274 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Feb. 13,

Your Committee, in the interest of the travelling public,
does not favor an increase of the rate of riding when relief
can be afforded the Companies without entailing additional
burdens upon the passenger. Nor do we understand the
memorialists as demanding or prefering it, if other relief can
be afforded.

The Committee, however, with State pride in the beautiful
parks of Baltimore, and every desire to have them properly
kept up and improved, nevertheless consider that in view of
the very large amount paid in the last twelve years by the
Railway Company ; of its crippled financial and material
condition requiring a large present outlay to repair its tracks
and renew its cars ; of the building and running of compet-
ing and closely parralel roads, and fully impressed with the
conviction that a reduced rate of taxation upon the different
Companies will guarantee au ample amount for all the re-
quirements of the Parks, recommend that the Park Tax,
which the several Passenger Railways in the city of Balti-
more are required to pay, shall be reduced from one-fifth of
their gross receipts to one-half cent upon each adult pas-
senger.

Which was read and ordered to be entered on the Journal.

Mr. Blake, on the part of the Committee appointed to
visit the House of Refuge and the Maryland Penitentiary,
submitted the following

REPORT:

To the Honorable

The General Assembly of Maryland:

The undersigned, Joint Committee, appointed by your
Honorable Body for the purpose of visiting and examining
into the condition of the House of Refuge, and the Maryland
Penitentiary, would respectfully report, that in the discharge
of their duty, they visited first the House of Refuge, the
worthy Superintendent, Mr. W. R. Lincoln, together with a
number of the Board of Managers assisted your Committee
in making a thorough and satisfactory examination of the
Institution.

The buildings were found to be in good repair, and in a
cleanly condition ; the inmates had a cleanly appearance,
both as regards their persons and their clothing, their gen-
eral healthy appearance, ruddy cheeks, &c., gave evidence of
their being well fed, and otherwise properly cared for.

A number of the larger youths are employed by contract-
ors, subject, however, to the strict discipline and rules gov-
erning the Institution. It was surprising to see, with what
cheerfulness and zeal, they applied themselves to their re-