Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-01-12
I'll Il S Il N TIN Ell.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

treating Of a large number of Liects Of pub
lie interest. We publish the following com
prehensiye synopsis prepared by the Baltimore
Sun, embracing the main features of the Mes
sagei
Following the customary recognition Of the
temporal blessings for which our Stale 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.
Outing the last fiscal year a reduction of lie
State debt was effected TO the extent o. ST.
05o,o73 "a This Yves accomplished By dis
posing u siark owned by The State in the
Baltimore aud Ohio railroad, en- which profit
was realized Of Sl77, 00l above its par value.
The actual debt If The State, bearing interest,
on the 30lh day Of September, 1871 is put
down a. So, 436,7ls G8. The productive as
sets Of the State are computed at S7,Tls,425
%, and The unpfoductiye assets, chiefly bonds
stock &c, Of tile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
nj $40, 81, 100 &C. This last investment. after
having been looked upon for nearly q quarter
Of a century as almost worthless, the Governor
predicts can he made in the course of tie next
eleven years TO yield The State Il yearly reve-
nue. Of half million of dollars, when it will
no longer be cIassed among the ''unproductivc
! assets His expectation Of this result the
Governor bases upon continuance Of the
policy in the management of the canal adopted
by the present board of public works Ia
another portion of the message devoted espe-
caIiy to discussion of the affairs of the canal
| the Governor refers 'with peculiar pride and
pleasure" TO the results already ACCOMPLISHED
as - complete vindication Of the policy against
the criticisms of personal and political oppo-
nents.
In reference TO the State finances generally,
the Governor recommends first, continuance
Of the retirement of the public debt secondly,
stringent measures against the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company to compel the pay
melt oil the moneys already decided by the
| courts to be due from the Company 10 the
State, and amounting, the Governor saws, to
nearly = million Of dolIars then the cancella-
ton OF portion of the sinking fund debt
aud lastly, greater economy in legislative mp
| preparations. The passage Of It law is also
recommended TO compel more prompt set Ie-
ment of their liabilities by Incorporated insti-
tutions and accounting officers
Tie cause of public education and the school
| system is commended 10 the attention Of the
Legislature, with thesnggesion that the whole
sHhject should undergo careful scrutiny and
revision. In particular the Governor advises
the establishment Of high schools, as u counec-
| ting link between the common schools and
colleges, in every county, or at least in one or
two adjoining counties, and II more generous
| provision for tile support of colored schools
The school taxes paid by the colored people
| themselves, he Justly observes, amount 10 so
| small Il sum as to be "practcallY worthless
I for the purpose, while the best interests of the
Stale, with the marked good behavior of this
class of our population, dictate that the OPP
poruntY III least Of rudimcnta education
should be afforded Them The message further
advises discontnuance of tho policy of MAX
ing donations ont Of the State Treasury to pri-
vate and sec,arian Institutions.
Upon the immigration question, which he
recognizes as OF the highest importance 10 the
agricultural interests Of the State, The Cover
nor declines TO endorse the appeal Of the State
convention held some time since in this city,
for an appropriation Of $500, coo from the
State treasury 10 promote the purposes Of i'm
migration, but thinks that far smaller sun
might be proftably expended in diflnsing IN
formation, under proper authority, in regard
to the peculiar and exceptional attractions
which Maryland offers to settlers.
The Legislature is urged to take steps 10
settle the disputed boundary question ton the
Eastern Shore) between Maryland and yir-
ginia The possible dangers which may arise
from leaving the question in an unsettled state
are pointed out and becoming recognition is
made OF the spirit Of comfy exhibited by the
Virginia authorities upon the subject.
Two topics in connection with the pentcn-
tiary and the treatment Of criminals are dis
cussed, viz: The abuse Of the pardonjng power
and the necessity Of regulating the subject of
prison labor so as not to come into competition
with the labor interests generally. This last
object the Governor thinks, can be effected BIZ
prohibiting the manufacture Of any article as
speciaity in tie penitentary which is made
TO any extent by our citizens, and that MS
many branches of manufacture as possible be
established in The peniteniiary, and that coz
viets confined for minor offences be employed |
under proncr supervision, as chaiu-rangs, 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-gang for imprisonment in Jail for
petty ofienses. The Governor defends himself
from the charge Of having abused the exccn-
tive prcro2ati"e Of clemeEcy, but strongly re- /
rommends the passage Of an act authorizing |
the abridgment Of tie length Of the prison SEN
lence, in case Of good behavior, aud leaving |
the application Of the act in the hands Of the I
warden and directors.
Considerable space, rs might be expected, is /
tiven 70 the subject Of the pending controYer-
lies between the State and the Baltimore and |
ohio railroad. The progress made in the suits T
llrcady Instituted under the authority and BY I
direction Of the Legislature and the successful /
State 50 far rs the State tribunals are concern
ID, are detailed; the duty Of providing for Tie
Of the distinguished council en-
gaged is suggested, and q resort to sharp and
decisive measures against the road, in case Of
Hrther delinquency, is strongly urged. Upon
bis point the Governor writes with good
leal Of earncstness and warmth He insists
hat, in justice TO all other taxpaYing interests
n the State, the company should not be re-
ieyed from the payment Of the bonus with
'ut the passage Of a law at the same time sub
Getting all its property to taxation. lie argues
n favor Of the right Of tie Legislature 10 re- J
zeal the exemption from taxation now enjoyed !
" the company, and against the policy Of
Hch exemptions in general. Tie quotes largely :
ii stippori Of his views from himself This mes !
are Of 1870. and also from ex-Attorney Cen {
raI Jones. and in reference 70 tie money al {
eadv decided lJy tho Court Of Appealsj f. Re
ue from the company 10 the state, be urges
hat IL pay megt be further objected 70 or de-
lycd. proceedings he instituted hy writ Of {
cine [1cias 10 yacate the charter Of the COM I
any. /
The Governor further complains of tie neg /
ret Of The company. ia common with most Of
be Incorporated Institutions Of the State, to
iale the comptroller returns required by Sec q
on 90, article 81 Of the code Of general laws ,
his he regards as further evidence Of the dis 7
ositio1 Of the great incorporated interests 10
fade the performance Of their just and legal
to the State, and recommends ihat !
idtional penalties be prescribed 10 compel /
jmplance with the law 3
The affairs Of other railroads are briefly dis
Used, with the exception Of the projected