The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-01-17
y Communicated.
THE COUNTY STATEMENT.

THE COUNTY STATEMENT.
During the continuance Of The late war,
from IL inception to It's close, the minds Of
lie people had boon involuntarily called
away from the bostoral Of that Intention due
nitide OF the war then waging, in which
were involved the great principles that an.
derlie the whole fabric Of Republican Coy.
ernment. How the war has termipated, lisa
question any school boy will answer; but
what will DO the practical working of that
result, whether fanalicism hasnot g'iined the
victory and the Union lostits perpetuity, are
questions involved in doubt and uncertainty.
Rui since the contest is no longer 10 the
field but IN the forum. the people to . great
extent have Withdrawn their attention from
National affairs to giyea necessary andwell.
timed inspection Of their local concerns, and
most certainly never dill the Local affairs Of
any County need a more careful examina-
ton than those Of Carroll county d. at this
time. II was therefore with pleasure that
read the recently published article Of ''.rax
Payer which very truthfully represented
the many and unpardonable defects In the
manner Of making ont a statement ofthe ex-
penses of the County and with equal truth.
iulness exhibited some OF the characteristic
traits of the ''public's humble servants. "
But there is another view of the Statement
Of 1866, that cannot f.il to impress itself
upon the mind of any one who will examine
il carefully; u view by no means very fiat
tering to the integrity OF those officers TO
whom are iutrustcd the financial affairs Of
the County. think il may be safely asser
ted that il such a statement had been made
by Commissioners elected by either Of the
great parties that alternately ruled during the
prosperous days of the Republic, they would
have been forced by the indignation OF all
honest men, of what party soever, to haze
retired from office, or have been compelled
by tho stern hand Of the law to have so rem.
dsred their statement, that it might have
been at least Ineligible TO those who under
stand the system Of Book. keepngof Proies.
sor Valentine, which seems TO be one OF
''sweet confusion aud decidedly shady
in regard to items and Aims House Stone. !"
propose in this article 10 state for the ben.
EFT Of the taxpayers of this County, what
the duties of the County Commissioners are
as required by the 9th Section Art. 18th OF
the Code Of Public General Laws, which is
as follows "They (the County Commission.
''ersj shall make out and publish annually
IN ut least two newspapers Published in
''their respective Counties, If there be two, a
''detdiied, minute and accurate statement OF
''the expenses of their said County, specify.
ling therein each particular item OF expen-
'ScS, and for what and to whom paid, and
'shall also deliver to the Sheriff of their res
''pective counties as many copies of such
Statement as there are election districts ia
1.-THE County, Mt least ten days before each
general election, and the Sheriff shall,
''within six days after the receipt Of such
''copics, sit up one OF them at the place OF
''holdng elections in each election district,
''and the Clerk TO the County Commission
''ers and the Sheriff who shall fail toperform
''the dutyimposedby this Section, shall each
forfeit the sum OF one hundred dollars. w.
Now | viii leave Professor Valentine and
Hon. J. d. Hoppe, Sheriff Of Carrollcoun.
ty, to their own ''pious reflections and
consequent determination asto whether they
are not respectively indebted unto Carroll
county or the State Of Maryland in the sum
ofone hundred dollars. II theya are not, then
must confess that when went To exercise
my sacred right (which is an old family
relic, that had been packed away for the
last three or four years. was entirely obliri.
Gus of surroundings, for undoubtedly the
copy of the Statement was not present ON
the 9Th OF November last to witness the or.
ercise of the various sacred right holders
in my district in their efforts to deposit their
ballots. Yet il may be said aud doubtless is,
in ertenua.ion Of the conduct Of Professor
Valentine and Lord High Sheriff Hoppe. that
|ithe last election was not general election,
if 1t was the voting was by no means quite 50
,.nut...,la-i,. Il, M.Uahop,nr Itsst,.,.s
But returning now 10 our immaculate and
non salaried friends'-the inquiry is, have
they done their duty.
The law requires that they shall make out
and publish annually detailed. minute and
accurate statement Of the expenses oftheiI
said counties, specifying therein each partic'
ular item Of expense and for what and 10
whom paid nc. The following is an illus
tration OF their compliance with the law
Amount allowed for the repair Of Public
Roads and small bridges in county for year
s30)0,0),' ayan ''amount allowed for the
erection Of new and repair Of old large
Bridges in connty-S 5000 ,00;" again, 'sun.
dry persons for mats end other articles for
Court House and Jail-Sl2,50." How long
do the County Commissioners suppose the
taxpayers Of this county will submit to this
ifupohtttDu taxed 10 almost inc last eN
tremity Of endurance, these men seem dis.
posed to add to the burden of the people in
refusing to account to them for the manner
in which they disburse or rather dispose OF
their money. How am 10 know whether
these immaculate individuals have not given
out the contracts FOR building bridges &c., to
the advantage Of themselves and not of Car,
roll county, unless theyso render their state.
ment as to make it sppear to the contrary ?
On reconsideration Of the Statement Of
1867 and the enormous expenses Of the
county, which amount TO g.235, ~; OF
which sum. no less than from ten Ito twelve
thousand dollars have beeu consumed in tho
repairing Of the Jail, ! am utterly unable to
raise myself to an appreciation of the char.
table reflections Of Friend Parkeiu his paper
Of 6 December. Bat here | will permit my
immaculate friends" to rest in peace, and
mo farther seek their merits 10 disclose,
Nor draw their frailties from their dread
abode
JusTicg.
Afi Communicate