Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-11-25
STATE
CAPITAL
New State Rule Reviewed BY
Governor.

Annapolis
What reorganization OF the stat,
government will mean to Maryland l.
20 be set forth in detail by Governor
Richie at the annual session OF tie
Governors Conference. TO be held "a.
the Greenbrier Hotel. White sulphur
Springs, Va. December II. Is and iG.
70 this end he has made additional
studies OF the Reorganization ACt
which becomes effective January
and arranged summary showing just
what changes will be made in the
States administrative offices.
The summary, in part, is as follows
Department OF Finance-This de-
partment will be headed by the Comp,
troller and the Treasurer. The state
Auditor, the Bank Commissioner. the
Insurance Commissioner the state
Tax Commission and the state Pur-
chasing Agent are all assigned TO thi.
department. although these officials all
continue to be appointed by the Gov
ernor.
NV Aalblt Atlpbi AAIA hhAl4ilAAoAA'AA'
changes are as follows:
State Auditors Department-The
duties Of the state Auditor which at
present cover the accounts OF all state
departments. State-owned and state
aided institutions. and all Clerks OF
Court. Registrars OF Wills. Sherifis.
states Attorneys and Collectors Of
State Taxes. are brOadened so As to
cover all county treasurers. collectors,
fee officers and County Commission
ers so far as State taxes ami receipts
are concerned.
This department has very much
more work than it's present staff can
10. so that the audits are not frequent
enough To obviate this an annual
appropriation is made for auditing as
sistance of nearly 100000 instead of
little over $4,000. as at present.
Payment of Bills-All bills for mer
chandise. materials and supplies pur
chased by any of the departments or
institutions of the State are required
TO be promptly forwarded 10 the
Comptroller for audit and review and
il found correct they are to be paid by
the Treasurer upon warrant OF the
Comptroller
The Comptroller, however. is given
the power to exempt from this require
ment such purchases as he may from
time to time. determine it is better for
the department or institution TO pay
itself. and TO facilitate payments OF
this character the Comptroller is au-
thorized to advance a working cash
balance to such department or insti'
tuition out Of its appropriation.
Monthly Accounting for Fees-Ev'
cry department. institution or other
governmental agency is required TO
account monthly to the Comptroller
and pay TO the Treasurer all fees and
revenues received by It. and the
Comptroller credits the same TO the
funds can be paid out only on war
rant in accordance with law.
In order TO provide for cases in
which such monthly accounting may
not be advisable. the Comptroller is
authorized with the Governors ap
prevail. to grant exemptions
Department OF Welfare-This de-
partment will be headed by the Board
OF Welfare. consisting of the Director
of Welfare. with salary OF $4,000,
and four unpaid members. at least one
OF whom shall be a woman. This
board will take over the duties OF the
State Board OF Prison Control. which
will be abolished. and thus the new
board will manage the Maryland Pen
itentiary and the House OF Correction
In addition to this. the five institu-
tons for the insane and feeblemind
ed are placed in this department and
are required to report to the Director
of Welfare quarterly These institu
tions will continue to be managed by
their respective boards OF manage
ment and trustees exactly as at pres
emit
The Lunacy Commission and its
secretary are abolished and IN their
place there will be a Board OF Mental
Hygiene placed in this department
consisting OF the Commissioner OF
Mental Hygiene and six unpaid mem.
bers. four OF whom must he physi'
clans. and at least one Of whom must
be woman. The Commissioner is re.
CURED to have had at least five years
experience in the treatment Of mental
diseases.
Examining and Licensing Roards-
There are 10 Of these at present Each
will he required 10 submit annually
10 the Board of Public Works an esti-
mate OF it's fees and expenses for the
ensuing year. and only such expenses
can be incurred rs the board approves
This viii provide supervision over the
expenditures made by these boards.
which is now lacking. as the board-
al present can use their fees practic
ally as they please.