1904.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 225

To the Honorable, the Members of the

General Assembly of the State of Maryland.

Gentlemen: The Fourth Regiment, Maryland Nat-
ional Guard, respectfully begs leave to submit to you
its petition setting forth the facts connected with its
measures before your assembly.

The Fourth Regiment, Maryland National Guard,
asks your assembly for two measures.

1st. To grant it an appropriation of thirty thousand
dollars, and

2nd. To pass a joint resolution for the State to ac-
cept from the proper authorities of Baltimore city, a
deed for the property which the regiment now occu-
pies,

We think these two objects very meritorious.

In regard to the first, as far back as 1856, the Mayor
and City Council of Baltimore city, acquired the prop-
erty now occupied by the regiment, and used it for a
number of years for a Female High School until its
condition became such as to render it unsafe for this
use, it was then condemned. The Fourth Regiment,
Maryland National Guard took possession of it, and
by the assistance of your assembly and Baltimore
city, with past appropriations, converted it into an
armory. But in this conversion from a condemned
building into an armory as it now stands, the expense
was considerable larger than was anticipated at the
time. As the work progressed difficulties were en-
countered that were not anticipated at the time.

The plans and specifications were submitted. Plans
had to be changed and alterations made so that the
cost of construction and remodeling the building was
materially increased.

All of the appropriations granted by your Assembly
and Baltimore city in the past were consumed and
there now remains au unpaid indebtedness on the
building amounting to thirty thousand dollars.

The creditors are becoming more restless and press-
ing in their claims. For some time past, it has been
through their sufferance, that the regiment has been
permitted to remain in possession of its armory. Some

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