Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1854-10-12
TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR
CHARLES COUNTY.


GENTLEMEN called your attention in
a former article to the condition of our
Roads, the cos! OF keeping them in bad or
der, and asked you to consider the suhiec,
and apply a remedy to the evil For the
frs. four months Of this year, and including
the salaries of the Supervisors, you have
levied upon the people $4,07S 70. How
much more will be required for the year,
cannot now be estimated. Are we to bear
this state of things patiently? Is there no
means of correcting it except through the
ballot box at the next election? should
be unwilling to see this mode resorted to.
am opposed to frequent changes of those
who administer the law. would prefer to
see the Levy Cour. continued during good
behaviour and when men have informed
themselves as to the laws, and become &C.
eusin.ed wi4h-+l1e rruourccS Of Ire County,
and the best mode Of advancing its interests
and protecting its rights. am opposed to
removing them and of appointing others TO
go over the same course Of education and
pupilage. ] do not believe that lawyer can
be manufactured BY any gavanic or steam
process; nor that financer even for our
county matters can be produced by study
ing Dilworlh's or Pixies arithmetic, or even
the new synthetic system Of Roswell Smith.
| am opposed to frequent changes, although
| profess to entertain proper republican prin-
ciples upon rotation in office. But those
who are appointed to administer the law
should be held 10 strict accountability -
You pay your Supervisors 1915 each.
VIVA. for? How many days service do
they render for this sum? Did you ever
make an estimate? Now it requires no
great skill, nor Silence, nor learning to do
he duties OF Supervisor, and if he devoted
every day in the year, except Sundays, to
his duties, he would receive about ST. II a
day for his services. Are they worth that
sun even if employed in the public service :
How many farmers are there Of far more in
telligence than that required for superinten-
dant Of the roads-and ] do no. intend TO
say that the present Supervisors Of our roads
are no, at least equal to the most in,ellie ent
men in the county,-but how many farm
ers are there who work hard every day, ex.
posed to all weather, and who employ from
ten 10 twenty thousand dollars capitol, who
do not receive for their labor and the labor
Of all their negroes employed as much as
$3.50, after paying for the utensils and their
necessary wear and tear, and the necessary
supplies to carry on theil farms. The pre-
sent officers selected 10 keep the roads in
repair may be men Of distinguished ability.
! am no advocate for inadequate salaries
But am equally opposed to paying public
agents high salaries for doing nothing. or
Tor The honor of his holding the Office
Will not you Commissioners look to this
matter? ] think it probable that the Super
visors do not employ more days in dscharg.
ing their duties than you do, and You re-
ceive $S3 33, and they receive 1875 each.
J venture TO say that either of you employ
more time and render more service to the
county for SS3 33 than they do for 1875.
What do you pay them for ? no, for The SER
vices they render. 1t must be for The credit,
of giving good salaries for neglec,ing their
business. They are literally paid, If thew
rendered The services required by their of.
flee, and they should do their duty faithful.
ly. Our Roads cost too much to be ken,
in such very bad order. The public is
wronged byIt. Gentlemen Commissioners.
tho law gives you the power to control this
evil Ii also gives the power Of indictment,
10 the Grand Jury. hope that you will