immediately opened up to their inspection the various records.
and papers contained in his department. We found most of
the papers in great confusion and unprotected ; many of the
records in a very dilapidated condition, being worn, faded,
and in many instances, almost extinct. The binding of re-
cords and indices are, in many instances, entirely gone; in-
deed, the general condition of the office being such as to
devolve upon the State the absolute necessity of some imme-
diate remedial measures to preserve the very existence of the
usefulness of the office.

Entertaining these views, we beg leave to suggest the ne-
cessity of passing a law appropriating such moderate sum of
money as, in the judgment of your Committee, although not
sufficient to do all that should be done, will be the means,
nevertheless, of arresting from annihilation many of the most
important records and papers of said Office.

Very respectfully,
E. J. HENKLE,
Senate Committee.

THOMAS MARTIN,
J. ALFRED RITTER,
J. M. STANDISH,
House of Delegates.

Which was read and adopted.

Mr. Henkle, from the Select Committee to whom the sub-
ject was referred, reported a bill entitled an Act to appropri-
ate a sum of money for transcribing, indexing, rebinding
and preserving the records, and for preparing a digest of
the laws and rules of the Land Office.

Which was read the first time.

The House bill entitled an Act to amend the Public Gen-
eral Laws, passed at January session, 1865, chapter 31, so
as to exempt Wicomico and Dorchester counties from the
effect of the 20th section thereof, so far as relates to the pub-
lication of the Local Laws,

Was read the third time and passed by yeas and nays, as
follows:
AFFIRMATIVE.

Messrs. Biggs, Miller,
Carroll, Parker,
Clarke, Sellman,
Henkle, Sayder,
Henry, Spates,
Hyland, Stephenson,
Kimmel, Timmons—14.

NEGATIVE—None.