The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-07-05
SoIlii
"MORE TOWN TALK"

Communicated.
"MORE TOWN TALK"
The following communication, which
we were compelled to curtail somewhat for
want of space, is well considered and
couched in temperate language. 1t is hop
ing against hope for town to prosper,
which is regarded as legitimate subject
of prey by them who happen to he placed
in authority. We trust the present Board
will avoid the abuse of former Boards,
which have done so much by taxation and
bad management to reduce the value of
real estate and kill up all kinds of business
within corporation limits.
The affairs of the Town are not only
badly managed, but with an air and man
ner which it is very light speaking, to call
offensive and presumptuous.
The persons who are and have been in
power (for the writer does not aim at indi-
viduals) imagine and have imagined them
selves, invested with authority possessed
only by the Legislature; act like masters,
not like servants, and think only in what
way the largest assessments and most oner
GUS taxation can be imposed.
This extracting Of money from the pock-
cts Of others contrary to law and against
their will, and the expanding it with prod
igality, they call public spirit.
Inquiry is resented as affront.
The town rulers are not aware that tax
payers is not an anonym, and if it were,
that the right exists to call through the
public press for accounts, and that they
are to render it with prompt civility.
The writer has heard wise citizen de-
clare that all villages desired to be incor
porated into towns, and when their desire
was gratified, had ever after, abundant
cause for reflection and regret.
In truth, the repeal of the town charter
of Elkton would be propitious event.
The abuses existing are intolerablc, and
are beyond remedy, except by taking away
the cause.
There are many intriguing and willy cit
liens, who seek to use the public expendi-
ture for their private benefit, under the
pretense of public spirit, and the securing
of public ends.
The persons who are elected, are select
ed beforehand, by a bailiff to whose sup
port they are pledged; and this bailif' has
often had in view only the largest expendi-
ture, the least work, and the suppression,
or at least the confusion of accounts and
vouchers.
There have been a few, and but a few
exceptions to these remarks about bailiffs
and their servants, the Commissioners.
The money of the people, which the
town rulers look upon as their own, is i'm
providently wasted; the sums expended are
for what it would be sarcasm to call work,
done in a way to which no private employ
err would submit.
There are many abuses; space only per-
mts the recital of few.
The Town rulers have accepted as assets
an account of nearly $400 from previous
board, and without examination and with
out an attempt at collection. have passed
it as charge upon their successors, al
though MIR. Denny says the money has
been paid. Suc& action is contrary to all
true principle, to the proper keeping and
rendering of accounts, and is calculated to
lead to gross abuses.
All explanation with regard to these
$500 has been CURLY refused or evaded.
The Town rulers forgetting that their
powers are strictly limited, have assidu-
ously sought to impose a rate Of onerous
taxation not laid down in the acts of incor-
poraton, and to which, for that reason,
is forbidden
They have made an assessment in viola
assessment.
Though six lines of print would explain
the main terms of account-these six lines
have not been printed, and one hundred
dollars have been publicly demanded, as
the price of an exhibit.
The citizens of the town believe that the
only aoork to be shown for an exhibition of
assests of more than So, 900 is the repair to
a culvert in Bow street.
The Town rulers have directly disre-
garded the provisions of the law with re-
spect to the repair of engines; expanding
the money required for the purpose in friv-
olous and wasteful ways with view to
make citizens believe that increased taxa
tion is necessary for public safety.
When to the burdens imposed upon them
by direct and indirect taxation by the gen.
eral, the State, and the county govern
ments, is added the onerous tax imposed
by the town, half of which is unnecessary,
citizens can readily understand why it is
so difficult to live with comfort.
But remonstrance and expostulation are
in vain with a body of men who think
their tax-laying power co,sxtsnsive with
that of the Legislature, and effect con-
struction of the organic acts, so lax, that
ner, for the last weeks paper, seems to
think that the building of car shops and
universities is within the corporate power.
If this be not his meaning, what logical
connection is there between IN asserted
lack of private enterprise, and the sup
pressed accounts and onerous taxation of
this municipality.
Is there no remedy?
Yes, abolish these people, or at least see
that the Legislature at the coming session
limit their taxing power to 20 or 25 cents
ON the hundred dollars as a maximum
This will raise an abundant amount for all
purposes, if that amount be prudently
expended, if a due return Of work and
labor be exacted for it, and if the system of
squandering, of waste, and neglect of duty
be ended, with all the schemes for depict
ing the town treasury forindividual benefit
LAMP LIGHTER.
The Career Of Great Remedy.
Twenty summers have easped since it briefly