Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-07-26
"a. B. D." Explains.

Mr.. Editor IL am glad to find that my ar
ticle upon increased county taxation hes at
tracted your attention, however much may
regret not TO have the aid of your pen in advo-
cacy of the economy seek. 10 this instance ]
wish nothing better than your editorIo I'M
der the head "a Crediiable Vote,' wherein
you so clearly and forcibly show the injustice
Of the unequal taxation beaped upon the farm
ers around Frederick city without any cores
ponding advantage 10 the suburbs. This is ex-
actly the position taken by me 10 the article
referred to, but perhaps not so well stated and
fully justifes and vindicates my course. In
just and unequal taxation was one of the al.
legged grievances which led TO our late civil
war Confscation and reputation are among
the sad realities which have followed in its
train.
/ beg to say ] made no attack upon the
present Board Of County Commissioners. The
fact stated THAT this increase OF county tax
had been going on long before the present levy
for the Jail or almshouse was thought Of, !"
was or ought to have been understood as q
sufficient disclaimer on that point. | am rleas-
ed to be able to say that believe the present
Board of Commissioners are animated by a
sincere desire for economy and a reduction OF
the county tax; but unfortunately they found
themselves In rut too deep easily to be got
out Of. You say that give no credit for i'm
provements 10 the county since "a. This is
the very point made. ! stated that the ;aA-
payers naturally ask, for what2 and what
county expenses repeat the question. Let
me show the magnitude Of this increase.
Assuming the county assessment to be &c.
600, 900, Il believe am under rather than
over the true sunny the average additional levy
for twenty-five years over and above what was
there found to be sufficient was $l8, 900 per
'annum, aggregating for that period the large
sum of $472, 500, sum sufficient to build
twenty such Jails and Aims Houses as we have
and the projected new Court House in the bar
gain, or what would have been far better to
have made from hundred and twenty 10 a
hundred and fifty miles Of good turnpike roads,
Thus like the Brookeville and Washington
pixies have given employment to labor, relief
to the taxpayer and better highway to ACCOM-
mediation to the public. Whether this view
be broad or narrow il has certainly saved,
In the instance here given, the county annual
ly very considerable sum, and given to the
public at all seasons safe and sound thor
onghfare.
II is most fortunate for me that should by
accident have stumbled upon the years $50
and 81 as the starting point from which TO
compare our present county levy. We were
just then testing the economy and efficiency of
the one judge system, provided for by .he re-
form convention of 1851. That levy of twen-
ty-fve cents was sufficient to meet all the ex.
penses OF the county under that system is an
argument in its favor which will defy the
power of sophistry to gainsay or refute, aud
its efficiency have never heard called in ques-
ton. The period embrace also covers the
management of both political parties: it can
h. x,nl. ...o1 49,
a partizan or in the interest Of either party
doubt not both parties ATE responsible for
the evil that is upon US. II my voice could
prevail 1t would be to sever the expenses and
finances Of the county from party influence and
control. This in my judgment would so far
to lessen the evils and be an important step
towards wholesome and lasting reform. Until
better plan can be suggested, i subscribe my
self yours &c, A. b. d.