Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1874-01-16

been cut OIL tor the last year, ana the
deficit is thus increased. The Comp
troller states that he has never yet been
able to obtain a trial in the suits enter
ed to compel the railroad companies to
pay taxes on their gross rec pts. At
another stage of his report Mr.. Wool
ford mentions the Northern Central,
the Philadelphia, Wilmington Nd
Baltimore, and the Baltimore ana Ohio
as the companies against which suits
have been brought. He then contin-
ues to argue the right of the State to
impose such taxes upon these corpora
tons, quoting from precedent, and
championing the agricultural interests
rs those more entitled to be lightly
taxed rather than powerful and wealthy
railroad corporations. If there is dis
elimination against the farmer or prl-
vate landholder and in favor of the
corporations, he urges thatinvestments
in real estate will indeed be rare if it
is known to be the settled policy of the
State that this species of property shall
/ find no relief, while the best dividend
paving stocks are to be forever free
! from taxation" "Hence," continues
! the Comptroller. 'it is incumbent on
the General Assembly to correct the
defects in existing laws, and so perfect
the revenue system that no profitable
investment or business shall escape its
proper share of taxation"
/ The above plea for the equalization
/ of taxation, and particularly for plac-
ing portion of the burden upon the
moneyed corporations which are press
/ ing upon the Legislature for repeal
of the laws under which they are thus
taxed, comprises the chiefrecommenda-
tons of the report. The remainder of
the document is little more than a re-
capitulation of figures. The receipts
( for the current fiscal year are calcula-
ted at S2.005, ,iS9, and the expenses at
Sl,9l6,527, SO that we may reasonably
expect 10 have balance Of over half
million in the Treasury on the 30th
of September. 1874. The free school
fund had an income of $50, 1861 in
1872, and an outlay of SOS. .976.73, leav-
/ ing a balance of $l4,220.0S. The to-
tai investments on behalf of the fund
amount to 1911. 4.ol6.l6 and the sinking
fund stands at S66,579.2S, which is in
cash aud applicable to the redemption
of the public debt. A showing of the
manner in which the credit and means
OF the State have been abused in for
mer years 40 afforded by the simple
statement that out of its twenty mil
ly.,,- Of laiinrs &c Lass
than five millions are productive of in
: 'c..!!.es- Much ofthe unproductivei in
vcstment is made up - tilo :ate's in
tcrest in the Chesapeake and Ohio Ca
nal, which Is gradually paving off the
interest on its preferred bonds, and
promise at not a very distant period of
time To return something TO the State
for her large outlay. The State debt
Is Sl0,.4l,2l5.6O. II has been increas-
rd hy the Issue of sos. 200 Of the De-
fence Loan, and decreased $6l2 2,35l..6.
The net decrease, however, is but $l70,-
iG3.l5, the balance being accounted
for exchanges under the act of 1S12.-
We confess to an inability to compre-
hend Mr. Woolford's arithmetic in this
item of his report.
/ The Comptroller complains of the
Legislature for having, at its last ses-
sion, failed 10 frame license law with
regard to sample traders, that shall ap-
ply equally To home and foreign ira
ders, and SO keep within the limits of
the Constitution Of the United States.
He recommends that the license for
selling by sample, when the stock of
goods is not owned in this State, to be
fixed at 500 per year. There is vet
due from collectors of taxes. who have
/ failed to make returns, $iS3. .66S.99.-
Some of these claims are thirty years
old, and all are in the hands of the vari-
Gus States Attorneys for collection.
/ Dctaulting Sheritfs also owe the State
$26. 1. and the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad is put down us debtor in the
sum of S129,5l4. The National banks
are in arrears for taxes on their shares
SlSS, S,391.94, and it is impossible to col
lcct the debt on account of defect in
the law.
In concluding his report, Mr.. Wool
ford suggests the propriety of new
assessment of property throughout the
State, with Il view of equalizing the
basis Of taxation. He urg yes economy
on the part of the Legislature, the pur-
pose of his recommendation being APP
parently to warn it from making hea-
W appropriations with the expectation
of meeting them ont of the amounts due
from National banks, railroad compa-
nies. coal companies and State Off
cials still in default. 1t is very pro-
blematical as to what portion of the
large sums will ever be maintained,
and the Comptroller does we'll in init
mating to the Legislature that it
should not rely upon them as available
resources. s.-BaH. 4mericau.
Bg- Endeavor, if possible, to keep a
clear conscience, and two or three clean
shirts. Rise with the lark, but avoid
larks in the evening. Be above ground
in all dwellings, and above board in all
your dealings. Love your neighbor as
yourself, but don't have too many in
the same house with you.
A chiropodist announces on his
cards that he has removed corns from