Stenographer:

Edna O. Dempsey ... ... -..... Annapolis
License Inspectors

Frank P. Bratten, Chief ...... Pocomoke City
John H. Farlow, Assistant ... ... . Salisbury
Thomas A. Gilleece, Assistant . ... . Hancock
Mathew A. Powers, Assistant . . . . . Ellicott City

Messenger:
J. Philip Beall ... ....... -.- - - Annapolis

The Comptroller is elected by the people for a term of four years
from the third Monday in January next ensuing his election. The
Comptroller apoints all officers in his own office.

The Comptroller is the head of the Division of Financial Review of
the Finance Department. He is directed to exercise supervision and
direction over the State Auditor, the State Bank Commissioner, the State
Insurance Department, the State Tax Commission and the Central Pur-
chasing Bureau.

The Comptroller shall have the general superintendence of the fiscal
affairs of the State; he shall digest and prepare plans for the improve-
ment ana management of the revenue, and for the support of the pub-
lic credit; prepare and report estimates of the revenue and expendi-
tures of the State; superintend and enforce the prompt collection of
all taxes and revenue; adjust and settle, on terms prescribed by law,
with delinquent collectors and receivers of taxes and State revenue;
preserve all public accounts; decide on the forms of keeping and stat-
ing accounts; grant, under regulations, prescribed by law, all warrants
for money to be paid out of the Treasury, in. pursuance of appropria
tions by law, and countersign all checks drawn by the Treasurer upon
any bank or banks, in which the moneys of the State may, from time
to time, be deposited; prescribe the formalities of the transfer of
stock, or other evidence of the State debt, and countersign the same,
without which such evidence shall not be valid; he shall make to the
General Assembly full reports of all his proceedings, and of the state
of the treasury department, within ten days after the commencement
of each session; and perform such other duties as shall be prescribed
by law.

The General Assembly of 1929 passed an Act providing for a change
in the Constitution which would permit the Comptroller to appoint
deputies with authority to sign warrants and countersign checks. This
authority would make possible the direct payment of all obligations
of the State by the State Treasury Department and would give the cen-
tral accounting office of the State an opportunity to pass upon all
vouchers before payment. It has not been possible to provide for direct
payment of all vouchers because of the impossibility of one man, the
Comptroller, being able to sign all the warrants and checks which
would be necessary if this plan were put into effect. A similar provision
is proposed for the State Treasurer's Office so that the State Treasurer
will be authorized to appoint a deputy, or deputies, to sign checks in
payment of State obligations.