The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-01-06
Gov. Browns Message.

Governor Browns message to the Gen
eral Assembly, submitted on Wednesday,
is the most yoluminous document submitted
TO that body for many years. 1t makes a
pamphlet Of nearly one hundred pages, and
is illustrated by cuts of all the institutions
for which appropriations are made. And
as vouminous us il is, the Governor prom
ises to submit further message on the
oyster question.
The message is essentially a business
document, aud gives u vast amount OF IN
formation concerning the state government
Ii is entirely too long for presentation in
the ADVOCATE, and is most too formidable
to be read by the average citizen.
The states finances are reviewed and
are shown to be in excellent condition.
The public debt has been decreased in the
past two years nearly one million of dol
lars or to be exact, S9l2,6l5.95, which is
100000 above the statutory requirement
The net debt is now 81 ,433, S9S.2l, and
the state has besides unproductive assets to
a considerable amount.
The first question of legislation Of gen
eral interest treated by the Governor is a
new assessment law He regrets the de-
feat of the constitutional amendment pro-
posed in 1891, which would have given the
General Assembly discretionary power to
adjust taxation in such a manner as to dis
tribute its burdens among all classes with
out doing injury to any. The Legislature
must now proceed under the present pro-
vision, he SAYS, and he recommends that a
Joint committee of the two houses be APP
pointed to consider IN assessment bill, and
pass it as soon as possible. He further re-
commends ''home rule in taxation for
Baltimore
Upon the oyster question the Governor
shows that the ''oyster fund, which rose
from $4,000 in 1865 to s272 ,014.14 in
1874, has since steadily declined, until now
it is but S3,s4I57. The expenses of the
oyster navy are so great, that either reduc-
ton must be made or the boats be tied up
to their wharves, Upon this matter he
makes no recommendations, but promises
a special message later Public education
is next treated, and the Governor says the
working of the public school system is en-
tirely satisfactory.
viewed, but no recommendations are made.
The Governor thinks general law should
be passed to rid the state of tramps and
Migrants. and recommends their employ
ment on the public roads.
A more prompt publication of the laws
is recommended, and also some further leg
islation in regard to election returns There
is necessity Tor better provision for the safe
keeping of engrossed bills, and he recon- :
mends the establishment of an Advisory
Board of Pardons, to relieve the Executive
from the labor the duty of considering the
applications for pardons now imposes.
The Governor iavors IA general road law
for the state, with state engineer, and
approves the appropriations to the colleges,
private schools, asylumns and hospitals
that now receive them, and also the $1,000
for printing the worthless crop reports is
sued by the Johns Hopkins University.
The ADVOCATE differs with the Gov
ernor on several Important matters, and
will discuss them from time to time as
they come before the Legislature.