XX REPORT OF THE

There is but one avenue of escape from the impend-
ing wreck and ruin that now stand ready to engulf it.

An appeal once more to the State for aid by which it
can be rescued from its present perilous condition.

But will the people submit to taxation for such a work?

It will be the duty of the next General Assembly
to deal with the question in the manner which its
importance demands.

THE ASSESSMENT AND STATE LEVY.

"Statement K" shows the amount of assessed property
in Baltimore city and in every county of the State, and
gives the assessment in 1877 and 1886, in order that they
may be compared. It also gives the State Levy for 1886.
The total assessable property in this State as shown by
this statement is $476,829,611.00, which, at the present
tax rate, will realize when collected the sum of
$476,829.61 for Public Schools, and the sum of $417,223.9 1
for interest on a portion of the State debt and for the
maintenance of the Sinking Funds.

While in many of the counties of the State arid in
Baltimore city there has been an increase in the asses-
sable basis since the levy of 1885, making a total gain
of 13,377,467,00, the city furnishing $2,039,477.00 of this
sum, and which indicate prosperity both in the counties
and in the city, yet the assessment of 1886 is short of
the assessment of 1877, in the State by the sum of
$1,638,417,00, and in Baltimore city short by the sum of
$9,084,446.00.

The falling off in the assessable basis in Baltimore city
is attributable in a great measure to the failure to secure
the assessment of personal property.

In all large cities an annual assessment of personal
property is indispensable if you would maintain the as-
sessable basis and make all contribute according to
their worth to the burdens of government.

A bill was prepared at the last Session of the Legis-
lature, providing for an entire re-assessment of the
property of the State, but owing to the question of
a new Constitution soon to be submitted to the