Year: 1872

strongly recommends the passage of an
act authorizing tho abridgement of the
length of prison sentence. in case of good
behavior, and leaving the application of
the act in the hands of the Warden and
Directors. IA


Considerable space, as might be ex-
pected. is given to the subject of the
pending controversies between the State
and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad -
The progress made in the suits already
instituted under the authority and by di-
rection of the Legislature. and the sue
|cessful termination of some of them In
favor Of the State, SO far as the State tri-
bunals are concerned, are detailed; the
duty Of providing for the compensation. of
the distinguished counsel engaged is sug-,
gested. and resort to sharp and decisive
measures against the road, in case OF fur
ther delinquency. is strongly urged. Up
on this point the Governor writes with a
good deal of earnestness and warmth
He insists that, in justice to all other tax
should not be relieved from the payment
of the '.bonus" without the passage of a
law at the same time suhjecting all its
property to taxation. He argues in favor
of the right of the Legislature to repeal
the exemption from taxation now enjoyed
/ by the company. and against the policy of
such exemptions in general He quotes
largely in support Of his views from him
self. (his message Of 1870, and also from
ex-Attorney General Jones, and ia refer
ence to the money already decided lby the
Court of Appeals) to be due from the
company to the State. he urges that if
payment be further objected to or DELAYED.
proceedings be instituted by writ of scire
facias to vacate the charter of the COM
pany. eea es.n n6s


The Governor further complains Of the
neglect of the company. in common with
most of the incorporated institutions Of
the State, to make to the Comptroller the
returns required by section SO, article 81,
| of the Code of General, Laws. This he
regards as further evidence Of the dis
positior of the great incorporated interests
to evade the performance Of their just and
legal obligations to the State, and recon-
mends that additional penalties be pre-
scribed to compel compliance with the law


The affairs Of other railroads are briefly,
dismissed with tue exception Of the pro-
jected Baltimore and Drum Point road,
the advantages to result from which en-
terprise are fully set forth.


The sale of the States interest (by way
of mortgage to the amount Of 81 000.000)
in the Susquehanna aud Tidewater Canal
is recommended, provided the sale can be
effected for a fair price to parties who will
continue to improve the Canal and main
tain it as useful channel of commerce


The troubles in the Adjatant Generals
Office and the decline of the military spirit
and organizations of the State since the
militia law of last session are adverted to
as presenting proper subjects for iegisla-
| tive consideration.


| The Importance and increase of the cat
tie trade of Baltimore, as connected with
the enlargement and improvement of the
grounds attached to the State Live Stock
Scales. are referred to. with the recon-
mendation that the ground now owned by
| the State on Gwynn's Falls be sold, and
other property west of the present scales
be purchased.


An alteration in the Oyster law is sug-
gested, so as to make the captains or per-
sous in charge of vessels found violating
the law. as well as the owners. amenable
to punishment


The act of last session for the protec-
ton of Wild Fowl is thought to have borne
with undue hardship upon class of citi-
zeus engaged in shooting wild fowl for
living, while it has failed to answer the
objects of the sportsmen, who were the
special advocates of the law Inability at
the right time to secure the services of the
right person to act as Commissioner under
the Fish law of last session is assigned as
a reason why its provisions have not been
carried out. It is advised that fishing by
seine and gill-nets on Sunday be prohib-
tied by law.


The establishment of an Insurance De-
partment as branch of the Comptroller's
office, with further legislation to protect
the people from losses through bogus or
| fraudulent companies, is recommended.
A small appropriation to insure sup
lply of pure vaccine matter for the use of
the community. as prevention against
smallpox. is suggested.


/ Federal affairs are discussed at some
what greater length than usual, the Ku-
Klux Legislation Of Congress, the suspen-
sion of the writ of habeos corpus in South
Carolina, and Federal interference at
elections, under cover of the arbitrary
provisions of the bayonet election law, are
severally made the subject of indignant
and earnest protest on the part Of the
Governor. and the passage of joint reso-
lutions by the General Assembly express,
sive of the sentiments of the people OF the
State upon these subjects isrecommended.


The condition of the State House as
needing renovation aud repair, aad the
lpropriety of placing a monument or me-
mortal tablet over the remains of ex-Gov-
ernor Pratt, now buried in the Annapolis
cemetery arei called to the attention of