Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-05-01

ton of the courtesy and consideration OF
his friend from Berry's. be just as defer
entail, yielding and dependant upon the
representation and wishes of his friend
from Berry's, and 50 on all around the
Eve districts Of the county. Practically,
then, Instead of the judgment, action
and decision Of FIVE commissioners upon
these interesting and important local
questions. we, in fact and effect. have but
the will, Judgment and decision of one
single man.
For these questions tho per diem and
mileage Of four commissioners might just
as well be saved to the county, by allow
ing each commissioner, upon these pure
| ly local questions, to hold his court at
home and in his own district, near to the
people mostly interested, where without
expense or Inconvenience they can pre-
sent their wishes, advice or remonstrance
as the case may be. and where such adj
vice and remonstrance could be made to
be felt and respected or, what is far
better, as in each of the eases to which [
have referred, namely. England, Ireland
and Massachusetts, appoint or elect local
boards Of twelve men in each district,
| (the number chosen both in England and
lreland) to direct, manage and control
these local questions. Let the cxperi-
ment for trial be made first with the
public roads, as the law authorizes, in
each Of the election districts, to whom
shall be RENTED the entire management,
control, supervision and repair Of the
public roads in each district. The cx-
pense to be charged upon the particular
district taken charge Of by said boards of
local road managers. This will then cs-
sentially be the much-coveted and talk
ed-of local self-government.
! The people run no risk in making this
experiment. II my suggestion could pre-
vail, it would be that these local boards
serve the first year, at least, without
compensation. Even if paid the usual
per diem, their cost, meeting but twice
in each.year, (Which elsewhere has been
found quite often enough) would be moth
ing compared with the cost every year
of Examiners (whose place the board
would take) to view, open and alter
roads, build bridges, &c, and that the
public roads would be better and more
economically repaired, it would be to re-
verse the great moving lever Of human
action, viz: a self-intercst we cannot for
moment doubt.
A very large sum is now annually e-
wed for the opening and repair Of public
roads. A strong sentiment prevails that
under our present system much Of this
money is causclessly spent, if not actu-
ally wasted. BY the great body of the
people four-fftlls of the roads upon which
this money is used are never seen, nor
have they the smallest interest in them
Yet under the present plan they are tax
ed and have to pay for them. The plan
under consideration is to relieve the poo
pie from paying for what they never see.
use, or have any interest in and to give
them the option of paying or not, for
what they daily see. use, and have d.
rect personal interest H. The appoint
inent Of twelve men Gas practised in tho
instances to which | have referred) gives
every neighborbood, and every section
Of neighborhood, an opportunity to be
represented and the advantage Of the
collected wisdom Of twelve mon (upon u
subject so personally interesting to ally
cannot be doubted, or over-estimated.
AS this law has been passed since the
election Of the present Board Of County
| Commissioners and, Of course. elected
without reference to its administration,
they doubtless would be glad and like to
know tho sentiments Of their constituents
upon it. TO that end, respectfully
suggest that the people of the county be
requested to assemble at Rockville, on
Tuesday, the 18th of May, to take said
law into consideration. aud by petition
or resolution to bring the same to tho
attention Of the Honorable the Board Of
County Commissioners.
Very respectfully,
A. y. DAVIS.
! GreeurooJ thrill 1874