ment in common use for such a purpose. The language of the clause is as follows:

"No scrip, certificate or other evidence of State indebtedness shall be issued, except for the redemption of stock previously issued, or for such debts as are expressly authorized by this Constitution."

I do not think this clause applies. The indebtedness contemplated by the Executive is not, as it seems to me, a State indebtedness in the sense of the Constitution; that is, it is not an indebtedness for which the State is responsible as a party in interest, contracting on its own account and for its own benefit, as a principal; but simply indebtedness as trustee in giving full effect to a trust which it has assumed, upon the request of the United States, for their benefit and for that of the public at large.

I am of opinion that for the purpose of repairing, preserving and operating the canal, it is competent for the Legislature, notwithstanding the 7th and 9th sections of article 14th, to borrow money and to issue bonds therefor; but recommend that the bonds should, upon their face, import that they are given for the above purpose; that they should expressly pledge for their redemption the net proceeds of the tolls of the canal, and contain the guaranty of the State that they shall be paid according to their tenor. I have the honor to be, &c.,

J. M. HOWARD,

Attorney General.

1859.

No. 19.

[ No. 19.]]

REPORT of the Committee on State Affairs, relative to a License Law.

The committee on State Affairs, to whom has been referred sundry petitions and memorials asking that a constitutional amendment be submitted to the people, which shall provide for the enactment of a stringent License Law, having had the same under consideration, Report: That it is claimed by the memorialists on this subject that the present "prohibitory law," so called, has utterly failed in its intended purpose of regulating the traffic in intoxicating drinks, and that in very numerous instances it has been, and still is, the source of discord and litigation. For these reasons the memorialists urge that inasmuch as the traffic in ardent spirits is a source of immense taxation to the people, the question whether such traffic shall be taxed in a corresponding ratio, and, by the provisions of a just law be brought within the control of the public authorities, ought to be submitted to the people for their action thereon.

Whatever difference of opinion may exist in the minds