Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-01-18
Comptroller Marion deKalb Smith

Comptroller Marion deKalb Smitl
in his annual report, gives most sat
isfactory exhibit OF the States financial
condition. After showing in detail the
receipts and expenditures for the last
fiscal year, Mr.. Smith says "You
must find it apparent from the fore
going statements that the finances Of
the State are in sound. healthfnl and
flourishing condition, and the full com.
pliance of the requirements OF the con.
stitution and laws of this State for the
ultimate extinction of the principal OF
the public debt is meeting the most
sanguine expectations OF the people OF
the State, and confirms the belief that
the days is not remote when the bonded
obligations of the State will be wholly
discharged and the property of hel
citizens liberated from the burden Of
taxation for the maintenance of any
sinking fund.
One OF the first partisan debates
in the Maryland Legislature took place
in the House on Thursday last. Mr..
Lewis of Caroline, moved to amend the
report of the committee on organiza
ton by the fixing the pay OF the three
chief clerks. at SIS instead of S10a day
each. Mr.. Lewis said that both par.
ties were pledged to retrenchment. and
should begin in this way. The debate
was sharp, the Republicans arguing
in favor of ten dollars Il day. Mr..
Ford, Republican, said that he might
be called a spokesman, but that now,
after thirty years, his party had come
into Inheritance. he did not believe in
destroying the vineyards at the start.
lie wants some of the spoils for his
people. After some further discussion
the amendment was rejected by strict
party vote, the Democrats voting in
the affirmative and the Republicans in
the negative. The pay will remain
$40 per day, as the report was adopt
ed as presented. 1t will be seen from
the above that our Republican friends
who cried 'reform" before the election
are not in favor of reducing the salar-
les of Republican officials.
An alteration occurred on the
mill-yard Of Smith. Moore & Co, last
Friday evening which resulted serious
ly, and but for the timely assistance of
help would have ended fatally. 1t ap.
pears that a one-legged man named
Conrad Dresel cook on steam barge
engaged in bringing lumber from
North Carolina TO the above named
firm is desperate character who never
loses an opportunity to insult anyone
who has business with him. Mr.. VIM.
Z. Bratten, whose duty it is to over
see the millyard and superintend the
measuring Of lumber being delivered,
made complaint at the conduct of
Dresel upon which he (Dresel) became
enraged and began to curse Will in
most undeserving manner. Mr.. Brat
ten left the enraged man, not wishing
to get in trouble with Il cripple. and
went TO another part of the mill yard.
In a few minutes the man appeared in
Mr.. Bratten's presence again aud after
n few words he began TO curse and
abuse him again. In honor TO him.
self as gentleman, Mr.. Bratten re-
sented the insults, upon which Dresel
struck him with his crutch side of the
head with such force as to knock him
down and unconscious. Not satisfied
with this he jumped on him, and was
beating and choking him to death
when Mr.. Zadok Duffy assisted by two
colored men, pulled the villain off his
victim, and held him till
officers of the law took charge of him.
Mr.. Bratten was taken 10 his home,
where he had been for two or more
hours before he regained consciousness.
DIR. Paul Jones has since been attend
ing him, and although il was feared
the result of his injuries would prove
fatal. He is now much improved.