The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-10-23
To the Citizens and Taxpayers
OF CECIL COUNTY.

cessors, and believing such statement to
be demanded by public sentiment, respect
tnlly submit, in addition to the 50 Analysis of
the Levy List for 1882 recently Published,
the following Reports which is rendered the
more necessary at the present time, when,
owing to the monetary difficulties OF the
times and the consequent depression in BUSH
hess affairs. the present nigh rate OF taxation
is peculiarly burdenSome.
GA entering upon the duties Of our Office
in December. last, we saw the necessity, in
view OF the then existing and wide spread
financial crisis. Tor the exercise of rigid
economy in the administration Of the busi-
ness OF the county, and in pursuance Of the
determination then formed, TO grant only
such applications for special appropriations
as were imperativcly demanded, We have
been compelled to reject, for the present, Il
number Of applications in favor OF objects
which, Il! another time and under other aud
more favorable circumstances. financially.
would have been entitled to different dis
position. Keeping in view the above men
toned determination. we succeeded, not
withstandisg an unusual and pressing demand
FOR special appropriations for rolds and
bridges, in various localities, in reducing
the levy for such items to three Thousand
eight hundred dollars (S3 800 less than the
NV erage amount for the same items levied in
1876 and 1857. Had we granted all the APP
plicdtions OF this character made, it would
have required the levy Of Us large sum Tor
these purposes us was made in 1856, (Which
was six thousand dollars more than is levied
the present Year,, aid would have made the
rate of county tax 80, instead Of 81 cents in
the S10O.
Our convictions Of the necessity for re-
trcnchment, however, could only be Of ser
vice in influencing our action with regard to
those items of the Levy over which we have
control. The expenses Of the Circnit Court
| expenses incident to Courts and Criminal
Prosecutions, expenses of Elections, Or
| rhans' Court, lnquisitlons, &c, &c, the
fees and allowances for all which are fixed
by law, were beyond the reach Of such in
| fiucnccs. These expenses we have but to
! provide for according to the face Of the
returns sent us.
1t will be seen BY Il comparison OF the
90 Statements of the Lovy' for 1856 and
| 1857, with the " Analysis of the Levy .
for 1893, that the levy of the present year
| for the first three items named above. OK
cecds that OF 1891 by the sum Of S5,025 CO.
and that of 1856 by the sum of 81, 7GG 90 !;
| thus making an average excess for 1858 over
the two previous years of So, 800. in these
three items alone. This average would he
larger We're the basis of comparison enlarged
The expenses referred to being heavier than
usual in 1885,.
In addition to this unusual sum. and alike
| beyond on" control, there is included in the
Levy the appraised valuation OF Il slave.
convicted in the Circuit Court and sentenced
| to Imprisonment in the Pentcntitry. VIZ
$500. This levy is prescribed by Act of
Assembly, Which places the matter entirely
beyond the control OF County Commissioners
l lie amount stated in the " Analysis. =
under The mead of" Expenses for Ronds and
Bridges incurred prior to 1858 and nOw pro-
vlded for" is composed Of items equally
remote from our control. Some OF the
accounts for work Oh roads we had occasion
to examine and pass upon, but the work done
having been ordered either by our prcdrccs-
| SorS, or the Road Supervisors Of the county
| principally by the latte), we had no choice
but to provide for the payment Of Them.
Tie balances due on bridge contracts.
and to pay Road Supervisors Of 1857, both
included under the same head in the
! Analysis with the items referred to above
were OF similar character. Fnling them to
DC due on our coming into Office, and having
| no doubt the county had received AN equva.
lent under the careful contracts and Jealous
| supervision of our predecessors, W. had but
to provide for their payment. These items
amount, as pc. the Analysis. to So So.
o. the amounts levied under the head Of
g Expenses for New Roads, $3.50. as da-
images Tor land and fencing, was ordered for
levy by-our predecessors, and $500 Tor open
| ing roads located before we came into office.
was rendered necessary to be- provided for
by u.s. These items, amounting to 81 $50,
we are in no wise responsible for.
There is, therefore, included in this years
levy the following sums that are either en-
tlrely unusual or in regard to the levy Of
which we could exercise no discretion, viz :
The average excess orrXpcr Scs
OF Clrcuii Innrt nYnnnanS in