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MESSAGE
-OF-
LLOYD LOWNDES,
GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND,
-TO THE-
General Asseivibly,
-AT ITS
REGULAR SESSION, JANUARY, 1900.
%#fi-
BALTIMORE :
Wm. J.
C. DuLAKY Co., State Prixters
iqoo,
/^^^
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MESSAG-E.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
AnistapoIvIS , Md., Janiiar}^ 3, 1900.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Delegates:
The Constitution of Maryland requires the Governor to in-
forni the General Assembly of the condition of the State and
recommend such measures as he may judge necessar}^ and ex-
pedient for the public welfare.
It has alwaj^s been my desire, and it is better for the State, for
the people to have an accurate knowledge of the Departments
and Institutions which derive their support from the public
funds.
In the management of all State Institutions and Bureaus I
have insisted upon the application of business principles, and it
gives me pleasure to say that their condition was never more
satisfactory. The details of their workings will shortly be sub-
mitted to you by their respective heads. I ask your careful
consideration of these reports, as I shall but briefly sketch the
operations of the branches of government.
STATE FINANCES.
The financial condition of the State, which is a matter of first
importance, maybe summarized as follows:
September 30, 1895, the net debt was fe)005j253 13
September 30, 1899, the net debt was 2,597,042 95
Showing a decrease in four years of 408,210 18
Although in the meantime there were issued for the
building of the new Penitentiary and the Second
Hospital for the Insane-^
Bonds amounting to , 1,200,000 00
173510
Making the actual reduction in the State debt since
1895 1, 60S, 210 18
The report of the Comptroller for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1898, shows that there was a balance
in the Treasurj^ on that date of 566,351 30
The report of the Comptroller for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1899, shows that the total receipts
into the Treasury during the year were 3,791,298 77
Making the total amount available in the Treasurj'
during the year 1899 of 4,357,650 07
The report of the Comptroller for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1899, shows the total disbursements
to have been 3,649,724 07
Leaving a balance in the Treasur}' on September 30,
1899, of 707,926 00
The substantial reduction in the State debt recorded above
has been accomplished in the face of greater appropriations for
educational and charitable purposes than were made during any
preceding administration. The revenues of the State are steadily
growing, and with this continuance of increase, which should
come under a wise and economical conduct of State affairs, there
is no reason wh}' the tax rate of 173^ cents should not be
materially lessened, and, within a few j^ears, the public debt paid
off.
Unnecessary cfl&ces should not be created and useless ones
should be discontinued. Every effort ought to be made to
lessen the weight of taxation.
Along this line I think that the office of State Fire Marshal
should be abolished. The $5,500 which is annually appro-
priated for its support could be withheld, and the powers of the
State Insurance Commissioner so enlarged that the duties of
Fire Marshal could be performed by one of his deputies.
For the purpose of attracting to the State desirable immigrants
the General Assembly of 1896 established the Bureau of Immi-
gration. The experiment has been tried, and in my judgment
the results have not been satisfactory.
MARYLAND PENITENTIARY.
The new buildings of the Maryland Penitentiary are com-
pleted and occupied. They were erected and equipped at a cost
of $1,071,110.45. This is now the most modern penal institu-
tion in the country. It continues to be self-supporting; the
receipts for the past year having been $120,396.46, the largest
in its history.
To make room for the new buildings it became necessarj^ to
raze some of the workshops. For the good of the inmates, as
well as the self-maintenance of the institution, these shops
should be restored, others put into operation, and the present
ones rearranged. The old Penitentiary building, too, should
be remodeled for hospital and other purposes. To carry out
this work $150,000 is needed. With the facilities which would
then be had it would not be long before the interest on the
Penitentiary Loan could be paid out of the proceeds of the
industrial enterprises located there.
HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
There is no institution in the State in which greater or more
needed advance has been made in the last four years than the
House of Correction. The original structure has been added to
and improved so that there is now a dormitory exclusively for
women, and a workshop apart from the living quarters, while
modern sanitary arrangements have been installed in the whole
building. New industrial enterprises have been inaugurated,
the proceeds of which have increased the revenues of the State
$12,000 more than in any year prior to 1896. Better discipline
is preserved, and the general administration is highly credita-
ble to the State.
STATE TOBACCO WAREHOUSES.
The work of the State Tobacco Warehouses under the provi-
sions of the Reorganization Act of 1898 has been very satisfac-
tory. The first report of the Chief Inspector for the year
6
ending March 31, 1898, showed the net earnings for the year to
be $15,705.05, an increase of more than $5,000 over any one
year since the establishment of the warehouses. Kxperience
has shown, however, that the law should be amended so as to
give the Chief Inspector larger powers over the appointment
and removal of subordinates.
MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The' Maryland Agricultural College has become one of the
most valuable educational institutions in the State. New
buildings have been added and much-needed improvement made
to the old, while the curriculum has been enlarged. The grow-
ing importance and appreciation of the college makes an addi-
tion to the main structure imperative.
The offices of State Entomologist and State Pathologist,
which are conducted in connection with the college, have been
administered so as to receive commendation from almost every
county, while the Department of Farmers' Institutes has been
productive of much good in the discussion of subjects which
are of practical import to agricultural classes.
MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,
The Maryland Geological Survey, inaugurated by the General
Assembly of Maryland of 1896, has accomplished important
results during the brief period of its operations.
Three large volumes have already been issued, including re-
ports dealing with the building stone industry, magnetic varia-
tions, highway improvement, and our agricultural and mineral
resources.
Reports of an educational character of the physiography and
geology of Maryland have been furnished, and other publica-
tions based upon the work of the past years are already in press,
including a fourth volume of the survey dealing with the geo-
logical and economic resources of the western counties, together
with a report of the surveys of both the western boundarj^ and
the Allegany-Garrett boundary line. The surveys of Allegany,
Garrett, Cecil and Kent counties are complete, together with
portions of Washington, Harford, Prince George's and Queen
Anne's counties.
One of the most important branches of the work of the sur-
vey during the past two years has related to the stud}^ of Mar}^-
land highway conditions. This work will afford the basis for
future legislation in this direction.
The most permanent and economical methods of road-building
may be ascertained after a period of model road-building in the
vicinity of the several county towns where the most approved
methods of road construction and actual operation may be
demonstrated for the benefit of the people.
I recommend that the work of the survey receive the same
liberal support of the General Assembly in the future as in the
past.
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
The administration of the public schools should be divorced
from all political influences. To this end I recommend the
adoption of legislation that will insure the minority partj^" rep-
resentation on all the School Boards in the State. The salaries
of the teachers in the public schools should be increased to a
degree commensurate with the importance and requirements of
the profession, and the tenure of ofEce for teachers should be
made more permanent, without regard to the mutations of
politics.
The State Normal School is increasing in usefulness, and
every year sending forth graduates well equipped as teachers.
The last General Assembly made an appropriation of $20,000
for a second Normal School at Frostburg. That amount being
found insufficient, Allegany County advanced $5,000 for the
erection of the building.
It will be necessary that an appropriation be made for the
furnishing of the school, which will be completed in a few
months.
A question which must sooner or later be met by the people
of Maryland is that of the education of the colored race, so that the
colored man may be given tools wherewith to become a good and
useful citizen. The most certain method, to my mind, is the
establishment of manual training and industrial schools. I
recommend that this matter be given your serious attention.
HOSPITALS FOR THE INSANE.
The State Hospitals for the Insane are competently man-
aged. Humane treatment for this class of patients is success-
fully practiced.
Through the liberal appropriations made by the last two
General Assemblies, the Board of Managers of the Spring
Grove Asylum was enabled to make many needed improvements
for the betterment of the inmates.
The Second Hospital, near Sykesville, is not surpassed by any
retreat of its kind. The open door treatment has been intro-
duced for the first time in the State, and has proven eminently
satisfactory. The first group of buildings is now occupied by
196 male patients. The second group is almost finished, and
will be occupied b3^ females.
The State has never made provision for a separate hospital
for the colored insane. From the best information there are
fully 350 of these unfortunates in the State. I would recom-
mend that a group of buildings be erected on the grounds at
Springfield for this purpose.
The questions of the State care of the pauper insane and the
diversion of the liquor license fees of Baltimore Citj^ to the in-
come of that municipality are being agitated.
The adoption of the first proposition is worthy of considera-
tion. It has been recommended by the State I^unacy Commis-
sion, which has repeatedly submitted its views on the matter to
the General Assembly. But if this is done the additional bur-
den thereby imposed upon the State will preclude any diversion
of the present revenues.
STATE LIBRARY.
During the excellent administration of the State Librarj' by
the present incumbent, the 39,000 volumes have been rearranged
and a card catalogue made.
Many valuable pamphlets have been examined, classified and
made accessible, and improved library" methods adopted.
STATE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.
The report of the State Insurance Commissioner shows that
the receipts from this department have largel}^ increased since
the present incumbent was appointed. There is no reason wh}^
this increase should not be kept up if the department continues
to be wisely conducted and the Insurance Laws so amended as
to conform to the changing demands of business. For the past
fiscal year the receipts were $166,795.09, while in 1895 the)-
were $134,100.98. I ask your attention to the recommendations
made b3' the commissioner.
FISH COMMISSIOl!}".
The Fish Commissioners have been most energetic, and from
all sections of the State the results of their labors have been
commended. Their work should continue to receive liberal
encouragement.
BUREAU OF INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS.
The Bureau of Industrial Statistics has been ably conducted.
Its report for the year 1898 contains for the first time statistical
tables dealing with the industries of Marjdand outside of Balti-
more City, besides having much other useful and reliable
information.
LIVE STOCK SANITARY BOARD.
The Live Stock Sanitar}^ Board has made itself one of the
most useful branches of the State Government. The scope of
the Board was enlarged by the Act of 1898, which placed upon
10
it the duty of inspecting the premises of those dairies from which
milk was shipped to the cities and towns. It is important to
note that the constitutionality of this Act was attacked, but the
legality of the measure has been affirmed by the Court of
Appeals.
STATE PRINTING.
Money can be saved to the State if the General Assembly will
provide means for the concentration of the State printing under
the management of one person. Under the present law, the
Clerk of the Court of Appeals biennially advertises for and lets
a contract for State printing. This contract, however, covers
only about one-third of all the printing that is paid for out of
the State Treasury. Nearly all the State Bureaus contract for
their own printing, which is paid for out of their regular appro-
priations. I would suggest a Public Printer, with authority to
do the work himself or contract for the same.
FIRE PROTECTION TO STATE HOUSE.
The General Assembly of 1S98 appropriated $3,000 to be
expended for improvements in the Electrical Equipment of the
State House to reduce the danger from fire. This work has
been completed, and additional fire protection has been secured
by placing on each floor and in different parts of the buildings
reels of hose attached to water plugs.
ELECTIONS.
Ever}^ safeguard should be thrown around our elections so
that the}^ may be made the free and fair index of the popular
will. To this end I think that legislation similar to that in
force in other States, and known as the Corrupt Practices Act,
would go far towards reducing corruption at the polls. A Pri-
mary Election Eaw should also be enacted, under the provisions
of which it may be possible for any reputable citizen to become
a candidate for public office. As it now stands, it is frequently
the case that only the man with money has anj- hope of winning
11
in the primaries, and then onl)^ if he be the choice of the party
organization. This not only precludes worthy citizens of lim-
ited means from the realization of honorable political ambitions,
but compels the people at the General Election to make their
selection between two men neither of whom is the first choice
of the majority of the voters.
The Constitution and law should be so changed that contested
elections in the case of Clerks of Courts and Registers of Wills,
instead of being decided by the House of Delegates, should be
passed upon by the Judges of the several Circuit Courts, and
in Baltimore City, by the Superior Court of that City. The
question at issue in such cases is purely one of law and fact,
and in no sense political.
POLICE REORGANIZATION.
The policing of a large city like Baltimore ought to be kept
entirely apart from partisan politics, and no political part)^
should be charged with or assume single-handed the preserva-
tion of order; every citizen, no matter what his political connec-
tion may be, has a right to demand the best protection possible
of his life and property. The time has arrived when the Board
of Police Commissioners of Baltimore City should be reorganized
upon a non-partisan basis. In order to secure undivided respon-
sibility, the power of appointment of Police Commissioners
should rest with the Governor, with the consent of the Senate.
OYSTERS.
The steady dimunition of the oyster supply of the Chesapeake
Bay'ought to receive careful consideration. The time has come
when the State must take some action for improving the waste-
ful methods at present emploj^ed in catching oysters, and for the
encouragement of oyster planting. The oyster fund derived
from Tongers' and Dredgers' Licenses continues to be insuffi-
cient for the support of the State Fishery Force.
12
MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA BOUNDARY LINE.
For some years past at various times difficulties have occurred
between the citizens of Maryland and the Oyster Police Force
of Virginia along the line between the two States. Arrests
have been made of the citizens of Maryland, who have appealed
to the Executive, claiming that the arrests were made while
thej^ were pursuing their dailj^ labor either of oystering or crab-
bing within the territory of Maryland.
In order to avoid these difficulties commissioners were ap-
pointed by the Executives of Maryland and Virginia to mark
the boundary line, and their reports, on file, show that the work
has been satisfactorily done.
AMElfTDMENT OF MUNICIPAL CHARTERS.
It sometimes happens that an important amendment to a
municipal charter, containing features obnoxious to a majority
of the citizens it is to affect, is passed by the General Assembly
at the instance of the local officers. To obviate this difficulty
I think it well that the General Assembly should require a
popular vote on such measures before they become effective.
STATE AUDITOR.
I wish to renew the recommendation which I made in my
Message to the General Assembly of 1898, that provision be
made for a State Auditor, whose duty shall be to examine the
accounts of public officers who receive and disburse State funds,
and of institutions that receive State aid.
MARYLANDERS IN CIVIL WAR.
The General Assembly of 1896 authorized me to appoint a
commission, without compensation, to compile and publish a
History of the Maryland Volunteers in the Civil War. This
work has been conscientiousl}^ done, and contains the records of
62,000 soldiers and sailors who were an honor to the nation and
to the State.
13
I would recommend that a similar publication be made of the
names of Marylanders who volunteered their services during
the war with Spain.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
On the first call for volunteers by the President, April 23,
1898, the State of Maryland furnished one regiment of infantry
(Fifth Regiment Maryland United States Volunteers) com-
manded by Col. R. Dorsey Coale, consisting of fifty ofiicers and
961 enlisted men, aggregating ion, and two battalions of infan-
try (First Maryland United States Volunteers) commanded by
Col. W. P. Lane, consisting of thirty-two officers and 626
enlisted men, aggregating 658.
On the second call by the President the State furnished one
battalion of infantry, consisting of sixteen officers and 426
enlisted men, aggregate 442.
The total strength of these commands was ninety-eight officers
and 2,013 enlisted men, aggregate 2,111 — this was the full quota
of the State asked for by the War Department. In addition to
this the Navy Department on the first call and subsequently
was furnished twenty-six officers and 430 enlisted men, making
a total of 124 officers and 2,443 men, aggregating 2,567 furnished
by the State.
The Maryland Naval Battalion manned the United States
Auxiliar}^ Cruiser "Dixie" and several United States Monitors.
The men comprising the crew of the Dixie were the only organi-
zation from Maryland which had actual war service, having
participated in the capture of Ponce, Peurto Rico. The State
appropriated $200,000 for preparing troops for the war. Of
this sum $125,000 was used. Vouchers have been filed with the
War Department. $101,080.40 has been refunded to the State,
and I hope that the full amount will be shortly returned.
No troops furnished the government were more expeditiously
and fully clothed, armed and equipped for service and sent
forward than those from the State of Maryland .
Kvery care and comfort was extended to the sick soldiers
14
brought home from the camps in the South and placed in our
hospitals, and no necessary expense was spared in giving them
the best medical attention during their convalescence.
The foregoing gives a fair general idea of the condition of the
departments and institutions of the State. I would, however,
again suggest that you accord to the reports submitted from
these sources a careful hearing, as they contain much informa-
tion of value that could not well be made within the compass of
a paper such as this. With these as a guide, and with the inter-
ests of the whole people of the State in view, I trust that 3-ou
will enact such measures as will redound to its honor and pro-
mote the public welfare.
LI.OYD LOWNDES.