170               JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS           [Jan. 31,

Magistrates to all cases of assault and battery, hitherto given to

Magistrates Courts,

Which was referred to the Washington county delegation.

Mr. Miller presented the petition of Jos. Philips and 42 others,
to build a wharf on Elk river, in Elkneck, Cecil county.

Which was referred to Cecil county delegation.

Also a memorial of ninety citizens of the first election district
of Cecil county, asking the repeal of the act of 1853 taxing dogs
in said county, or the exemption of said district from the opera-
tions of said law or any other law that may be passed on the same
subject.

Which was referred to the Cecil county delegation.

Mr. Jarrett presented a petition from sundry citizen's of Har-
ford county for the registration of births, marriages, and deaths;

Which was referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Mr. Stubbs presented a report of the trustees of West Not-
tingham Academy, made in accordance with provisions of the laws
for the year 1855;

Which was referred to the Committee on Education.
Mr. Merrick submitted the following order:

Ordered, That the Comptroller of the Treasury furnish to this
House a statement of the debt due by the State, and at what time
or times the same will become payable; a statement shewing the
amount of the sinking fund and the amount and rate of interest
which it bears; the amount of stock owned by the State in each
of the several companies incorporated within her limits, distin-
guishing between productive and unproductive stocks; the amount
due the State upon bond or mortgage by each of the incorpora-
tions in the State indebted to her; and the amount of money now
in the Treasury;                           

Which was read and adopted.         

Also, submitted the following:

Ordered, That the Clerk of this House be and he is hereby di-
rected to issue a summons at the instance of any two members
of the Select Committee appointed to inquire into the existence,
principles and purposes of any secret political societies in this
State, for such witnesses as they may designate, to appear and
give testimony before said committee, commanding said witnes-
ses to bring with them when required, such books, papers or rec-
ords as may be in their possession or under their control, and be
designated by the members of the committee directing the sum-
mons;