Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-08-23
Reply to Mr.. fancy.

in my reach, and confirms every word have
said about increased taxation in this county
II enables me to fix the time, date and respon-
sibility for that increase with more certainty
than | could possibly have done without it.
What was my charge? That from tax-bills
in my possession it was shown that our coun-
~ taxation had increased over $50 per cent.
in twenty-five years, or at the rate OF ten per
cent. per annum. Mr.. fancy does not deny
this, but his figures prove and establish the
correctness Of my statement Mr.. fancy says
"ThiS increase was gradual from SO to the
close of the war, and the rapid and sudden in
crease Immediately after which is easily &C
counted for" If my recollection IS not at fault
it was about this period that the famous "a O0O,-
900 Bounty Bill was passed, which Mr. fancy
now informs us for our comfort will absorb all
the surplus obtained from the tax received OF
the B. & o. railroad, therefore no relief to the
TAXPAYER from this new source OF revenue,
now for the first time realized. Mr. t. goes on
To speak of the school tax and our increased
court expenses with which he says the tax
payers are familiar, and IL is unnecessary for
| him to say much. "Thereby hangs tale"
| The excuse for all this is that the law has es-
tablished fees for all State and county officers
| He might as well also have added salaries
lie does not say, what | have no doubt his
ready access to the laws aud scale of fees
would enable him 20 say, that at about the
same time the Bounty bill was passed nearly
all these fees, per dems and salaries were
largely increased, and in some instances
doubled. 7 have elsewhere, as well as from
Mr.. fancy, heard this same excuse-that the
Legislature has done il F; il is the law and that
our Commissioners and officers have no dis
cretion in the matter. Legislation, like the
leaves of the forest, does not come unbidden
or unmasked.
Tka ;nf fspy mn ct tim fhan hark---
who asked this increase of fees and salaries and
through whose influence was it obtained Our
delegates of late years, although many of them
excellent and worthy gentlemen, have not
been distinguished for aptitude at drawing
bills and draughting laws. To make them
clear, effectual and binding on the people was
doubtless the work of an adept, interested in
and familiar with the subject. Who was he
or how many combined That is the vital
question which some of the people would like
to have answered, but which Mr. fancy dis
misses as one with which the taxpayers are
too familiar to make it necessary for him 10
say more on the subject But | am attacking
the County Commissioners as though ] were
making a personal attack upon these gentle
men. Now, this is about the weakest reply that
could be made to my statement of facts. 1t is
a confession of weakness | again utterly
disclaim any such object. | should be un-
worthy place in your columns If | allowed
myself to be governed by such motives. For
these gentlemen, as well as for Mr.. fancy, ]
entertain nothing but the kindest feelings and
respectful consideration. | am dealing with
facts and figures, and when see from these |
that the very life blood OF my brother farmers
and brother Taxpayers is being drawn from
them, my duty 10 the subject obliges me TO
speak and speak plainly
In my second article said that those gentle |
men were unfortunately in rut. Had then |
have seen Mr.. Taney's article | would more |
properly have said that they were in ring, |
welded by skilfnl hands, that they were I'M
able to extricate themselves from its iron grasp.
| had spread this increase of taxes ever a
wider space of time-25 years-Mr. fancy
shows the sudden and rapid increase to date
rom half that period of time. The people are
thus much better able 10 fix the responsibility |
for this alarming" increase.
Are we in apathy and indifference to fold |
our arms In silence and without conjunction |
TO witness the distress around us2 Do not the |
sheriff and trustee sales which weekly fill your |
columns give no evidence Of the depth of that |
distress2 And does not the amount which |
your report shows we are paying for the sup |
port of paupers, tramps and criminals speak |
TO you in trumpet tones Of the degradation to |
which that distress has brought many2 And |
yet ! am told must not speak. 1t is unjust |
and will reflect upon the Commissioners. Thew |
are acting under law, &c. Away with such |
weak and aimsey excuse. II is like the school |
boys plea,
81 couldn't help it, daddy made me.'
Is there no remedy? | answer there is |
remedy and speedy and effectual one if you
have any feeling for the distress that is now
rapidly overwhelming our people. ! quote
al1 .f Dnhn G
Fauquier county, Virginia, TO the farmers Of
Virginia in speaking of the financial oppres.
sion in that State, he concludes with the fol-
lowing remedy, "The Government State and
National, to abolish half their offices and to
reduce the salaries of those left" adopt and
endorse this suggestion fully aud applying it
to this county will say: Reduce your fees
per diems and salaries, (Which were so sud.
denly increased, as Mr.. fancy says, to what
they were before the war; and place them
upon scale npproximatng to the low prices
of the production of the farm and the reduced
wages of labor. Stop making 80 many pri-
waite roads at public expense, discretion
clearly within the power OF the Commits
sioners.
The code gives to the Commissioners almost
legislative power and very large discretion
power not to be used. partially or oppres-
svely, but with wise Judgment and due con-
sderation for the protection and welfare of
the whole county.
Lets teach ourselves that honorable stop,
And not outsport discretion"
| says the poet. A caution as worthy of con-
| sideration by the politician as in every day
life. Economy has become not choice, but a
necessity, forced by low prices, high taxes,
high fees and high salaries, upon the farmer
and the laboring man.
They are entitled to the sympathy and as
sistance OF every class of the community, es-
pecially the saaried officer, and those who
live on public fees. In their behalf, as well as
| my own, | write. Aud from letters of con.
graduation received, as well as from personal
intercourse, thanking me for bringing the
subject before the public, | am satisfied that
am as well known by my initials, as by nv
full aame, therefore again subscribe myself
Most respectfully,
Your 0bediant servant,
A. b. d.