1870.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 807

uary session, 1867, of the General Assembly of Maryland,
chapter 219, entitled an Act to incorporate the Monumental
Fire Insurance Company of Baltimore, and to change the
name of said Corporation, and to enlarge its powers.

W^hich was read.
Also,

The following message, together with accompanying re-
port :

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Annapolis, March 16. 1870.
Gentlemen of the General Assembly of Maryland :

In pursuance of the Joint Resolution of the General As-
sembly authorizing the appointment of a Committee by me,
of two competent persons to examine the property, condition
of scales, fencing, &c., &c , at the State Cattle Scales, and
to report to me what additional accommodations are needed
at said Scales, together with the estimate of the costs of the
same, and upon the receipt of the said Report to transmit
the same to the General Assembly, with such recommenda-
tions as, in my judgment, the interest of the State demanded,
I appointed the Hon. George A. Kirk and the Hon. Lewis
Turner, Jr., whose Report I have the honor herewith to
transmit. As stated in my Annual Message to the General
Assembly, the cattle trade of Baltimore city has so largely
increased within the last few years, as to my own knowledge,
not only to make desirable, but absolutely necessary, the
erection of additional Weigh Scales. Dealers and their ani-
mals are often required to wait for hours, in the worst
weather, in the overcrowded alleys, for their turn to get upon
the Scales. Increased iacilities will attract largely increased
numbers of cattle.

Reference to the Comptroller's Report will show that, the
Scales last year, paid into the State Treasury nearly ten
thousand dollars. The additional Scales recommended, I
believe, will pay for their erection within twelve months.
Were the condition of the State Treasury more affluent, I
should also be inclined to unite with the Committee in its
recommendation for the purchase of more ground, but in its
present condition I think that the immediate wants of the
cattle tradp ran be satisfied by the erection of an additional
Scale, and I earnestly recommend an appropriation for that
purpose. ODEN BOWIE.

ANNAPOLIS, MD., March 15, 1870.
To his Excellency,

Oden Bowie, Governor of Maryland :

In accordance with appointment made by your Excellency,
on the 12th instant, under a Joint Resolution of both Houses