xii REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE TREASURY.

securities thus obtained used to liquidate the State debt. While
it would not entirely wipe out the State debt, yet it would so
materially reduce the same that a tax sufficient to maintain it
would not be burdensome as the 6 1/2 cents together with the
other 16 3/4 cents, making a State tax of 23 1/2 cents on each $100,
now manifestly is.

In this connection permit me to quote from my report to his
Excellency, Edwin Warfield, Governor of Maryland: "I deem
it advisable, however, to call your attention to the rapidly
increased funded debt of the State, and the purposes for which
loans have been authorized, within ,the past six years, viz:

Maryland Penitentiary .................................	$950,000
State House ...........................................	850,000
Springfield State Hospital ...............................	580,000
Fifth Regiment Armory ................................	420,000
House of Correction ....................................	370,000
Court of Appeals Building1...............................	290,000
Maryland Institute .....................................	175,000
Relief Fund Commission .................................	250,000
Heating Plant at Annapolis ..............................	140,000
Maryland Asylum and Training School for Feeble-Minded..	66,000
Maryland Agricultural College ...........................	57,000
Maryland Hospital for the Insane ........................	53,000
Cambridge Hospital ....................................	10,000
Charlotte Hall School ...............................	5,000
St. Mary's Academy.....................................	5,000
St. Mary's Female Seminary .............................	4,000
Total.......................................	$4,225,000

"While I share with you, as well as every other citizen, a just
pride in the public institutions of this State, for they are among
its most valued assets, yet due care should be taken lest we allow
State pride to lead us beyond our actual needs and the limit of
conservatism. As we increase and enlarge our public institu-
tions, we of necessity increase the cost of their maintenance, and
unless a limit is placed, such maintenance must be either helped
by a direct tax or the Treasury relieved of the burdens of some
of its other appropriations."