The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-01-12
Governor Pattison's Message.
From he fhiIadelphla Iedger. jan ,

From the Philadelphia Ledger. Jan.
The message Of a President or Governor
about to retire from office Is generally Of spe-
eial value, though perhaps less interesting than
his earlier papers. Il Is usually review and
M admonition. based upon the lessons Of ex-
perienee. Governor Pattison final message.
presented to the Legislature yesterday. Is no
exception to this rule. Il Is very long mes
sage, covering a multitude Of topics, and max
ing many important recommendations and
suggestions The first part deals siih the
finances OF the State which are in admirable
condition The net debt Of the State amounts
10 little more than s.. 00O, 600, and the Treas
ury carries an average balance Of about So
100000 The Governor, however. warns the
Legislature that this balance Is due 10 extFaor-
binary receipts from the General Government,
and from the collection Of back taxes, and
that '-there Is nothing therefore in the situa-
ton to justify wastefni expenditure OF reckless
legislation. Several cages Of the message
are devoted to a discussion of the revenue
laws Of the State. which are admittedly ineq
uitable, and in need of revision. The Gov
ernor thinks that the entire legitimate cost Of
the State Government can be paid by taxation
Of corporations and collateral inheritances.
and the taxes and fees of county officers, and
that all other forms Of personal property taxes.
license moneys, mercantile taxes, DC, should
be turned over to the counties 10 relieve the
burdens upon real estate. He does not recon-
mend the repeal of the mercantile taxes, tuta
reconstruction Of the system of collection. He
approves the collateral inheritance tax, but
suggests that il might be RENTED in the case
of legacies and requests to charitable institu-
lions He also recommends repeal Of the
law rendering Invalid requests made TO
churches and charitable institutions within
thirty DAYS of the death Of tcstator or 10y
wills 10 which there have not been two sub
scribing witnesses As the law exemptiug
manufacturing corporations from taxation has
been extended to cover gas and electric light
companies. the Governor recommends that
such companies be specifically restored to the
class of corporations liable to State tax. In
concluding his discussion of financial affairs
he recommends that the money of the State
be placed in selected repositories al interest
and that official fees be wholly abolished, all
State and county officers being paid fixed
salaries.
The election laws are discussed at length,
the Governor expressing hearty approval Of
the new ballot law, but recommending two
reforms, one that a registration list of quail
fed voters be prepared before the day Of cleo
ton, and the other that steps be again taken
to amend the constitution so as to abolish the
poll tax. He also recommends that questions
of fact in contested election cases be left to
the determination Of the courts, the Legisla-
ture in cases of contest dealing solely with
the question of the qualification TO sit in the
House or Senate ofpersons returned as elected,
and that the courts be required, on the petit
ton Of certain number of voters, to open the
ballot boxes and make Il recount.