State, will doubtless be cheerfully accorded, in whatever man-
ner may best conduce to the carrying out of plans so intimately
connected with our common prosperity.
I would recommend, that steps be taken at once, to bring
the attention of our representatives in Congress, during its
present session, to the advantage of the harbor of Baltimore,
in connection with our naval marine, in an economical
point of view, and the strong claims of our State, to aid
from Congress, in recommencing the work upon our ship
channel, with a view to a competent and unobstructed high-
way to the ocean, at the earliest practicable day. The amount
of appropriation needed will be nominal compared with its
value and importance to the Government.

REORGANIZATION OF THE MILITIA.

At your last session a report was submitted, detailing a plan
for the reorganization of the Militia of the State, comprising
many practical and useful features, suggested by the unsettled.
condition in which the country was placed by the rebellion.
The Legislature having failed to act upon the subject, owing
to the multiplicity of important and urgent measures of do-
mestic policy engaging the attention of your body at that time,
and the limited period within which you were compelled to
close your labors, I feel constrained to bring it again to yoar
attention. The triumphant close of the war, does not release
us from the necessity of adopting some suitable plan for the
protection of the State. While it is no part of my policy, to
recommend in time of peace, any system which shall inter-
fere with the industrial pursuits of our citizens, or the impo-
sition of any unreasonable tax upon the services of those
subject to militia duty, it must be admitted that a govern-
ment constituted as we are, cannot be considered perfect,
without the presence at all times of a living military organi-
zation, subject to the call of the Executive and Legislature,
in times of extraordinary emergency. Taking the report
heretofbre submitted as a basis, it has seemed to me, that a
plan may be readily matured, avoiding every just ground of
objection, and competent to ensure the public safety against
ordinary disturbance. It cannot be denied, that the neglect
of this duty in the past, has been attended with both loss and
humiliation to our people. In times of proibund peace, we
should not forget the contingencies to which the State is al-
ways exposed; and by making timely provision for probable
or possible events, inspire confidence in the ability of the
authorities, to afibrcl assistance at all times, to those who have
a right to look to them for protection.