The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-01-15
FREDERICK w. BAKER, Editor.
The Governors Message.

The Governors Message.
Governor Lloy d message to the Legislature
is a well-considered State paper, giving
clear recital of the affairs of the State. He
quotes the figures from Comptroller Turner's
report ofthe condition ofthe Treasury, which
show that the State debt has been reduced
nearly 100000. He also says that by rigid
adherence to the policy conducted by Comp.
troller Turner and Treasurer Cuttings, and
applying the revenues derived from direct
taxation to the interest and sinking funds of
the respective loans for which the Legislature
has made provision, the way becomes clear to
the extinction of the defence redemption,
Deafand-Dumb Asylum, Maryland Hospital
and treasury reiefloans, aggregating $4 $780,
600.
The Governor refers to the high standard
ofcredit the State has attainedin the markets
of the world and the faith of capitalists in her
financial integrity.
The Governor suggests to the Legislature
the wisdom of refunding the portion of the
State debt about to become due at lower rate
of interest The bonds now pay per cent.
1t is believed new bonds would readily be
taken at 81 per cent. interest
The Governor calls attention to the fact
that the taxable basis Of the State is less than
it was ten years ago, and urges the import
ance of new assessment "under law broad
enough in its letter and spirit to enable the
assessors to reach all manner of property,
that the burdens of taxation may be more
equally distributed and substantial equality
and uniformity of taxation may prevail
throughout the State" The Governors
views are certainly sound on this point. A
vast amount of property is not taxed, and the
burden of supporting the county and State
Governments is not equally distributed.
The Governor estimates that there are "at
least $500, 100000 of capital secured by mort
cages in this State upon which no taxes are
levied" If the Governor had only suggested
a plan by which mortgages could be taxed
without making the unfortunate man who
gives the mortgage pay q double tax, he
would have solved problem that has exer-
cised political economists for long time
Gov. Lloyd holds that the Legislature has
the power to submit the question of q consti-
tutional convention to the people at any time,
and that if there is need for changes there is
no reason why such changes should be delay
ed until 1889.
The alterations suggested are revision of
the present system of taxation, the abolition
Of nicfr ba tn flo
Governor of the powar of vetoing particular
items in an appropriation bill, the creation of
a separate Court of Appeals, and the read
justment of constitutional provisions in rela-
ton to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal,
which the Governor thinks Cannot be pro-
perly improved and made effective as means
of internal commerce until it is sold, free
from the liens of the State, and bought by
parties able to improve it and extend its
operations"
The Governor thinks the provision of the
constitution which declares that no part of q
county shall be separated from the remainder
of said county without the consent of
majority of the voters residing within the
part intended to be separated, is unreasuna-
Bile, and ought to be changed. AS it now
stands sit operates as a limitation upon the
growth and prosperity of the city of Balt-
more"
The Governor points out the fact that the
State inspection of tobacco is not source of
revenue. Therefore, we say, let it be abolish
ed 1t is hindrance and not help to the
tobacco interests.
The Governor has good deal to say about
the oyster law. About nine millions of
bushels of oysters were caught last season,
aggregating in value, at the low price of %
cents bushel, $2,25O,00O.
He advises the repeal of all fish laws and
the enactment of one general system the en-
largement of the powers of the board of
health and an increase of the fuuGs at its dis
posal the granting of additional powers to
the State veterinarian to prevent the spread
of contagious diseases In cattle; the adoption
of more stringent regulations to prevent the
adulteration of food and the sale of diseased
meats; the abolition of the color line in MAX
ing appropriations for school purposes, and
the furnishing of text books free of charge !;
the revision of the Maryland code; the re-
sioration to the courts of exclusive jurisdic-
ton of all offences for which confinement in
the penitentuary is or may be the penalty;
provision for employing Migrants upon the
public streets and roads, and for relieving the
present overcrowded condition of the House
of Correction the building Of another State
insane asylum, to be located on the Eastern
Shore an increase of land Office fees and the
creation OF bureau Of immigration in con-
junction with the office of land commissioner.
There is a wide diversity of sentiment on
some the opinions and recommendations
expressed and made by the Governor, but the
message is frank and positive and every one
of its topics will doubtless be discussed and
acted on by the Legislature.
The State Fish Commission.
The State Fish Commissioners, Messrs.
Humphreys and Delawder, say the opera
tiOna of tho ion J,,rpo In ,>o,, ,,,..