xvi

The prudence and discretion of the committee will be mani-
fest upon an inspection of the vouchers of their expenditures,
on file in the Comptroller's office.

It is a source of pleasure to be able to bear testimony to the
general promptness and efficiency of the various officers
throughout the State, in their connection with the Treasury
Department; and special commendation is due to those of Bal-
timore city, for their zeal and energy in the public service.
The receipts into the Treasury from Baltimore city, exclusive
of those from Tobacco Warehouses, Live Stock Scales, Hay
Scales, Incorporated Institutions, &c., during the fiscal year,
were $349,895.09, thus illustrating the remark of Governor
Lowe in his message of the year 1852, that "the broad
shoulders of that noble city now bear up more than one-third
of the whole burden of the State;" while, as he very justly
observed, she contributes in a much larger proportion by her
indirect revenues.

In conclusion, the Comptroller congratulates the represen-
tatives of the people upon the financial condition of the State:
prosperous and flourishing far beyond the most sanguine an-
ticipations of ten years ago. The taxes have been reduced
from time to time, despite of timid remonstrance, and yet
the revenues have continued to meet every demand; and the
Sinking Fund has now reached a sum which will, by augmen-
tation from its interest alone, more than suffice to liquidate the
Public Debt at maturity, without the addition of one solitary
cent from surplus revenue.

In the further discharge of his duties, the Comptroller holds
himself in readiness to obey the behests of your Honorable
body.

Respectfully submitted,

WM. HENRY PURNELL,

Comptroller.