xv

I suggest that the Comptroller be empowered to correct
these difficulties promptly, or that the Legislature provide
some mode for the correction of these evils.

By Resolution No. 20, of the Session of 1862, the Comp-
troller was required to bring suit against all persons indebted
to the State. The labor of making up the accounts (many
of which were surrounded with difficulty) caused some
months to elapse before these accounts were prepared for
suit. This delay was inevitable, in view of the large amount
of current business then pressing constantly upon Comp-
troller and Clerks. These accounts, however, were placed
in the hands of State's Attorneys, very generally, in time
for the autumn and winter Courts of 1862, and instructions
forwarded in almost every case, to proceed at once with the
suits ; and in cases where judgments had been obtained, on
suits hitherto brought, the State's Attorneys were requested
to have executions issued at once, and such claims pressed "to
speedy settlement. I regret to say 'that the instructions of
the Comptroller in these particulars, have in many instances
been disregarded, and hence the continuation in the several
Tables of this Report, of so large a number of persons still
standing indebted to the State.

The Comptroller is responsible that means be provided to
meet the demands upon the Treasury, and that he may not
fail in this important duty, there is needed some legislation
upon this subject in addition to that already provided.

I call the attention of the Legislature to the suggestions
made in my Report of 1862, pages ix, x and xi, in regard to
the unclaimed portions of the appropriations made by the
Act of 1860, Chapter 303, to Works of Internal Improve-
ment upon the Eastern Shore. The circumstances in relation
to such appropriations, continue much the same as then set
forth.

The nett receipts from Tobacco Inspections for the last
fiscal Year, as per Table No. 8, are about the same as those
of the preceding year. There would no doubt, have been a
material increase of revenue from this source, but for the
interruption of Rail Road communication, during the year,
with the West.