XXII REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE TREASURY.

the Treasury are such as to require the strictest economy on the part
of the General Assembly. I therefore bespeak from your Honorable
Bodies a rigid scrutiny of all questionable claims on the State Treasury,
and the utmost care to guard against unnecessary appropriations.

Provision ought to be made by law for conducting the Department,
in case of illness or necessary absence of the Comptroller from Annapo-
lis, by authorizing him in such case, to appoint in writing his Chief
Clerk, to discharge the duties of Comptroller pro tem., and for all the
acts of said deputy, while so acting, the bond of the Comptroller
should be answerable in the same manner and extent as for bis personal
acts. As the office is at present organized, a severe illness of the
incumbent would entirely arrest the regular business of the Depart-
ment. A similar recommendation was made many years ago by the
present Governor of the State, when Comptroller, and has probably
been made since, but no law has yet been enacted to provide for such
emergency.

This subject, in view of the increased business of the Department,
and the great inconvenience to the public which might occur, for want
of such a provision, ought not to be deferred by your Honorable Bodies
Respectfully submitted,

LEVIN WOOLFORD,

Comptroller of the Treasury.