Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-04-05
COMMUNICATED.
KEARNEYsvILI.E,
Anril 2nd. 1879.

April 2nd, 1879.
Mr.. Editor-The '.Free Press Man"
in its last issue, takes umbrage at the
article over the signature Of amen
Its range here lately being somewhat
limited in reference to 'news, it must
have recourse to more substantial jour-
nails in order to fill its otherwise empty
and meaningless columns; and hence the
scurrilous attacks it makes from time TO
time upon the Register or its sorrespon-
dents. Whether this is caused by jeal-
ousy, envy, "sore. headedness, or ''rure
cussedness," am at loss TO say.
Its construction OF "Amens" article
being a false one. and liable to do you,
tn. editor of the Register, injustice, and
also the county officers mentioned, ]
would remark that the object OF
"Amens" letter was TO impress the peo-
pie of this county with the Importance
of publishing annually sworn state
ment Of all county expenditures, so that
the people will know where our money
goes, and if there are any defects in the
financial system Of the county, the tax
PAYERS eau see them and remedy the
same.
There is no doubt that our taxes are
too high. by proper economy with Inc
public money these ta.es could be re-
duced. / can take every pauper at the
aims house and board them at the Car
ter House, furnish them with clothing,
&c, for less than it costs the county as
tits Cumberland county, Pa is worth
fifty times as much as our county, aud
yet they carry on their county affairs at
a tax-rate one half less than ours. This
being true, is there not something "rot-
ten in Denmark 2
Now, this county depends on agricul-
lure for its support. The majority OF
its voters follow the pillow. The land
owner pays the most of the taxes, aud
hence has he not the right to demand
where his money goes, and by publish
ing annually the county expenditures
this demand will be gratitied.
"Amen" did not aim to cast any re-
Election on our county officers. No man
whose public life is clear of fraud, who
has conscientiously performed his duty,
and whose head is level, would take OF
tense at the article. These virtues, l
think, belong to most Of our officials. 1t
is only the man whose conscience is
guilty that feels the force of said letter.
If there are any such, and the ''shoe
pinches," they must wear it. Person
ally | do not know John Marshall, bot
believe him to be an honest and upright
man. am acquainted with Sheriff Ba-
ker and his deputies, aud l believe them
to be gentlemen in every sense OF the
word. They are conscientious. honest
and true men. / voted fer Mr.. Baker,
and would vote for him again did the
opportunity present itself.
My letter directed lis Gin at no one
in particular, but if stray shot did ac-
cidcutally strike any one they must be
content 10 nurse the wound. II some
body would hit that "Free Press Man
with Il grindstoue or cannon ball, per.
haps he would keep that big mouth Of
his "shut."
BY referring to my letter you vii!
notice that accuse no one; | simply
ask few queslious-I was seeking in
formation. Had the county affairs been
published it would never have been
written. l saw few weeks ago the
Frederick City Examiner, and in it was
statement Of all the expenditures OF
Frederick county, Nd. l showed it to
several of our citizens and their Ian
guage was, "That is what our county
should do, and this suggested "Amen's"
article.
Now any intelligent man can see that
our roads are not properly managed !;
that the work performed on them is not
in proportion to the taxes paid Tor the
same. What becomes of this money,
and how is it handled. AS a remedy
for this evil respectfully offer the fol-
lowing:
Let the County Court annually offer
the separate roads in contract 10 the
lowest bidder. Let them appoint su-
peryisor or inspector, with no pay, to
inspect the same, and when the contract
is filled give an order on the Sheriff for
the money. The contract TO continue
for one year, and the road to be kept in
repair for that year. Goodbye.
AMEN.