The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-06-05

comes so apparent as TO be disgusting to all
fair-minded citizens. Had Mr.. Shower been
elected instead Of Mr. Fringer we assert with
out tho least shadow Of doubt resting on
our minds, that no such economies would
have been practiced on him. When we con.
slider the large sums paid by the county to
Dit. FINGERS predecessors, and notably to
Mr.. Woods at time when the price Of every
commodity was at its lowest ebb, the unfair
ness Of this action Of the commissioners be-
comes more apparent. Were Mr.. Fringer a
rich man il would not matter much, but as is
well known, he is poor man, and to deprive
him OF any OF the fees customarily appertain.
ing to his office is manifestly unjust. When
Mr.. Fringer accepted the nomination for
Sheriff, the tees belonging to his office were
well known and he is clearly entitled 10 receive
them as they were at that time. IL reductions
are desirable they should be made before an
election, so that the candidates, irrespective
Of party, may know what they are to receive.
This would be fair and just TO all concerned
but to reduce the fees of an Office shortly
after the election Of the incumbent and espe-
elally for the board of prisoners who are so
few in number and at time when provisions
are higher than they were under his prede.
cessor, is so manitestly opposed to equity and
justice as to DO outside the pale Of argument.
The above is from last weeks Sentinel.
1t is incorrect in statement, and endeavors
to cast reproach upon the honorable board
of County Commissioners by impuguing
their motives 10 cutting down county ex-
penses.
The Democratic platform last year
promised a eurtaiiment of expenditures
consistent with efficient service, and the
Republican platform charged the Demo
cratic party with extravaganza and pledged
itself to economy aud reduction of the
fees Of county officers. The Republican
speakers and the SentiHei were cOntinu-
Ously during the campaign calling for re-
form aud retrenchment, and now when it
comes the cry of persecution is raised.
We believed then, and We believe now,
that the Republican uproar about economy
in county expenses was all for buneombe.
1t was gotten up to mislead and humbug
the people into voting them into power.
The Offices, with their cmolaments, are
what they waited, as the article in the
Seatisei clearly indicates, Had they OBJ
tanned power their sympathy for the OPP
pressed taxpayers would speedily have
vanished. Taxes would have been as lib.
erally collected aud extravogautly expend-
ed as when they controlled affairs some
thirteen years ago.
The present board Of County Commits
siouers were elected upon platform prom
ising economical administration Of county
affairs, aud they have set to work to re-
deem the pledge Of the party to the peo-
pie. Sheriff Fringer was not the first to
experience a reduction Of fees, nor is he
the only one, The last bill Of Sheriff
Woods was cut down nearly one hundred
dollars, or to be exact, s9l "A; and the |
fees not allowed had been paid to sheriffs
for number of years. The Democratic I
party did not complain Of the reduction,
and the fees were as clearly due him as
the former fees are due to Sheriff Fringer. |
Sheriff Woods bill was made out in the !
usual manner aud contained the custom
AIRY charges allowed other sherifs. His
charges for one prisoner, exclusive Of
board and washing, were sll.3l, and the
Commissioners reduced them to s5.77.
Former boards have allowed fees which !
should not have been passed. but accord /
ing To the ScHfiaei's reasoning Sheriff |
Woods should have received what was
customary at the time of his election,
whether the allowance be proper or not,
In regard to the board Of prisoners, the /
law for Carroll county allows the Commits |
sioners to fix the price, providing how |
ever, that they shall not allow more than
seveniy-6ve cents nor less than twenty-five |
cents day per head. The former Board
allowed City cents day, and the present !
Board believe that thirty cents is ample !
This reduction they had legal right to |
make, nor were they 10 any manner bound
to maintain the old rates. The sheriff !
has neither fuel, light, furniture, taxes,
insurance license or rent to pay, and with
these provided for any hotel keeper 10 tho |
county would be glad to board the prison
ers at $3.50 per week. The prisoners do |
not require, nor ought the sheriff to give,
hotel fare. The jail ought not to offer !
such comforts as to induce the commission
Of crime for the sake Of winteriug at the jail |
at thu countys expense. If Sheriif Erin
ger maintains the prisoners as they should
be, thirty cents per head n day will allow
him profit. Frederick county allows
but twenty-five cents, and the rate at the
Peuitentiary is only about twelve cents.
For taking eonviets to the Peniteutiary
.he fee has been reduced to $40. If more
than ono is taken at one time the fec is
SIS per head. No one will doubt that
these prices are ample. Formerly the fec
was SIS head Last winter Sheriff
Fringer took three convicis to the Peni
Tertiary at one time and received therefor
s75. His expenses could not have been
more than S., leaving him $50 for his
days work. The fees for this service.
Ike the rate Of board, are left 10 the op-
ton Of the Board Of Commissioners, and
each Board has a RICH. to conduct its own
administration regardless Of tho acts of
former Boards.
The salary Of the Steward Of the Aims
House has been reduced $50, and the pay
for men aud teams for work on the public
roads has also been considerably reduced.
The latter reduction vas made at the sug-
gestion Of some Of the road Supervisors
and a petition of citizens. Mr.. Fringer.
then, is not the only one who has felt the
effects Of an economical administration,