Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-01-24
Retrenchment and Reform.

Mr.. Editor The work of retrenchment
and reform progresses. Mayor Latrobe seems
in earnest in reducing the expenses of the city
of Baltimore. A suit has been Instituted
against the County Commissioners of Balti-
more county for levying illegal taxes. tap
pears that no matter which party gets control
OF that county the party managers soon get
control Of the County Commissioners, and
mlsma nagement of the fiscal affairs of the,
county and oppression TO the taxpayers are the
results. The latter have been at last driven
into the courts for redress and protection.
Governor Carroll, in opening his political
campaign in Rockville some four years ago,
promised reform within the party; yet we
find nearly $500, 900 diverted from the school
fund and illegally turned into the State Treas
ury, and,a found and declared by the courts,
legalized and confirmed by the last Legisla-
,ure as necessity for the Treasury, and an
additional loan of $500. eco Authorized, to
meet present and anticipated defciciences. -
Upon an authorized expenditure of $32, 900
for repairs to the State House nearly that
amount was spent for elegant and costly new
furniture, and debt of upwards of $lO6, 900
incurred for the repairs ordered and $25, 900
asked 10 complete them; $3.50, 900 appropri-
atei for the new House of Correction, which
will require $500, 900 TO finish and complete
$l00, 900 for military camp in the City Hall
and around Baltimore to quell riot which
few troops from the United States Arsenal
without bloodshed, quickly dispersed and
subdued several hundred thousand dollars OF
Judgment claims given up to the Baltimore
h Ohio railroad to get rid Of longer contest
with obstinate Mr.. Garrett, who had proved
himself superior 10 State authority in tact and
ability in the management and settlement of a
law suit though the law was against him all
the time. Now this is the result Of political
management and legislation, and don't think
have got to the bottom of the list. Is 1t not
enough, however, to induce to inquire, "Why
am following this ignis-fatuus which has
SO long and still continues to lead me deeper
into the morass? Is it not time to take counsel
of those honest, plain, though, as Mr.. Sey-
mour says, 'unlearned men who are wiser in
local matters than the statesmen at Washing
ton" May it not be added than some OF the
statesmen we send to Annapolis.
The danger is that we shall soon be over
whelmed with the superior claims, ability and
qualifications of Mr.. So-and-So-our next
Governor. | have no doubt that either Mr..
Hamilton, Mr.. Archer, or Ex-Governor Thomas
would equally well make the few appointments
left by the constitution to the Governor /;
either would handsomely preside and entertain
at the Executive Mansion 1.-THE Governor in
our State IS but little more than q figure
head and this, after drawing his salary, Is
about all the people have to do or expect from
him. Let them put these offices, this enter
tainment and this salary by the side of their
tax bills, and see in which they have the deep
est interest-which is Of most consequence TO
them whether Mr.. Hilton or Mr.. Purdum shall
be tobacco Inspector This is about all we shall
get out of the contest for Montgomery county
Three or four thousand taxpayers are the
slakers on the game for one office-hoder. Is
the game worthy the candle? Is the question
for each taxpayer TO answer to himself.
A. B. d,