The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-01-16
The Governors Message.

The first annual message of Governor
Whyte, which was sent to the Legislature on
the 9h, is one of the ablcst documents of
the kind that has ever come from the pen of
any Executive. 1t touches upon every point
Of general importance that should engage the
attention Of the Legislature, and in the clear
est and most concise manner, with q conspc-
\ uous absence of every effort at rhetorical
"a display. The Governors suggestions are in
all respects Practical and right TO the point
The condensed statement given by the
Governor of the financial condition of Mary
land, is especially gratifying, and affords the
strongest refutation Of the Radical charge
that the Democratic party is plunging the
State into ruin. Governor Whyte, upon this
point says:
The following condensed statement will
furnish you with succinct information on that
subject:
The receipts for the fiscal year ending
Both September, 1873, were. 50, 49,, G17 4S
Balance Ill treasury sep ~ lS12... 339, III 10
-, Total. ..........;......;......ss771,s 4S IS
The disbursements during the same
r fiscal year were. 2,as7, oSs Sc
Leaving in the treasury, as of the LIST
Of October, 1873 S4S4, $40 %
The aggregate debts ofthe State for
which interest has to be provided
were on the Both September, 1873 SO III, 10 co
( ~ he State holds in productive as
@S sets, as appears from the comptrol-
lers report. .... 4, 522, 043 4G
Leaving the State debt over and
above its assets estimated US pro-
uuclNc. .......,......... 6,219 liz IA
To meet this surplus Of debts however,
there are unproductivc assets amounting to
sci Cos, 1914 81.
u is expected that the Indebtedness of the
4 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company to the
\ State, accounting the org nal investments and
accrued interest, and amounting to $20136,-
2Gp7, will before many years be transferred
from the schedule Oh unproductivc assets to
that of interest paying securities, and thus
there will be furnished II fund from which
I--lmple means will be obtained to retire the
ptblc debt, and leave large balance over
:. aid above all the liabilities OF the State.
Upon the above showing we may reason.
\ ably expert that in few years longer the
State tax may be abolished altogether, or at
least be reduced to nominal amount
Another point that the Governor presses
apon the attention Of the Legislature and
one, too, of the utmost importance to the ag-
ricultural community at least, is the subject
of Immigration. The message says
The necessity for immigration to supply
the lost labor and to advance the material
prosperity of the State is too apparent for
=, discussion. Since the expiration of the term
OF office OF the superintendent of labor and
. a. L..
work to turn the tide of immigration to our
borders. Efforts must be made to acquaint the
foreigner, intending settlement in these States
the great advantages to be derived by
#ssRlalnirg on the scaboard instead of pur-
SSsfF " his journey to the far West. To this
sfy5Hr j earnestly recommend the creation
of board of immigration similar to those
appointed in other States, TO take this whole
subject in charge and to furnish proper infor-
nation to immigrants in relation TO the salu-
brity Of our climate, the fertility of soil the
chcapness of lands the moderate State tax
alton, and the facilities of transportation 10
she markets of Baltimore and Philadelphia.
That such information contained in brief
documents, printed in the English, German,
French and Danish languages and spread
among the inhabitants of those countries,
would be productive of most beneficial re-
suits no one can doubt.
nave had such applications for iniorma-
ton Of this character made by prominent
foreigners, but have had no proper documents
to furnish TO the inquirers.
1t is the opinion of the Governor that the
present registration system furnishes the ma
chinery for fraud more perfectly than any
which could be devised, and lie proposes an
amendment TO the Constitution, abo.ishinr
the system or at least the passage of laws for
the protection of officers of registration fiom
malicious prosecutions for the performance
OF their duty The registration law, it is
generally admitted, is very defective in many
particulars but with some improvements
and notifications it may be made far more
useful than it now is in securing fair ex-
preston of theHgill of the people at elections.
The great number of points adverted to by
thc Governor swell the message to such a
length that we have not the space for com
pletc synopsis Of lis contents; but the above
are, perhaps, lis most salient features, and
those that will attract the greatest attention.