Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-01-12
gtat9 affalrs.
The Governors Message.

Fl ef u II III
is a document of considerable length,
treating Of large number Of subjects of
public interest We copy the following
synopsis Of it from the Baltimore Sun:
Following the customary recognition of
the temporal blessings for which our State
and people have cause to be thankful. we
have an exhibit of the financial condition
of the State. which is represented to be
very satisfactory" During the last fis-
cal year a reduction of the State debt was
effected to the extent Of 81, ,050, ,073 "a.
This was accomplished by disposiug of
stock owned by the State in the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, on which profit was.
realized Of $177 601 above its par value.
The actual debt of the State, bearing in
terest. on the 30th day Of September.
1871, is put down at $124S6,718 t68
The productive assets of the State are
computed at 81 718 425 94. and the un-
productive assets, chiefly bonds, stock.
&C.. of the chesapeake and Ohio Canal,
at $40. SIT 169 So. This last invest
ment, after having been looked upon for
nearly quarter of century as almost
worthless, the Governor predicts can be
made In the course of the next eleven
years to yield the State a yearly revenue
of half million of dollars, when it will
no longer be classed among the ''unpro-
ductive assets" His expectation of this
result the Governor bases upon contin-
uance of the policy in the management of
the Canal adopted by the present Board
of Public Works In another portion of
the message. devoted specially to dis
cussion Of the affairs Of the Canal. the
Governor refers with peculiar pride and
pleasure" to the results already accom-
lplished as complete vindication of the
policy and action against the criticisms of
persons and political opponents. In ref
erence to the State finances generally, the
Governor recommends first continuance
of the retirement of the public debt; Sec
ondly, stringent measures against the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company to-
Ecompel the payment of the money already
decided by the courts to be due from the
company to the State. and amounting. the
GoVernpr says, TO nearlysa millipn. Of dol-i
| lars; third, a cancellation OF a portion of
the sinking fund debt; and lastly, greater
economy in legislative appropriations
The passage of a law is also recommended
to compel more prompt settlement of
their liabilities by Incorporated institutions
and accounting officers.
The cause of public education and the
school system is commented to the atten-
| tion of the Legislature. with the sugges-
ton that the whole subject should undergo
careful scrutiny and revision In particu-
lar the Governor advises the establish
ment of high schools, as connecting link
between the common schools and colleges.
| In every county. or at least in one of two
adjoining counties. and more generous
provision for the support of the colored
schools. The school taxes paid by the
colored people themselves. he justly OBJ
serves. amount to so small sum as to be
practically worthless" for the purpose,
while the best interests of the State, with
the marked good behavior of this class of
our population, dictate that the oppor-
tunity Of at least rudimental education
should be afforded them" The message
further advises discontinuance of the
policy of making donations out of the
State Treasury to private and sectarian
institutions.
Upon the immigration question, which
ne recognizes as of the highest Importance
to the agricultural interests OF the State,
the Governor declines to endorse the ap-
peal Of the State Convention held some
time since In this city. for an appropria-
tion of $500. 600 from the State Treasury
to promote the purposes of immigration.
but thinks that far smaller sum might
be proftably expended in difusing infor-
nation. under proper authority. in regard
TO the peculiar and exceptional attractions
which Maryland offers to settlers.
The Legislature is urged to take steps
to settle the disputed boundary question
(on the Eastern Shore) between Maryland
and Virginia. The possible dangers which
MAY ariae from leaving the question in an
unsettled state are pointed out. and be-
coming recognition is made of the spirit
# conity exhibited by the Virginia au-
thorities upon the subject.
Two topics in connection with the Pen
itentiary and the treatment of criminals
are discussed, viz: The abuse of the par.
doniug power and the necessity of regula-
ling the subject of prison labor so as not
to come into competition with the labor
j interests generally. This last object. the
Governor thinks. can be effected by pro-
hibifing the manufacture OF any article as
a speciality in the Penitentiary which is
made to any extent by our citizens, and
that as mauy branches Of manufacture as
possible be established in the Penitentiary,
and that convicts confined for minor often
Ises be employed, under proper supervis-r
lion. as chain gangs, to work the county
roads. As auxiliary to this last plan the
message recommends that the code be so
amended as to substitute labor in the road
Igang for Imprisonment in Jail for petty
lofenses The Governor defends himself