The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-01-20
GOV. L0WNDES MESSAGE.
The Governor Recommendations to the Gen
eral Assembly.
A WELL WRITTEN DOCUMENT.
He Points Out The Necessity For Economy
In State Expenditures. And Sug-
gests Remedy For Lynchings.

Governor Lowndes began his mes,
sage by congratulating the Assembly
that the estate shows marked eviden-
ces of industry, peace and prosperity
He egaveasummary of the financial con-
dition of the State, as shown in the
Comptroller's report. On September
80, 1897, there was balance in the
Treasury of $7O7, 1859, the expendi-
lures of the fiscal year being 50, $50, $780,
So. During 1896 and 1897, 1868, 175 was
invested for the sinking funds. The
funded debt of the State at the close
of the fiscal year was 80, 294, 985.24 and
the net debt of the State $2,390, ,07S. 13.
The Governor speaks of the new as
sessment as having accomplished a
most desirable result in an equaliza-
ton of values and in bringing to light
much property which has hitherto es-
capped taxation" The reassessment
gave the State an additional income
of about $4,000 over the old assess
ments.
While the successive assessments of
real property have shown steady
increase in values, thus enhancing the
taxable basis and proportionally en-
larging the revenues of the State at
the fixed rate of taxation, yet it must
be borne in mind that the revenue has
not increased in the same proportion
as our expenses. We have now more
departments and q greater number of
officers to support, and the tendency
of modern times being one Of eXpan-
sion, each succeeding year we are met
with the demand for larger apprOpria-
tions.
This view of our financial condition
will call for a careful discrimination in
the matter of expenditures, so that the
appropriations can safely be brought
within the estimated revenues of the
State.
AS to the new election law the Gov
ernor says:
"The result of two elections held un-
der the provisions of the new law have
been accepted by the people of the
State as the true expression of the will
of the majority of voters.
''To the general system created by
the act | have no amendments to Of
fer, but many valuable suggestions
for the corrections of some defects and
conflicting provisions have been re-
ceived from supervisors of elections.
When formulated, these recommends
tions will be submitted for your CON
sideration,
''The use of money at elections in
this State has in recent years grown
to sucn proportions as to call for most
serious consideration. Corruption at
the ballot box, the very fountain head
of all free institutions, is one of the
greatest dangers to watch our State
can be exposed. The crime of bribery
is one to which experience has shown
to be most difficult to detect and pun
ish. Notwithstanding the earnest eff
forts made by careful legislators in
other States, no satisfactory remedy
for the unlawful use of money at cleo
tions has been devised
1.-THE present law ought to be
amended so as to include every species
of bribery.
But it must be remembered that
no law, however comprehensive or
stringent in its provisions, is self-exe-
cutting, and that no enactment against
bribery and corruption of voters can
be made effective until public senti-
ment co-operates with the judiciary
in its enforcement.
"Our elective system will not be per-
feet until we have an efficient primary
election law.
The control of the party machinery
usually carries with it the selection of
party candidates, without necessary
regard to the will of the majority of
the party This system should be Sc
altered as to insure to each member of
a political organization the right to
have his choice of candidates duly
registered and counted"
The Governor commends the pub
lie school system, and speaks in de
tail of the colleges.requiring State aid
He also goes into detail regarding
charitable, reformatory and indus
trial institutions. The Penitentiary
has received nearlyi$28, 900 more thar
it has expended. Provision should bt
made, urges the message, to relieve
the over-crowded condition of tn,
House of Correction Attention i,
called to the necessity of the Stat,
making ample provision for the car,
of all its INDECENT insane.
Speaking of the tobacco warehouse
which gave a net revenue of 50, 581. 4