Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1801-11-12

iufhcient to defray fuch county charges
ana he Iaa jgfices BaH a1por7@n Ixek
WsDment or rate aecording totbe hnf cor
!" re67sa paluatiox ofbroperty in their cam
"ty." The Board of CommiGioners thus
bro't into exifence by the act of Congrefs,
met at the proper tire and place, for the pur.
poles tor which they were formed and from
the Maryland law above quoted, having
learned the objects of expence, for which
they were to make provifon, they pro.
ceeded as directed by 'faid law to levy the
fame upon the Taft corrected valuation
OF property in their county," which was
handed to them for that purpofe, by the
ahefors legally appointed by the Circuit
Court tor the county of Alexandria,
Where then ] ak will be found the deyia-
ton from law in this procedurei / agree
with MIR. Lee, that the laws of Maryland
furnifh the rule Of action for the Lew
Court 10 far as the definition of their pow
ers and forms of proceeding; but | con-
tend that the Court has never deviated
from ihofe laws. 1t is not fnficient for
him that the Court lhould lay the levy,
In the manner, at the time, and for the
purpofes therein directed, upon the aHeG-
ment which hall be furnilhed them bur
confounding the powers and duties of the
Levy Court with the powers and duties of
the ahefors, he intentionally requires that
even the Allotment itfelf (hould be made ac-
cording to the Maryland law; in direct
opPoiition to the claule of the act of Con-
greis already quoted.
AS well might Mr.. Lee contend that
the Orphans Court for the county of A.
%lexandria, originating at the fame time
with the Levy Court, and which like it,
is referred to the Maryland law for its
powers ard duties, as well might he con-
tend, that this Court is bound to adopt
the Maryland law with relpeef TO the
proof or Interpretation of wills, and in the
trial OF every other matter which may
come before it, as that the Levy Court
ihould be bound by the laws of Maryland, /.
not only as to the forms and powers ofac-
tion, but alto as TO the objects acted upon.
But, iays MIR. Lee, if the rule is fur
=" nilhed by the laws of Mary land, which
!" is my opinion, then by thele no autho-
9 rity is given to levy a poor tax, but
" from year to year, for the expences of
:" each year." this is furely a Rranee in.
depreciation of the words of the law which
are " that they ihall meet to adult the
I" ordinary and necellary expences of the
" counties, including an allowance for
" the poor of the county,"
If tie Levy Court of Maryland has no
power TO make appropriations except
!" from year to year for the expences of
" each year." how have the poor houfes
OF Maryland been built, or permanent &C
~commodations been provided The tax
was unnecfeary, it is contended, becaule
the amount of fines and forfeitures in the
hands of the marlhall and flour infpeetor
have become very comfortable. What thofe
fines and ferfeitures may really amount to
| know NOT, but for the Levy Court to
have fufeted rte comfort and ever the ex-
iftence OF the poor Of the county, to have
depended upon the uncertain contingencies
OF fines and forfeitures, might have COM
ported with forae mems ideas of prudence
and economy, but would furely have
been in direefthofility to every feeling of
benevolence and humanity. 1t is ar
bitrary," fays Mr.. Lee, becaufe it
" proceeds from the will and pleafure of
{" the board OF commifj oners, being nei-
I" Their agreeable to the laws of Congress,
" OF Virginia, II of Maryland and is
!" founded upon an Allotment palpably un-;
" equal and unjuf. InRances of this in
{" equality need not to be recited." The
irt part of this fentence has I truf been
fully anfwered-If the Allotment is as
he Rates it, I" palpably unequal and un-
juf, intances of that inequality MouM
have been recited. If any fuch there