe ,urrPuder OF theexecutive man
ion and the grounds adjacent, the most liberal
spirit would De manifested while the authorities
OF the city of Annapolis pledge their cordial CO.
operation in meeting the views OF the Depart-
meut.
The subject of revising the laws relating to ne
groes, now that slavery is abolished, is urged as
a duty, in order that the status of the freedmen
Of Maryland should be distinctly and clearly de-
fined in the State Our statute books are burth-
ened with laws calculated to confuse and lead to
embarrassment in the action OF the courts. These
should be carefully revised by some competent
authority, and system adopted which will give
protection and guidance 10 the colored spopula-
tiou In this connection the Governor hopes
that steps may be taken, at an early day, TO con.
fer upon the freedmen the privilege of testifying
in our courts. He recommends thatauthority be
given TO appoint Il commissioner TO revise all
laws relating TO the former status OF the negro,
and report at the regular session IN January next.
The act for the registration of voters, the Gov
eruor says, has been threatened with resistance
in some parts of the State, chiefly among those
who, in the face Of the decision Of our highest
tribunal, persist in denying its constitutionality
and tue object TO the oath Of allegiance which it
imposes. lIt should be recollected that that de-
cision has not been long given.) lie admits that
abuses have arisen in the execution of this law,
and that qualified voters as well as others have
been arbitrarily disfranchised, upon frivolous and
irrelevant issues, and thinks that the law would
ha%eb less liable to abuse had il embodied tho
feature OF appeal to some competent tribunal
II is referred to also that the act was passed at
time when the ravaRcs OF civil war were desola-
ting our State, and that it has been alleged that
the now dominant party controlling the State rep
resents a minority Of her aggregate population.
But Mr.. Swami says the repeal of the registra-
tion act, in bis judgment will not materially benz
eft any class Of voters who have been heretofore
dIsfranchised under its provisions. To alter or