xii REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE TREASURY.

The gross receipts from the tobacco warehouses, were
$91,546.29, and their expenses, $74,251.49, leaving their
net earnings, $17,294.80, out of which, deduct the sala-
ries paid to the five inspectors, $9,000, and the balance
of $8,294.80, remains an increment to the treasury. This
is an improvement upon former years.

The receipts of the "Oyster Fund" were $56,075.32,
the disbursements, including$12,500 paid for the steamer,
"Governor Hamilton," were $54,114.13, leaving an incre-
ment to this fund, of $1,961.19. There was to the credit
of this fund, $239,946.40, which is included in the bal-
ance in the treasury proper.

The levy for public schools was $466.089.38 ; the dis-
bursements were $468,970.17; the receipts were $516,004.79
and in excess of the levy, $49,915.41. The distribution in
June, was less than I have been in the habit of making, but
it is hoped, at this writing, there will be enough of this tax
in hand on the first of January, to enable me to equalize
the June with the other distributions, and to retain a
sufficient sum to equalize future distributions, as directed
by the Act of 1878, chapter 91.

I have endeavored to discharge, faithfully and without
fear or favor, the delicate and responsible duties of the
trust, to which I have been called for three consecutive
terms, in the face of criticisms, which have been freely
made in regard to the operations of this department for
the last twenty years, and which have been attempted to
be severely visited upon the present management. Every
warrant for the payment of money, names the Act
of Assembly under which it was issued—:every voucher
is preserved—-every letter received is on file, and every
letter written is copied in a letter-book. I owe much
of this record to the efficient clerks who have labored
with me in this service; and I cheerfully commit
it to the keeping of the honorable gentleman who has
been elected to be my successor, and whose ability and
large experience in the discharge of public duties emi-
nently qualify him for his arduous task.

Your obedient servant,

THOS. J. KEATING,

Comptroller.