The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-01-17
aublit sfairs.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


and presents satisfactory exhibit Of the !
finances of the State The balance 10
the treasury at the close Of the last fiscal |
year, September 80, 1879, was $3.50, ,2O8.- /
80, against balance of S204, 1857 at
the close Of the preceding year, and Of
1897 ,9Sll3 on September 30, 1877. |
The receipts Of the treasury Qneluding |
balance) for the past year were S2,330,. |
1925, against a total Of disbursements
amounting to s1,774 4,283.26, a smaller
amount than for seven years past, less by
s7l4,795.S8 than the expenditures of
1878, and less by S902, ,527 40 than the
expenditures of 1876.
The treasury relief loan Of $500 900,
negotiated in 1873, has been in great part,
the message states, repaid to the State BY
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Compa-
ny in the settlement Of the amount agreed
upon for arrears of 'capitation tax" so
called, upon the Washington Branch.
The bonds Of the company TO the amount
Of 1886, 900 have also been delivered to
the State 10 pursuance Of the same settle
ment, and ten per cent. dividend is paid
upon the States interest $3.50, ,000) in
the Washington Branch Stocks aud
bonds owned by the State, heretofore
classed as productive, have ecased to pay
dividends or interest, amounting in the
aggregate to 81, ,l57, 1859. Nearly the
whole Of this sum, or 81 ,000,00O is rep.
resented by mortgage on the Susquehar-
na and Tide-Water Canal Company, on
which the interest of 100000 year has
ceased to be paid, and the Governor re-
commends the subject to the attention Of
the Legislature. The total funded debt
of the State is sll ,259, ,6O7 .35, and the
excess over interest bearing securities held
by the State is s7,674, ,2SO1s. A portion
OF this debt, known as the Defense Loan,
which bears interest at G per cent, will
fall due in 1883. The Governor recon-
mends that steps be taken to refund the
amount Of the loan at per cent. The
total taxable basis Of the State for 1879 is
put at s5O9, ,2l3,S9l, showing an increase
Of Sl2,33l AGA over that of 1877. The
Governor suggests that, as under the
present system Of looking to county treas
urers aud the collectors Of Baltimore city,
the date Of the receipts Of taxes by the
State is always uncertain and indefinite,
the dues often failing when there is most
need of them, some other provisions should
be made. Prompt payment would afford
full relief, and il cannot be denied that
the lien Of the State for taxes due by the
citizens should have preference over all
other claims. The Governor thinks il
would be proper TO make a charge upon
each municipality and county equal to the
usual levy Of the State and compel these
sums to be paid into the State treasury by
the local authorities within a specified and
reasonable time, whether collected or not
This system is in force in Massachusett.
and elsewhere, and works we'll, aud its en-
forcement here would stimulate local oifi
GERS to greater activity in the collection O
county revenues The tax commissioners
Office is represented as having fully justi
fed its creation, and the Attorney Genera
is highly and deservedly complimented fol
his zeal, industry and success in the ser
vice Of the public. The various point,
decided by the Court Of Appeals in the
appeal TAX cases, arising under the act oI
1876, are severally passed in review.
Apart from this review of the actua
business condition of the State, the mes
sage contains several recommendation il
favor Of changes and improvements to be
entered upon hereafter. The present sys,
TEN Of tobacco inspections and the man,
agement Of tobacco warehouses come in
for considerable degree Of criticism and
condemnation. Two distinct lines Of pol.
icy are suggested, rather than specifically
urged aud recommended. BY leasing the
the warehouses to private parties it is
shown that they may be made a source o
revenue to the State instead Of burden
BY abandoning the system Of compulsory
inspection altogether, the interests of tho
producers would not suffer, aud the inter
ests Of the trade be greatly promoted
Similar considerations would apply to th,
State cattle scales, which yield a revenue
It is true, but are serious hinderanee q
the city Of Baltimore ever becoming th,
hourishing cattle market its geographica
position and natural advantages, as we'll a,
railroad connections, peculiarly fit il to be
Several Of the recommendations in for
mer messages are repeated. A more thor
ough organization Of the public schoo
system, especially with a view to more ef
ticient supervision; provision for the pau
per insane aud the establishment Of work
shops 10 connection with the House Of
Correction are specifically recommended
Allusion is made to the obstruction d
justice caused by the action Of one Of the as
sociate judges of Baltimore county. and
the attention Of the Legislature invited L
the matter with view to removing con
fiet Of opinion and authority which is cal
culated to bring tho law into contempt
A deficiency of sl5,667. 81 for the las
two years in the fund applicable n, tn,
support Of the oyster navy, deficiency
which falls directly upon the State treas
ury, gives point TO a renewal Of the re
Communications Of former messages in favol
OF a reduction Of the salaries Of the force
IL Is suggested that the sloops be turnes
over TO the counties interested in the pro
lection of their rivers, and that the steamer
alone be retained by the State TO preyentth,
predations Of foreign aud unlicensed drede
ers. A new registration Of voters through
out the State Is urged, particularly IN view
Of the condition Of the registration list il
Baltimore city, and after some minor recon,
meudations and statements in regard 4
the unsettled claim OF the architect for The
State House repairs, the great seal. The
Penitentiary, the disputed Virginia boun.
dairy line, &c, the message concludes with
a summary Of what the Governor consid.
ers to have been the main features and
results Of his administration. Amona
these the message enumerates tho settle
men. Of important questions Of taxation
by the Court Of Appeals; the definite ad.
justment of tbs disputed relations and &C.
counts between the State and It's great
railroad corporation, tho Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company; the maintenance
Of the peace and Of the supremacy of law
ia the face Of popular tnmuli during ihe
great strike, and the viadicafiou Of the
freedom Of the suffrage and the fairposs Of
elections, 10 spite Of the bitterness 81 nartr