The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-01-15
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
A Review of Maryland State Affairs,
and Discussion of the Common
Wealth'S Needs.


wealth's Needs.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
ANNAPOLIS, MD, Jan. 5, 1898.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House of Dele
gaies:
congratulate you that our State shows
marked evidences of industry, peace and
prosperity. Our mills aud factories are in
operation, our commerce with foreign ports
is increasing, our mines are pouring forth
their hidden wealth. the seasons have
brought abundant harvests, and the bless
ing OF Divine Providence has rested upon
the work OF our hands.
Among the various important matters
treated in the message are the following:
RACE TRACK GAMBLING.
Your attention is called to the reeent
Inauguration in this State of OUTLAW"
race tracks.
This most vicious form of gambling,
with its attendant evils, corrupting to
young and old, should receive at your
hands vigorous treatment. Maryland
should not be permitted to become refuge
for that class of criminals which the out
ragged public sentiment of neighboring
States has driven from their borders. l
earnestly recommend the prompt passage
of law which will effectively exclude
from our State this most demorlliz;ns
agency.
And in this connection | cannot too
strongly present the necessity for more
stringent laws to prohibit and punish
prize-hghtng, dog-fghting and similar de-
grading sports, which are frequently prac
ticed in the rural districts in the vicinity
Of Baltimore and Washington, where the
police supervision is powerless to cope with
the numbers and etfrontery of those who
are engaged in this nefarious business, and
whose experience has taught them how to
stne inquiry and thwart the officers Of the
law in their efforts to secure evidence upon
which conviction must follow.
REAssEssMENT OF PROPERTY.
After fifteen years OF attempted lecjs
lation on the subject OF reassessment the
General Assembly of 1896 provided rev
assessment which, in view of the many
conflicting interests, has been generally
satisfactory. While gratifying incrr.s,
in the taxable basis is shown, the new
assessment has accomplished most de-
| 81 in IN AZ Of al no
and in bringing to light much property
which has hitherto escaped taxation.
The following table shows the ass ssed
value Of property for 1o76 lS77, 1896 and
1897:
Year. Basis. State Tax. Rate.
1876 Si29, 112,41S $7l0,219.s7 III
1877 AS, 46s, ops S25, 357.25 .173
1896 $40, 461,7 TAI 959,3l9.53 ia
1897 607, 965,272 1919, 1927 .173
The assessment of 1876 increased the
basis $40, 300, G10, while that of 1896 in
creased it $G1I 503, 525, which gives the
State an additional income Of about Sl20.-
900 over the old assessments.
While the successive assessments of real
property have shown a steady increase in
values, thus enhancing the taxable basis
and proportionally enlarging the revenues
of the State at the fixed rate of taxation,
yet it must be borne in mind that the revc-
nue. has not increased in the same proper
ton as our expenses. We have now more
departments and Il greater number OF Off
To md for pf ,n1.
ern times being one of expansion, each sue
ceeding year we are met with the demand
for larger appropriations.
This view of our financial coalition will
call for a careful discrimination in the
matter of expenditures, so that the appro-
priatons can safely be brought within the
estimated revenues of the State
PUBLIC School SYSTEM.
In late years it has been my privilege to
meet citizens from all parts of the State,
and my pleasure TO note the high order of
intelligence and refinement Of our people.
Persons in the humblest walks OF life dis
cuss with such rare intelligence intricate
problems OF otatccraft and economies that
men who make these matters study will
often find themselves at loss to answer and
elucidate the questions presented.
\ great source of this intelligence and
refinement is our public schools, which
every taxpayer should feel Il personal
interest in assisting. Not only do we give
free education, but Maryland has adj
vanced beyond many of our sister States,
and by chapter 135 of the acts Of 1896 has
given our children free books.
Our public school system should in the
future, as in the past, he the subject Of
our most thoughtful solictude, and while
desiring in proper manner to impress on
your honorable body the necessity for all
proper retrenchment, believe in this be-
half that we should not dispense our
bounty with a nggardly hand but that the
appropriations should be commensurate
with the purposes to be attained.
The requirements of this system will be
placed before you by members of the State