Saint Mary's beacon., 1886-01-21

sAJE.-As our space does not admit
of the publication Of the Governor 5
Message in full, we have been forced
to give a synopsis, which though it
scarcely does justice to the message.
will. We hope. convey to our readers
an intelligent idea Of the various sug
gestions and recommendations Of His
Excellency. After discussing the man
ner Of his succession, he gives brief
review of the States finances and
shows that the State debt has been
reduced the past two years $500. 600 /;
that the State debt now outstanding,
for which interest is not provided from
the receipts OF the States productive
assets, is but Sc. .45l ,563, and that with
the present judicious management Of
the finances, including the steady ac-
cumulation of the sinking fund, which
has increased over a million dollars
siuee JAuu4Iy. 1904, that this debt
will be soon paid and the State relieved
from all direct taxes, except the ten
cents on the 500, imposed for public
school purposes.
The taxable basis Of the State is
shown to have decreased from $47S,-
Gas, ,O28 in 1877 to sara, ,452, 144 in
1885. This decrease, the Governor
intimates, is due to the 5000, 900, 900
of unta1ed mortgages now in the
State.
The message advocates a new con-
vention. and that as early as next
year. The proposition is to take the
sense of the people at the Congress
s:onal election next fall and at the
same time elect members Of the con-
venton, with a mandate for their
assembling in January OF next year.
The reasons for this haste are, in the
Governors opinion, that the PEOPLE
desire such changes in organic rules
governing the exercise of the taxing
power as will tighten the burdens Of
taxation a change to lie made in the
present constitution which requires
the uniform registration Of all the
voters; that the Governor should have
the powed to veto separate items OF
appropriation bills: that there should
be separate Court Of Appeals; that
the Chesapeake and Ohio and Susque-
hanna Canals should be sold, and that
Baltimore should he permitted to
absorb the Belt.
The system OF tobacco inspection il
reviewed and an exhibit made that
shows the inspections are a burden on
the State treasury to the extent o.
several thousand dollars annually.
The oyster interest is said to bt
suffering for additional legislation tc
protect the beds from depreciation and
eventual destruction; thus deprivinl
consumers Of their nine million bush
els of oysters annually and takinl
away the earnings Of forty thousand
wage-eaFners who are employed il
oyster catching and packing.
\ uniform fish law for the State i
recommended, with provision for
bidding the use Of any kind of sein,
or net with mesh Of less size than j
needed for catching we'll grown foo,
fish; the counties to enjoy the exclu
sive right to their respective water
under the provisions Of this genera
law.
An enlarged appropriation for tn
State Board Of Health and for the pre-
vention of the spread ofcattle disease
is advised as being Cor the best inter
ssts of the people.
1t ls shown that 81 l,669. .O4O wa
spent last year for public educatio,
in the instruction OF 10 1913 pupil.
Two changes in the school law ar
recommended a. That the distinc
tion between the white and colore,
school funds be abolished and =
"that necessary textbooks for use il
the school.room shoulj be supple,
without charge"
Tho message rSssmmenIs surl
changes in our criminal law as viii
send eonvicts to the penitentiarv
which is sslf-sustaining and whsr,
there are many vacant cells, instead o
to the House Of Correction, which i
ovsrcrowded and which is a burde.
on the State treasury. The cost Q
maintaining convic;s at the latte,
place is stated to be Sl20 per capt..
This high rate should receive the earl,
attention Of those whose duty it is tc
look after the interest Of the State in
this institution.
The message concludes with an &C.
quiescsncs in the suggestion to increase
the appropriation to the State Militia
nvors printing the reports Of the
Hnraau ~ S.a,;,.: =.