Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-01-12
For the Sentinel.
The Future Prospects of Maryland.

From careful perusal of the Governors
| Message, and the Report of the State Treasu-
| rer, it is easily seen that there has scarcely
1 been a time in the history of the State of Ma
ryiand when its finances presented brighter
| prospect.
BY the application ofthe productive assets
| to the payment Of the States debt, it would
scarcely leave due at this time by the State,
1000, 600, which, with its sources of revenue,
would be an insignificant debt
But when we carefully consider what effect
a proper and diligent management of the
Chesapeake aud Ohio Canal has had upon the
revenues of that great work, with a coninu-
ance OF the same, we may hope to see in a few
years, the entire State debt paid from that
source, and handsome surplus in the Trea-
sury.
The action Of the Legislature now Ia session
Cooking to the financial condition Of the
State) is one of momentous interest to its cti-
zens and to the Democratic and Conservative
party.
Looking at the present condition of the Ca
nal, 1t is all-important that no new, expert.
mental legislation should be had, which would
in any way jeopardise the revenues received
therefrom.
1t is clearly foreshadowed that an attempt
will be made by the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
Road to have the bonus on the Washington
Branch, which it is now by the decisions of
the highest Court in our State compelled to
pay, removed.
When we consider the fact that the immense
amount of property now held in this State by
the Baltimore and Ohio r. r. is free from tax
alton, and contributes nothing to the support
of the State, it is highly proper that this bo-
nus on the Washington Branch should be pre-
served to the State unless the Rail Road Com
pany by its own action will assent that its
property shall be regularly taxed like other
rftrs - Gt.fa 4
then Of the State government.
The Democratic and Conservative party will
be held responsible for any legislation which
may, by It's action, deprive the State of the
present revenue received from the Rail Road
Company.
There can be no grounds of excuse for such
action, the legality Of the matters and uues-
tons involved has stood the test of the highest
Judicial tribunal in the State, and the moral
Justice of this claim is at once set at rest when
we consider the Company pays no other taxes.
Under circumstances like these, any legisa-
tor who would be bold enough 10 vote to ex-
empt the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Com
pany from all and any taxation to support the
State government, however easy he might
quiet his own conscience, he would have a
hard task to satisfy the people that his actions
did not look more to the interest and protec-
ton of the Railroad Company than to the
welfare and prosperity of the people of the
State. Again, the Rail Road Company has
no Just plea even to ask its friends to advocate
or support such measure. 1t is not embar-
raised with debt it is not laborng under
adverse circumstances, but from its own show
ing it is in most prosperous condition, and
each year is adding greatly to its wealth and
growth.
1t is to be hoped that in the future no more
charters will be granted by which corpora
tions will be exempted from paving taXe5 to
the State. If they should be too feeble at first
to pay taxes and need protection, let the right
Of taxation be reserved TO be exercised in the
future, when the State shall think proper.
Any legislation which favors @ particular
class, corporation or person, must be partial
and work gross injustice; and it is to be hoped
that the action of our Legislature on the sub
ject of taxation will look entirely to equalizng
this burthen, so that in the future its action
may not prove a just cause of reproach TO
them and the party which the majority Of that
body represents. OBSERF Err.