1892. ] OF THE SENATE. 37

tributed. And the injunction of the Constitution,
"that every person in the State ought to contribute
Ms proportion of the public taxes for the support of
the government, according to his actual worth in real
and personal property, " would be more faithfully
observed.
Pardon me for calling your attention briefly to one
other important subject of legislation, which may be

-considered by you during the session; I refer to the
World's Columbian Exposition, which is likely to be
the most important event in the history of this coun-
try during my administration. The practical good
that may be accomplished by the success of the expo-

-sition can scarcely be estimated at this time. I speak
not of the mere sentiment that is awakened by the
thought that it is the design to celebrate an event
which gave to the world a new continent, and to us,
in the fullness of time, a country and a home great and
happy, beyond the dreams of those whose eyes first
looked out upon our shores. But I rather refer now
in the practical thought of the day, to the material
advantages to be derived from a proper exhibit of our
productions, in contrast with those of other States
and countries. We are citizens of a great common-
wealth; there is not one embraced within the borders
of this country that can better afford to place on exhi-
bition the resources with which the Almighty has
blessed her. Not only will our sister States partici-
pate in this celebration, but many of the most impor-
tant foreign countries will be represented.

Large sums of money have already been appro-
priated, and can we, of Maryland, afford to be absent
when interest and patriotism unite in demanding our
presence ?

I cannot close this address without offering my con-
gratulations to all parties upon securing an election
system which has met with such general approval
from all sections of the State; and, although in the
nature of an experiment, and may possibly need some
improvement, the good resulting from it is now estab-
lished, and it only remains for this General Assembly
to improve its provisions, if possible, and to extend
the system to the nine counties of the State which are
now excepted.