The Cecil Whig., 1884-01-05

1882 were 81, 624, ISL and the total dis
bursements $2,03S,17313, showing an
excess of disbursements over receipts of
S4l3, 3,691.66. This, however, was legis-
lative year; the expenses of the session
were sl31, ,G46.77, and s171 ,9S261 was
transferred to the sinking fund. But for
these items the receipts would have ex-
ceeded the disbursements by $3.50, 937 02.
If nothing had been carried to the sink
ing fund the excess would have been
S5S, 290S5, and if the Legislature Of 1882
had not reduced expenses s72, 479.72
there would have been an absolute de-
felt.
In concluding this portion of the mes
sage he says:
"There is above all one important fact to
be impressed, that unless there is rigid re-
trenchment in expenditure there must be a
resort to direct taxation for the general sup
port of the Government; that is assuming
! that the Treasury is to discharge the con-
stitutional obligations resting upon it, and
to provide gradually for the payment Of our
whole debt, and to have a reasonable sur
plus in the Treasury for emergencies; as
long as we can safely resort to the former
| the people will not and ought not to tolerate
the latter
The public debt of the State is $11,-
269, ,S22 SO. OF this the Defence loan of
So, 326, $50. &C fell due last year. There
being no money to meet it a new loan Of
So, 900, 600 was placed, cue in 1899, and
the balance of 1896, 80. sc was taken out
of the Treasury. In various ways the
interest on the public debt, which was
S646, 1916 for the last fiscal year, has
been reduced so that it will be $51S, &c.
SO this year and annually hereafter
1856. .060.14. The sterling debt of s4,-
947,777.79 is due in London in 1899.
There is now s191, 100 As in the sinking
fund applicable to this debt, and sutfi-
cient amount cannot be accumulated to
pay it at maturity.
Although the Governor endeavors to
take cheerful view of the financial af-
fairs of the State, in view of the fore
going statements, it is difficult to see
upon what grounds he bases it. Accord
ing to his statement there ought to have
been on January 1, 1884, the sum of ST.
200, 600 in the sinking fund to general
account, exclusive of the interest on the
annual appropriation since 1872, but on
September 80, 1888, there was only $751;
100. 4S to the credit of the general ac-
count. He recommends the abolition of
the offices of Tax Commissioner, 1nsur-
ance Commissioner and Weights of
Grain and Hay. The Land Office and
compulsory tobacco inspection are also
denounced and their abolition recon
mended. He says one Fish Commits
sioner could do the work now done by
two, who are paid 81, 500 each to direct
the expenditure of 81, 500 annually. Ap-
preparations to colleges, academies, &C.,
should be more carefully guarded. The
oyster service is condemned as being
without system, order or regulation.
Under its present management it is
merely piece of political mechanism.
Bribery and corruption at elections pre-
vail to great extent, and the Governor
recommends that stern measures be
taken to stamp out these evils. Several
suggestions are made to increase the
parity and freedom of elections. 1t is
recommended that all appointing power
be taken from the Legislature, and that
all officers not elected by the people be
appointed by the Governor. The Gov
ernor believes that there is no need to
call Constitutional Convention before
1887, and he is inclined to the belief that
the present Constitution, with some
amendments, would answer the general
purpose.
Many suggestions are made, that if
adopted and followed out by the law
making power, would be of benefit to
| the State, while on the other hand the
Governor says some things with which
we cannot agree. Yet, as whole, the
message is frank, earnest and out
spoken paper, expressing precisely the
views of Governor Hamilton, without
! fear or favor.