Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1878-04-27
A Word TO THE New COUNCIL -

A WORD TO THE New COUNCIL -
The incoming municipal administra-
ton has an unusual opportunity to do
something for the town and people.
As public economists they have it in
their province to inaugurate sys-
TEN of collection and expenditure
which will completely cure all our
troubles.
Former councils, under the inspi-
ration of better times and laudab lie
desire for public improvement, have
expended much money to effect this
object. To great extent this was
done to immense advantage. We
have much of beauty and comfort
around us to show for the outlay.
But the town, like its people, has sus-
tanned much detriment from the pres
sure Of hard times. Money has not
of late years flowed into its Golfers,
consequently a small debt has crept
upon US. Taxes that ought to have
been paid were not collected, hence
bills overdue multiplied. During
the past year very many Of these
We're liquidated until it is safe to say
the debt is nothing to disturb us.
So that now, with no great i'm
provements in contemplation, and no
massive machinery to lubricate with
greenbacks, we ought to be able to
glide along nicely. To this end, we
venture few hints, without presump-
ton, to the excellent gentlemen wher.s.
the people have chosen to preside
over us dur;nsS gear hence.
-r- The collection of taxes is the most
important function of their high Off
ces. The assessment of property and
levying Of taxes has been esteemed
the sovereign duty of govern ments.
We do not believe this altogether.
1t is one thing for a merchant to fix a
price upon and sell his goods; it is
another thing to get the money for
them. So with taxes. 1t is easy to
go around and estimate valuations
and aggregate them to obtain the d.
visor; then to find the sum total of pro-
bable expenses for dividend and then
by percentage processes determine
how many cents per hundred dollars
will realize the necessary fund. 1t is
not SO easy to make the collections
upon these bases foot up to the cal
culations. But it ought to be done
every time, and tor several command
ing reasons. The first is, every citi-
zen owes exactly his share-no m.re
no less. The second is, he should be
compelled to pay it, rather than shift
the burden of protecting his life and
property upon other people, for the
ultimate result Of non-payment OF
taxes by one party one year is that
the party who doespay must make up
the deficiency next year. This is
manifestiy unfair.
10 secure all the taxes, then, is to
obtain the greatest good for the great
est number. 1t is, in fact, in itself
equal to large PRODUCTION of taxes.
The officer whose duty it is to carry
out this indispensable part of the
work should, first, be responsible
man with an established reputation
as good collector. There is no &C.
caslon for experiments here; no man
ought to be selected merely because
he needs it, for all aspirants are OF
pressed with want in that line. A
successful tax collector is not neces-
sarily q bulldog, but lie is apt to
possess qualities Of tenacity which
make that animal the awe-inspiring
genius he is. 1t is not Aattering to
say it, but men whose muscle, bones
and faculties, have been developed
from the milk of human kindness,
have never achieved fame as collectors
of taxes. Hence, lie should be d
man Of undoubted courage, efficiency
and experience, in the duties he is to
fill. BY the present law his compen-
sa;ion is based upon his success in
this line, that is to say, he is paid a
commission upon his collections. This
will be strong appeal to the finest
quality of his profession. 1t will fill
promptly a treasury which "quakes
when a dollar drops in the TILL" Ii
will re- establish the true value of the
town paper which should be the best
in the town, instead Of the worst
The cash will always be there to pay
the little bills, instead of forcing the
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