COMPTROLLER OF THE TREASURY. IX

aggregate to the sum of $208,934.54, being about the same
as the amount received last fiscal year, less the interest
on the Bonds of the Baltimore & Ohio R. 11. Co. trans-
ferred to the Sinking Funds.

OYSTER FUND

The receipts on account of the Oyster Fund during the
fiscal year, as shown in " Statement H" were $79,704.17,
being $12,864.15 greater than for the last fiscal year.

The Disbursements for the same period amount to
§127,089.56.

In this amount, it should be remembered, is included
the expense of building the two iron steamers for the
service above referred to; and deducting their cost from
the gross disbursements leaves $65,050.70 as the net or-
dinary expense of the service, which sum is $14,754.47
less than the gross receipts.

These figures present for the year a very satisfactory
showing; but the carrying clause of the Oyster Law hav-
ing been recently declared unconstitutional by the
Court, the receipts" for the present year will perhaps be
barely sufficient to maintain the present expensive ser-
vice. Some Legislation therefore upon this subject will
be necessary.

Whether it shall be by the curtailment of the Police
Force, in order to decrease expenses, or the passage of
some law whereby the revenue shall be increased, are
questions which is in your province to determine.

There are some things, however, in connection with,
this subject that our past experience teaches which
should not, and I am sure will not, be lost sight of.
And these are : 1st. That while the State does not
rely upon the Oyster Beds as a source of revenue, yet
the catching of oysters not only affords employment, to
thousands of her citizens, but the revenue derived there-
from adds very materially to the wealth of the State
and that wealth, in common with other property, con-
tributes to its share of the public burdens. And 2d