XVI REPORT OF THE

the present rate of taxation, of over a quarter million
dollars.

In this matter of taxation we are far behind many or
our neighboring States.

In New Jersey, Railroads pay a tribute for passing over
its soil sufficient to defray the entire expense of the State
government.

And Pennsylvania, though liberal towards its Rail-
roads, collects annually from them and other corpora-
tions in the State, an amount which enables its law
making' power to exempt the land from all State Taxes-

With these facts before us, would it be any great
hardship upon our Railroads to make them take their
stand with the land and bear equally with the agricul-
tural interests of the State the burdens of government?

This question I will leave for you to answer as you
may think the interest of the State can be best sub-
served.

"Statement L" gives in detail the disbursements on
account of the Public Schools, for the year 1885, com-
mencing on the 1st day of October, 1884, to be $509,
940.92 being $6,053.87 loss than they were for the year
1884.

The receipts for the Fiscal year, 1885, on account of
this Fund, were $538,994.02, being $43,152.82 more than
they were for the Fiscal year, 1884.

"Table No. 1, gives the receipts from the Clerks of
Courts, on account of licenses, &c., and from other-
sources, for the year ending on the 30th day of Septem-
ber, 1885, to be the sum of $542,969.88, and shows an in-
crease over the fiscal year, 1884, of $16,183.23.

A considerable part of this increase comes from the
sale of liquor licenses in Baltimore City and from the sale
sale of licenses to dredge for oysters.

Under this head it is proper that I should make a few
suggestions upon the subject of

LICENSES.

A large portion of the State's revenues is derived
from licenses. Several efforts have been made in the