COMPTROLLER OF THE TREASURY. xvii

I regret to be compelled to report, that Hon. Charles A. Wailes
Insurance Commissioner was obliged, from ill health, to ask leave
of absence from the office, and the appointment of a Commissioner
ad interim. Leave was granted to him for seven months from
December 1st, and Hon. John M. Miller was assigned to the charge
of the office ad interim. Col. Miller has given bond, taken the
oath required by law and entered upon his duties on that day.

BALANCES OF STATE TAXES DUES AND UNPAID.

Table No. 14 shows in detail the balances of State taxes for the
year 1875, due from Collectors therein named, at the end of the fis-
cal year, amounting in the whole to the sum of $500,888.46.

Table No. 15 exhibits a list of balances duo the State from Col
lectors and from Baltimore city for a series of years from 1843 to
1874 inclusive, amounting in the aggregate to §550,919.08, portions
of which have been settled since the close of the fiscal year. Of
this large amount the sum of $355,801.39 is due from the City of
Baltimore. In the counties, the Collectors are held by law directly
responsible under their bonds for the amounts placed in their hands
for collection, and the accounts have been placed in the hands of
the State's Attornics from time to time and suits have been ordered
for their recovery,

Table No 16 exhibits in. detail the balances standing on the books
of this office at the end of the fiscal year, against Sheriffs in the
different counties and City of Baltimore for various years from 1848
to 1874 inclusive, amounting to $29,124.57 exclusive of interest.

Table No. 17 exhibits the balances duo from Clerks of Courts and
Registers of Wills and other officers therein named, at the close of
the fiscal year, amounting to $57,078,87, and the estimated amount
due from the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company for the one-
fifth receipts from passengers on the Washington Branch, of
$537,862.82. As no returns have been made by the Company for
a number of years, the amount due can only be estimated by former
returns. The establishment of a competing line of railroad be-
tween Baltimore and Washington, without the imposition of the
same tax upon the rival Company, has wrought an unfair discrimina-
tion against the great work in which the State is so large a stock-
holder.

It is therefore clear to my mind, that the charter of the Baltimore
and Potomac Rail Road Company should be amended, so as to sub-
2