Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-07-11
The Other Side.

.
of the 4th very small communication under
the title Of Salaries Of our County O6icers,"
signed "Junius, which would be undeserv-
ing of notice or comment except for some very
grave errors which appear in it, and which in
Justice and propriety should not remain I'M
corrected "Junins" in the FIRST place makes
a very bold and insulting damand which he
chooses to put in the shape of respectful
request" land says that is II reasonable one,
that the Clerk of the Court, Register Of Wills,
the States Attorney, and Clerk to the County
Commissioners should make statement
through the columns Of the Sentinel Of the
law in reference 10 their respective offices and
the salaries received by each of them
Now, it is the duty Of every citizen, who is
unacquain,cd with the law, TO find il out for
himself when he wants to know il, and that
too at his own expense. Especially such citi-
zcns as "Junius,' who places himself in the
high position OF Supreme Tribunal Of the
County to overlook the supposed faults of its
officers, and now brings these grave charges
against the honor, integrity aud public virtue
of these gentlemen, when he appears utterly
ignorant OF both the laws and facts connected
with their respective offices.
These charges he actually brings That they
have not acted in accordance with the law !;
that they now receive larger salaries than the
fore, unworthy the positions which they &C.
cupy, ard Of the future confidence of-the peo-
Pile. Every citizen who took notice OF his ar
tcle will agree with me that his language &C.
tually conveys these charges. The gentleman
being igno rant of both the law and facts, then
wherein lays his power and authority to prove
said charges And it should DO observed that
1t must be and is presumed ny every one that
these gentlemen have acted honestly, efficient
ly and lawfully 10 every respect until the coh-
trary be shown-by "Junius;' and that ac-
cordingly they have received no larger salaries
than the law provides for them and further
that the justice of law gave them no moro
than an equivalent to the life and labor OK
pended by them in the service Of the people.
must quote some Of the gentleman's own
words 10 show that am correct in my inter-
probation: 'As il has not pleased these officers
to let il be known how much OF the peoples
taxes they are annually receiving, ace must, OF
course, come TO the conclusion that their sala-
ries and fees are larger than they care to let
the people know" Then, because these gen.
temen took no notice of his ("Junius' ~ cool
impudence, every honest-mindcd citizen OF the
county must,of course, come to the same con-
clusion that he did May we, the people, in
justice DO permitted to inquire Of ''Junius"
what warranted his conclusions2 The law
pTONlucS tuhl lIle56 OluCcIS udhC tC-
ports of their receipts and expenditures, which
has been done in due form of law, and the re-
port published Ample laws have been pro-
vided from time TO time for the regulation of
these offices, which are also published. This
is sufficient public statement to satisfy the
mind o! any sensible man in the county
Now, "Junius," if this does not satisfy your
divine patriotism, compare these reports with
the laws relating to them and collect your ovi-
dence for the support Of your cry OF fraud and
corruption, or else keep your peace henceforth
and forever and never again tamper with
subject with which you have no acquaintance.
For your ignorance Of facts will not excuse
you. Observe, "Junius," favor reform as
much as you or any other citizen that ever
lived, and have q just regard for the peoples
money-to be used for the common good, but
If you will examine the government in this
county, you will find the true cause OF high
taxation hidden in a faulty and cxtravagant
system and not to be the result, as you sup
pose, OF any fraudulent acts Of its officers.
have no desire to enter into any contro-
versy, but must state to 'Junius" that his
article well deserved the supreme contempt
with which it was treated by the gentlemen to
whom il was addressed. ] would also mon
ton that his experience ought to have taught
him, if not his common sense, that when he
assails the public as well at the private charac-
ter of gentlemen of high honor and OF long
standing in the confidence of the people he
should and must be prepared to prove his ac-
cusations, or he lays himself open to public
condemnation.
In these days of Investigating committees"
we must not grow too patriotic over his poor,
lean conclusions of fraud unless the premises
upon which his conclusions are based are
formed of something more substantial than
mere vanity of his own mind. would say
in conclusion that before we proceed with the
folly of his political wisdom to Stay orr Coun-
ty officers, without even the sweetness OF mer-
cy, he would do well to turn and consider
some of the vanities nnder the sun, and see
if he is not living beneath the shadow Of
those vanities. He might correct himself
without fur her correction from mo, for it is
indeed painful TO see him wandering about the
political stage in shadows, so utterly reckless
and regardless of truth and right. JUSTICE.
0LNEY, July g. 1878.