VI

session of the Legislature, the repeal taking effect on the 10th
of March.                                                               

No provision was made for the redemption of Stamps remain-
ing in the hands of holders at the time the law went into
operation. In several instances, this Department was reques-
ted to return the amount of these Duties, but, in the absence of
any specific appropriation, under the 20th section of the 3rd
Article of the Constitution, the Comptroller was constrained to
refuse.

The Legislature, at its next session, will doubtless afford the
necessary relief.

Statement No. 6, will exhibit the amount of money re-
ceived for Stamp Duties, from the 30th of September, 1855,
to the repeal of the law, which appears to have been $40,-
453.02, of which sum $21,864.12 was paid by the Commis-
sioner of Stamps, and $18,588.90 by the Clerks of the several
Courts.

REVENUE FROM CLERKS OF COURTS, &c.

Statement No. 7, also shows the receipts into the Trea-
sury from the sales of Licenses, Taxes on Plaintiffs, on Com-
missions of Trustees and Receivers, Excess of Officers' Fees,
&c.

The entire amount received from these sources during the
fiscal year was $295,629.78, an increase of $32,276.08, over
the aggregate receipts, on these accounts, in the preceding fiscal
year.

It will be observed that this increase is derived principally
from Licenses issued to Ordinary Keepers and Traders, under the
"New License Act." This law passed by the Legislature at
their recent session, contains an admirable provision by which the
oath of the applicant is made the guide of the Clerk in granting
the License.

In some respects, however, the Act is defective: there is no
penalty attached to its violation, unless the penalties of former
laws apply, and they will be found inadequate; some portions of
it are also inconsistent with others, and this has occasioned much
difficulty in its execution.

The attention of the next Legislature will be called to this
subject, and the recommendation of my predecessor renewed,
for the passage of a general law embracing the whole License
system. Such a law, extending to many new branches of