The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-04-16
GOVERNOR REVIEWS THE
LEGISLATURES

The 1913 Maryland Legislature
concluded Apr. its session with hon
or to its members and with much
promise of permanent good to the
people OF the State. For the first time
in many years, and certainly for the
first time during the period when
any comparable amount of work was
transacted, the task was completed
before the final day permitted under
the law, most salutary achievement
The members of the 1913 Legislature
deserve the thanks of our people for
the earnest, conscientious way In
which they performed their duties,
which were more arduous than many
people realize.
What is of first Importance today
in any consideration of the Legisla-
lures accomplishments is the lasting
good that will result. In this respect
it is possible to assure the people OF
Maryland that the results have been
decidedly worthwhile. Much legisla-
ton of merit has been enacted, and
well-considered steps have been taken
to foritfy the State and its agencies
against emergencies and conditions
likely to develop as result of wars
necessities.
Altogether seventy-nine (79) bills
composed the Administration pro-
gram and seventy-five (75) We're
passed. Briefly, should like to re-
Nf lot 10, Wy ia
has been passed, and which already
has become part of the laws of the
State or is awaiting my signature to
make it a law. Many of these relate
to the general conduct of the States
affairs, while others go into detail as
to administrative functioning of var
ious departments and agencies.
Three major considerations i'm
mediately suggest themselves in any
discussion of this session of the Cen
eral Assembly. First, and of direct
Importance to every citizen of our
State in these times, is the fact that
existing taxes have been reduced to a
most marked degree, while no new
taxes have been levied or new bor-
rowing provided. Thus, further saw
ing of 100000 will be realized
for our people in income tax and real
estate tax payments alone, in addition
to the reductions previously affected
in both these fields of taxation. Fur
thermore, the bonded debt of the
State, which Had been reduced from
$4S,OOO,O0O to $36,OOO,0O0 during
the four years of my first administra-
ton is now scheduled to be further
reduced to $22,500,OO by the end of
the two-year period covered by the
State Budget just adopted
With regard to this budget, it de-
serves to be noted in passing, while
there was extended discussion and de-
liberation of its many provisions :
and very properly so the changes
made by the Assembly were practic-
ally nil, only one reduction was. made
in the several thousand items includ-
ed in the recommended appropria-
lions.
The second notable aspect of the
session just concluded is that, de-
spite the reductions of millions in
taxes and in the State debt, the fiscal
condition of our State is today i'm
measurably better than 1t was when
we assumed Office in 1889, or for
some two years previously.
A third most important aspect of
the work of this Legislature has been
the constructive measures which have
been passed for the strengthening of
the judicial and Executive branches
of the government. 1t is no exagera-
ton to state that in no prior legisla-
tive session has there been adopted
such beneficial Hesitation for the i'm
provement of our court system. The
adoption of the Bond Commission
plan, to be submitted for the consid-
GRAFTON of the voters; the passage of
the bills making such vast improve
ment in the handling of Juvenile De-
linQuency; and the Judges Pension
Bill offering greater incentive to the
best qualified persons to become
members of the Judiciary, all repre-
sent marked advances in our efforts
to strengthen and maintain our
courts at the highest possible level.