748 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Mar. 26,

far back as the year 1870, that they almost invariably fall
off in April, May and June, these being the months in which
credits are generally claimed and allowed on account of taxes
levied upon insolvents, non residents &c. With this infor-
mation before me, I could not do otherwise than retain the
"large," nevertheless considerably diminished balance on
hand of $29,025,64 and carry it forward in order to make the
June apportionment as nearly equal as possible with the
previous, apportionments of the year, as required by law.

The above showing, it is respectfully submitted, does not
require any further statement of "the cause or causes of the
large reduction of the March distribution to the Free Schools
of the State," or any further setting forth of "what ar-
rangement has been made, if any, for the payment of the
sum of $306,850.67 belonging to said schools, but withheld
(as alleged) last year as per report of the ex-Comptroller."

All of which is respectfully submitted.

THOS. J. KEATING,

Comptroller.

Which was read, and referred to the Committee on Finance,

The Hon. E. C. Hollyday, Secretary of State, appeared and
delivered a communication from the 'Executive, endorsed
"Executive Business."

Mr. Combs, of Allegany, from a Select Committee, re-
ported favorably the following bills :

House bill entitled an Act to add certain new sections to
the Code of Public Local Laws, entitled "Allegany County,"
sub-title "Flour," and to come after Section 71.

House bill entitled an Act to repeal Sections 193, 194, 195,
196, 197, 198 and 199, of Article 1, of the supplement of 1870,
of the Code of Public Local Laws under the head of Alle-
gany County, relating to birds, and to re-enact the same to
read as follows,

House bill entitled an Act to authorize and empower the
County Commissioners of Allegany county to correct the as-
assessment made under Chapter 260, of the laws of Maryland
of 1876, on the shares of stock of the Cumberland Cast Steel
Manufacturing Company.

Which were read the second time.

Mr. Humphreys, from a Select Committee, reported favor-
ably,