The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-01-12
Bubble Afairs.


with a reference to the report Of the comp
troIler and the exhibit made by that Off
Ger Of the finances Of the State. The re-
ceipts Of the State treasurer from all
sources for the year ending September 30
were S2.109, 1875, TO be added to a
balance in the treasury on September 80,
1876, Of $40I ,434.29 The expenditures
during the same period have been 81, 179, :
813.76, leaving balance in the treasury
on September 30, 1877, Of $3.50, 814.26.
Deducting from the total expenditures the
sum paid for interest on the public debt,
redemption Of the overdue sterling bonds,
and the support Of public schools, acade-
mics and colleges, amounting in the ag-
gregate to 81 ,513, 1886, there viii be left
balance of s6e6, 018.10, of which $780,
1864 was expended in donations, special
appropriations, construction of public
buildings, pensions, charitable and refor-
mat0ry institutions, &c, and s296, 821 90
we're used to defray the expenses Of the
State government.
The results of the new assessment are
referred to, and the opinion is expressed
that as we are without the advantages in
Maryland of great system of manufac-
turing corporations from which revenue
can be derived, it is likely that the pres
ent system Of levying taxes upon both real
and personal property win for some years
be continued At the same time the diff
Guilty Of providing system Of equal and
Just taxation is recognized, and the advan-
tages Of an annual correction of assess
ments by board of coatrol in Baltimore
city, over the present system of making a
new assessment every ten years are pointed
out. 1t is stated that a law embodying
the Governors views upon this subject
viii be submitted to the Legislature early
in the session. Upon the subject of re-
yival Of the obsolete mortgage tax, the
Governor sustains the exemption of mort
cages from taxation by the Legislature
upon the ground, first, that it is double
tax, which falls upon the borrower, the
party least able to pay second, that by
keeping up the tax we drive capital out of
the State to seek investment elsewhere,
and make real estate practically worthless
as borrowing security.
Upon the subject of the pending litiga-
ton between the State and the Baltimore
and Chic Railroad Company the Governor
furnishes succinct statement of the pro-
ceedings instituted in the several courts,
the points sought to be established in the
different suits, and the results thus far
arrived at He contends that the Legis-
lature cannot reasonably be supposed to
have intended by its exemption of the road
from taxation that the assets in excess of
the capital required to build the road from
Baltimore to the Ohio river should be ex-
empted from all taxation by the State, and
holds that the rights secured to the State
by the contract of the charter of one-ffth
of the gross earnings of the passenger traf-
tic on the Washington Branch ought not
to be modified or abandoned until the
company agrees to contribute its fair pro-
portion Of taxes.
The Governor states, however, that the
company has expressed informally its de-
sire to adjust all its differences with the
State, and adds the expression of his now
wish that such result should be reached
during the present session. The Governor
indicates as in his Judgment the proper
basis Of such settlement the mutual sur
render by State and company Of the right
secured to the former by original contract
relative to the Washington Branch, and
of the immunity from taxation claimed BY
the latter under its general charter, the
company in future to contribute fair pro-
portion Of taxes to the support of the gov
eminent Of the State.
The Governor reviews at length the
railroad strike of last summer, and upon
the subject of the labor troubles generally,
which led to the strike, and the remedy
for them, makes some sensible observa-
tons.
The total disbursements BY the State
for the pay, subsistence, &C., of troops cal
led out for the suppression of the riots
amounted to $50, 900, of which s20, $3.50
was for ordnance stores now in possession
of the State. The Governor asks for an
early provision for the loans effected by
him for the above purposes.
In view of the experience of last sum-
mer, and the need of Increasing the strength
and efficiency of our militia, the Governor
recommends an appropriation of $4,000
for the uniforms and equipments of two
new regiments, and restoration of the
former annual military appropriation of
$4,000. He also recommends the estab-
lishmeut Of State armory for the safe
keeping and storage of arms aud munitions
Of war belonging TO the State The Gov
ernor recommends the repeal Of the pro-
vision of law exempting the honorary
members of military regiments from jury
duty.
The subject Of the State tobacco ware.
houses and inspections is treated very
clearly and at length, and the Governor
gives very strong reasons why the present
system of compulsory inspection should be
done away, as inconsistent with modern
IDEAS and imposing a restriction upon the
healthy action of trade and grievous bur
den upon the tobacco grower. The Gov
ernor, who is thoroughly imbued with the
sound doctrine of non-interference with
the laws Of trade, refers to the abolition Of
the -four inspection laws of 1870, and to
the practice of the great tobacco-growing
States of Virginia and Kentucky, as fur
nishing additional arguments in favor of
free inspections, which is certainly sound
principle. In the same spirit the Gov
ernor recommends the abolition of the
offices of wcigher general of grain and
grain inspectors, as being entirely without
value to the community.
The penal and charitable institutions of
the State are brought to the notice of the
Legislature. The inadequate capacity of
the Maryland Hospital for the Insane,
which contains PSI patients under treat
ment, and has only room for 325, is alIud-
ed to, and further appropriation of s70,-
600 recommended to provide outside ac-
commodations for harmless idiots and i'm
beetles, and a separate cottage for criminals
and immoral classes.
The Governor refers to the subject of
public education as one of the most impor-
tant features of government, and points
out the need of more efficient system of
supervision over the operations and expen-
ditures of the county school boards.
The amendment of the oyster laws in
several particulars is recommended, and
hearty commentator bestowed upon the
labors and services of. the fish commits