530 



MARYLAND. 



ducted under the act of 1880, chapter 198. 

 When the service was first established it was 

 expected that it would not only be self-sustain- 

 ing, but yield a considerable revenue to the 

 State. In both these respects the service has 

 proved a failure, and has not been as efficient 

 in any respect as was anticipated. 



Practically the service is a failure. The 

 force is not efficient ; the sloops are not suited 

 t> the service, and the steamer is unfit for it. 

 And the service it-elf is regarded by many 

 more, as an instrument of personal or partisan 

 interest than as a means to sustain a public 

 policy. 



The disbursements ibr this service for the fiscal 



year 1880 were $41,784 9T 



Receipts for thu same year 19,61104 



This deficiency paid out of the Treasury $22,173 93 



The receipts from the service for the fiscal year 



l-M $44,925 71 



Disbursements for the same year 83,403 62 



Excess of receipts over expenditures. $6,522 09 



This excess, thus for the first time for years 

 relieving the Treasury from a heavy charge, is 

 to be attributed to the more efficient provisions 

 of the act of 1880. The receipts from licenses 

 are more than doubled, while a reduction of 

 salaries has diminished expenditures. 



Under the present and under preceding laws 

 there are two classes of oyster-men those who 

 take by rakes or tongs, and those who take by 

 scoops or dredges. The former are obliged to 

 get a license from the clerk of the county of 

 their residence to take oysters within prescribed 

 limits, and the revenue derived from these li- 

 censes goes to the public schools of such county. 

 The latter get license from the Comptroller to 

 take oysters in the open bay and sounds, and 

 within defined limits, beyond which they are 

 not to go, and the revenue from such license 

 is paid into the State Treasury. The whole 

 service for enforcing the laws as to both classes 

 or protecting the rights of either is borne by 

 the State, while certain counties get the entire 

 revenue from the one class. 



The act of 1880, chapter 36, regulates the 

 taking of oysters in the Potomac River. This 

 act, to take effect, requires the passage of a 

 similar act by the State of Virginia. 



Upon this subject the Governor says : 



For myself, upon some consideration, I have formed 

 conclusions that moderate dredging improves the beds, 

 while, upon the other hand, if it continues as now 

 carried on, the period will not be far distant before 

 the beds are practically destroyed. What is to he 

 done in the conflicting views 'and interests is the 

 trouble. 



A system something of this kind 1 would suggest : 

 That the present lines, or others that may be more 

 convenient or eligible, be fixed separating the tonging 

 from the dredging interests ; that the sloops be sold or 

 transferred to the counties to protect their local inter- 

 ests, and _to have whatever revenue can be derived 

 from it without conflicting with the general revenue 

 to be derived from the trade for the State ; that the 

 dredgers be obliged to take out licenses as now pro- 

 vided, but at a nominal charge ; that the dredgmg- 

 grounds be divided into three districts, well denned 



and easily distinguishable, and as nearly equal in 

 oyster surface as can be ; that but one of the districts 

 be open to dredging for the season, and the other two 

 in successive years, then returning to the one first 

 opened; that the enforcement of the regulations of 

 this system will require an active service of four or 

 six steam-tugs ; will be somewhat expensive, and will 

 require considerable revenue. To this end, the oys- 

 ters ought to be taxed by the gallon and bushel, and 

 the taxes paid through stamps and permits to be sold 

 under rules prescribed by the Comptroller, by clerks 

 of courts, officers of the steamers, and others that he 

 might designate ; that no companies or individuals in 

 the State should transport or carry any packages con- 

 taining oysters, whether shucked or in the shell, un- 

 less duly stamped, and no vessels to carry them out 

 of the waters of the State without having the pack- 

 ages stamped, or if in bulk the quantity permitted. 

 All these to be enforced by severe penalties, and, in 

 case of violation of any of its provisions, vessels to be 

 confiscated, or, if fined, the vessel to be held for the 

 fine. 



I feel that a system perfected upon some such basis 

 would insure a large revenue, sufficient not only to 

 support the service, but yield a considerable amount 

 to the State. It does appear hard that while real es- 

 tate and every other industry is taxed for the support 

 of the State, this one great productive branch should 

 be measurably exempt. 



On the subject of the inspection of tobacco 

 great differences of opinion exist, both among 

 planters and buyers. 



For the fiscal year ending September 80, 1880, the 

 receipts from the five warehouses were $87,618 05 



Total disbursements, except for salaries of inspect- 

 ors, insurance, and ground-rent 82,988 90 



Net earnings $4,624 15 



But, as against these earnings, the sum of 

 $13,668.07 was paid by the Treasury to the in- 

 spectors for their salaries, and for insurance 

 and ground-rent, leaving a deficiency of $8,- 

 645.54 as a charge upon the Treasury. 



For the fiscal year ending September 30, 1881, the 

 receipts were $75,320 02 



Disbursements, except for salaries of inspectors, 

 etc 64,734 90 



Net earnings for fiscal year, 1881 $10,535 12 



But, as against these earnings, the sum of 

 $10,898.11 was paid by the Treasury to the in- 

 spectors for their salaries, and for insurance 

 and ground-rent, leaving a deficiency of $312.99 

 as a charge upon the Treasury, showing, how- 

 ever, in this respect, a considerable improve- 

 ment over preceding years. 



Great complaint is made of the mode of in- 

 spection, that while it inspires no confidence 

 or gives no guarantee as to the quality of the 

 article in the package, its imperfections tend to 

 encourage false or careless packing. The mar- 

 ket for this important product is impaired in 

 the principal foreign marts. Buyers for ship- 

 ment abroad are subject to reclamations, and 

 the traffic that should be buoyant is embar- 

 rassed in every stage of progress toward the 

 manufacturer. 



There was appropriated for the support of 

 the State House of Correction for the fiscal 

 year 1880 the sum of $31,400, and there was 

 paid out of the Treasury for such support the 

 sum of $31,129.27; other expenditures were 



