The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-01-20


Inspections have been faulty; an un-
necessary number of employees has
been carried on the payrolls, money
has been paid TO persons who per-
formed no duties at the warehouses,
and other unauthorized expenditures
have been made of funds which should
have been turned into the Treasury.
Prompt and vigorous measures were
taken by me to correct these abuses,
and as far as was possible, by eXecu-
tive action, better administration
has been inaugurated. An efficient
and business management of the
warehouses cannot be reached, how
ever without substantial amendment
of existing law. | shall at another
time submit to you detailed scheme
of reorganization of this branch of the
State service, which hope will meet
with your approval. Under proper
management these warehouses can
produce for the State a fair return
for the capital invested i'll them.
The Governor compliments the ad-
ministration of the State Librarians
office, under Mrs. Jeffers; recommends
support of the State Entomologist's
work; refers to the important labors
of the Geological Survey and saws the
farmers institutes are accomplishing
much good. He calls attention to the
recommendation Of the State Board
of Health for the establishment of a
State bacteriologicall labortorv. There
is a deficit of $4,000 in the OYSTER
fund, and the Governor advises the
Assembly to see that no system of
sewerage be adopted by the city of
Baltimore (which will result in iniur-
ing, however remote, " to the fish and
oyster interests. He says that the
business Of the Insurance Department
shows very gratifying increase, due
to natural causes and the diligent ex-
ecution of the law" In the mining
regions, where 1000 men are employed
fatalities have decreased and good
health and good order have generally
prevailed. The Board of public works
has had the State buildings re-rated
and the insurance thereon placed in
home companies at a much lower pre-
MUM than formerly paid.
The Governor says that there have
beeu three lynchings in the State dur
ing his administration, and that these
show that lynchings are not caused
by any particular class of crime and
are not confined to any locality. The
Governor remarks:
"Lynching constitutes murder, pure
and simple, and no legislature could
more clearly define the crime or pre-
scribe the punishment. And yet it
seems impossible to secure even a
presentment against those who thus
set the law at defiance. Ifa law could
be passed placing upon the county
in which a lynching occurs some
heavy pecuniary penalty it might
helptocreatepublic sentimentagainst
this crime which would bear fruit in
the choosing of officers who would use
intelligent and courageous efforts to
protect their prisoners and discover
and prosecute these offenders against
law and order.
The Governor renews Gov Browns
recommendation for,the enactment of
a law requiring all executions to take
place in the Penitentiary or CITY Jail.
He also recommends the creation of
an advisory board of pardons; the
adoption of a scientific good roads
system; and anti-race track gambling
act: uniform law relating to negoti-
able Instruments; uniformity in the
filing and approving of official bonds:
the creation of the Office of State aud
itor, and early submission to the Ex-
ecutive of important measures.
Regarding Legislative expenditures
the Governor says:
The expenditure of money should
be carefully guarded, and it is espec-
tally desirable that the expenses of
the General Assembly of 1898 should
be kept within the appropriations
already made. The act of Legislature
designates the officers and clerks TO
the General Assembly, and fixes the
compensation of each. In making
such appointments, the necessary
qualifications of fitnes and capacitv
for the discharge of their respective
duties should be the only test bv
which selections are made.
An examination of the journals Of
two houses will disclose the fact that
during past sessions many additional
appointments to clerical and other
positions have been made, and at the
close of the session the numbers have
been greatly increased.