COMPTROLLER OF THE TREASURY xiii

Her ownership of the majority of the stock of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Canal Company has never been, and it is
more than likely, never will be an interest paying invest-
ment, but has ever been, is to-day, and ever will be, a dis-
turbing element in her politics. There are rival interests
anxious to obtain the control of this canal. Let's see
whether and what they are willing to pay the State for it.
The bonds of the Columbia and Port Deposit Railroad Com-
pany and the stocks of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
Company were at one time productive assets, but have paid
nothing for a number of years. The stocks of the Baltimore
and Fredericktown Turnpike and the Baltimore and York-
town Turnpike Companies are fitful with their dividends
and paid nothing last year. The stocks of the Baltimore
and Potomac Railroad Company have never paid a dividend.
The stocks of the Annapolis and Elk Ridge Railroad Com-
pany and of the Bohemia Bridge Company were authorized
to be sold by the last General Assembly, and have been told
conditioned upon the payment of the money; the condi-
tions have, not been as yet, but maybe, complied with.

The Maryland Penitentiary, instead of drawing its ap-
propriation of , $10,000, made a payment of $7,326.43 to the
State last year.

The State Fishery Force paid expenses and salaries and
increased the "Oyster Fund" $6,522.09 last year. Year
before last it decreased this fund $22,174.03. Local legis-
lation has diverted from the State into the county treasury
the revenue from scooping licenses in several of the counties,
the waters of which are commanded by police sloops at the
expense of the State. These local laws should be repealed,
or the State relieved of the expense of protecting these
waters. The revenue from tonging license is paid to the
schools of the several counties; a very good application of
this fund. The Police Steamer and most of the sloops are
old and constantly needing repairs. The oyster, the oyster
navy and the oyster interests of the State are sources of fruit-
ful suggestions, which I hope will ultimately result in prac-
tical and profitable legislation upon this important article of
commerce and the various interests involved in it.