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EXCESS, OF FEES UNDER THE FIRST SECTION OF

THE 10TH ARTICLE OF THE CONSTITUTION,

AND THE ACT OF 1853, CHAPTER 444.

The amount of receipts on this account, for the fiscal year
ended 30th September 1856, STATEMENT No. 7 shows to have
been $6,019.61, being a decrease of $2,373.19 compared with
the receipts in 1855.

Of the sum received, the Clerk of the Circuit Court for
Frederick County paid $563.40; and the Register of Wills
of the same County paid $14.10.

There was also received, on this account, from the late
State's Attorney for Baltimore City, $1,392.94; from the
late Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, $2,609.09; and
from the Clerk of the Criminal Court of Baltimore City,
$1200.

By referring to STATEMENT No. 7, it will be seen that four
of the Inspectors of Flour paid, on this account, $60.02 each.
The sum of $400, being the amount of tax paid for their
commissions, was included in the list of their office expenses,
and withheld from the State.

The Comptroller, believing this to be contrary to the pro-
vision of the Constitution, under which they reported to this
Department, received the $60.02 as so much on account, re-
turned their report for correction, and demanded payment
from each of the sum of $400, the balance held to be due.
This demand has been refused, and suits will be ordered upon
their official bonds.

The remaining Inspector having failed to pay anything,
suit will be instituted upon his bond for the whole amount
claimed to be due from him.

To prevent future difficulties arising under the 10th Art.
of the Constitution, a general law should be enacted similar
to that passed in 1853, in relation to the emoluments of Clerks
of Courts and Registers of Wills. The passage of such a law
would unquestionably increase the receipts from this branch
of revenue.