Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-02-13
The Comptroller's Report.

man, tie Comptroller Of the state Irels-
ury, for a copy Of his report for the fiscal
wear ending September 30th. 1890. The
report is not voluminous and difficult to
understand, but Is clear, concise and
comprehensive, easily dieested by the
PLANES mud.
I, shows that a much larger sum has
been received into the Treasury than
usual IN 70 the sale Of Exchange Loan
BONDS of 1880, but that at the end OF
the fiscal year a less sum remains therein
because Of the large redemption. by the
financial officers Of the State, of the .
per cent Sterling Bonds.
The balance standing TO the credit Of
the Free School Fund is much smaller
than in 1889. In that year balance
stood to the credit Of this Fund of SlO,-
1919 50, this year the balance is but So
93s 52-a difference in favor Of last year
of S3,2G1 80. The fall off IS due to
short collections.
The Oyster Fund iia matter OF Spe-
cial interest to the people of this section;
The total sum received by the State
from licenses, fines and measurers was
S59.l7S 81, and the amount expended
in supporting the police force for the
protection of the industry foots up to
S70.953 9l-the outlay exceeding the
receipts Sl2,777 ~, which latter sum
ded from the amount already to the
credit of the Oyster Fund in ;he Treas
ury leaves an un,xpcndcd balance of
SOL ,1O6 q.
The assessable basis of the STATE has
increased S4,7S6,4i4.
On the subject of the receipts and dis
burscmcnts of the Tobacco Warehouses
the report is exceedingly interesting
Under the Act of Assembly Of 1890
permitting the Governor to close some
of the warehouses when not needed, and
to reduce the force operating the others
at the time Of the passage Of the Act,
the warehouses apart from becoming
further charge upon the State are pay
ing a handsome revenue. and this not
withstanding the fact that the crops oil
the past year were shorter than for many
previous years. The receipts as stated
aggregated the sum of S53,5S0 81
aud the disbursements S43,3I1 Ct
showing a net profit Of $40, BOB %.
The rowing by the public officers o.
this county, Sho are required under thc
Constitution and the laws of the State tC
account for public oneys by them col
lected is fair.
Une collector .or 1874, , II. MarIuw
still appears to be short for that year
S2l0 30; for 1873. f McWilliams APP
pears to be short S7s3 %, and Mrrlow
e57 50; for 1888. Edward Elclen i,
short 1929 30, aud 7 f. Nicholson
Al 400 80; for 1887, A. t. Carrico il
short $40 so; for 1889, X. Carpenter
is short S3l 81, y b. Swami S23 TO-
W. j. Cox S23 20, and J NJ Burcl
$3.50 49, The four latter collectors
we presume, have not finished their col.
lections, and therefore have not finally
balanced their accounts with the Comp,
troller. The others however. are d
long standing and there is no good rea-
son why settlements should not be made
There is hardness somewhere. \
strict enforcement of the law il
all such cases saves the people
money and unnecessary vexa-
ton, makes good officers aud often
times good citizens.
Three ex-sherifs also appear TO be il
arrear to the State: T. l. Ste wart, j. r.
Murray and VIM. NJ Norris. -
The record shows that the two first
eases have been settled and the money
paid to ex-Sta.e's Attorneys, which
we presume has been paid over to the
Comptroller Why then they should be
published as Gefaulters it is impossible
to conjecture. The proper person ought
to examine the matter and have the
names of these parties stricken from the
list Of defaulters, for it is not to the crea;.
of the county to have her public officers
published as defaulters
The public officers of the county who
IRE required by section | art. ID, Of the
Constitution to report annually on the
fees and emoluments of their respective
offices. do not appear to hava repor,ed at
all This may be an oversight. or pos
sibly they may think it is discretionary
but it is not. the language of the Con-
stituton is mandatory aud ought to be
obeyed.
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An experiment in Jurisprudence is be-
ing made in Minnosotl which will be
closely watched and the results carefully
noted. BY an amendment to the con
stitution ive-sixths of jury are author