The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-01-09
The Governors Message.

Governor Jackson's message, delivered t.
the Legislature on Wednesday, is essential.
n business document. After an introductor.
Of FIVE lines, he enters into a financial state
mani, which shows the State debt has beer
reduced during the year ending Septemoe
sOth. 1891, S724. 170.77. The redemption
and refunding of the State debt at a lower
rate of interest, during Governor jackson
term. makes reduction Of about S22l 900 II
interest charges. TIE decrease IN interest
charges and the increase in revenue by rea
son of acts Of the last Legislature, show
gain to the treasury of 1884. 900, and the Gov
ernor recommends a reduction OF about ioui
cents in the state tax rate-from Ia to l3I
cents on the 500. The message contains one
important re ommendation, that is an amend
ment to the Charter of the Baltimore Belt
Railroad Company requiring waver OF tax
exemption before either the Baltimore Ohlo
or Northern Central Railroad shall use its
tracks. The amendment ought to be passed
at once. similar provision ought to have
been put in the original Charter. The op
portunity having passed for that, let the Gov
ernors recommendation be adopted at once
by the Legislature.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal case is re-
viewed. The Governor shows the benefits
that might have accrued to the State and
other creditors by sale, as authorized two
wears ago, and gives the cost repairs and the
gross REGENTS of the canal. The action of the
Baltimore e. Ohio railroad in this case is
shameful, and some means, ifpossible, should
be discovered to remedy the wrongs it is perpe
trating upon the people of this state. Tins
corporation, that claims tax exemption, IS
not satisfied with this, but seeks to destroy
A canal and to control state. If the law is
not adequate to deal with this corporation,
the people in their sovereignty are. They
are higher than all law, and they should be
provoked no longer.
The Archer defalcation is next consid-
cred. and the Governor attempts to excuse
himself under the surmise that II he had
called Mr. Archer before him he-Archer-
would have mslead him, as he did in regard
to the investments for the sinking fund. lhls
is a lame excuse. and it is TO be regretted that
the Governor could not be held responsible
instead of Archers bondsmen. Had the
Governor performed his sworn duty under
the constitution the defalcdtion would proba
bly, not have happened. At all events no
censure could attach to him, and he has no
right to assume that affairs would not have
been different had he discharged his duty.
Gov. jackson, in justice, is liable for the
amount of Archer's stealings, and not his
bondsmen.
The Governor next passes to tobacco lnspec-
tions and shows that the system has become
self sustaining. The oyster interest is then
taken up, but his only recommendation Is
that the closed season be extended to Novem-
Der lst
A reassessment of property isrecommended,
and also an extension of the Australian ballot
law to all the counties. The Governor also
recommends IA liberal appropriation be made
to defray the expense of presenting at Chi'
cago Maryland's claim to recognition as a
State. and the many advantages it can offer to
those who may come and dwell upon its soil.
Maryland ioGs recognized as free aud indie
pendent state by Great Britain. after the revo
luton of l776, and has never surrendered that
independence and sovereignty, but perhaps
the Governor never heard of this, as he never
knew of his duty in the Archer detalcation
matter; and his recommendation of a State
appropriation is not to be wondered at, for he
seems TO be woefully ignorant of the funda
mental law of the state.
The other subjects considered in the Mes
sage are "rhe Public Schools, The State
Normal School, which ought to be abolished;
''The Agricultural College, from which aid
ought to be withdrawn, as it ought from all
other colleges: Charitable Institutions,
which receive 500, 800 yearly from the state,
every dollar of which should be cut off; 'The
Militia, - which the governor thinks should be
mainly supported by railroads: The Peni-
tentiary," which is self.sustaining and pays
surplus into the state treasury, &c, &c,
The Message is fair one. 1t deals mostly
in a resume of the States business, and con
tains but few recommendations.