8

of the General Assembly, chap. 196, in relation to such cases, it is most
respectfully suggested, that the Public interest requires the interference of
the Executive in this matter, by the employment of Counsel, under Sec.
21, Art. 11, of the Constitution, that prompt and decided measures may
be taken therein.

Nothing has been received from the late Clerk of the Court of Common-
Pleas, who was in default, on account of Licenses, to the amount of

$17,862.75.

His account was immediately put in suit, in December 1853, and judg-
ments have been recovered against him and his sureties in the Superior
Court of Baltimore, for the amount of his indebtedness to the State on
this account. A deed of his property was made by Mr. Norwood to a
Trustee, for the protection of his Sureties, as far as the proceeds of his
property would go, and under that Deed the property has been sold,
and the funds brought into the Circuit Court for Baltimore City for
distribution.

A Petition was immediately filed by the State's Attorney, praying the
payment of the balance, which might remain in the hands of the Trustee,
after deducting costs, expenses and liens, into the State Treasury: and to
this, the Securities of Mr. Norwood made no objection. As yet, however,
no final action has been had in the matter.

There should be some provision of law compelling the payment into
the Treasury, and the annual return, of all Fines collected by process
before Justices of the Peace, for violation of the License Laws, and under
the Act of 1846, Chap. 109, and its Supplements. Such Fines are con-
stantly imposed, and if collected, find their way into places of deposit
other than the State Treasury; for not a dollar is ever received, at this
Department, from these sources.

la this connection another suggestion is offered, that the attention of the
Legislature shall hereafter be called to the necessity of fixing some specific
day in June and December of each year, upon which all Returns, of every
kind, should be made by all Public Officers, to this Department. This
would not only facilitate the operations of the Offices at the Seat of
Government, but would advance the whole public business.