Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-02-14

her citizens recognize that fact espec-
ially when the Tax Collector pays his
annual visits.
! Just how much Fred erick County Is
in debt is a mooted question at present,
but assuming that the following state
ment sent to Tie Eram.ntr last week
by Mr.. II. F. Steiner, clerk Of the
County Commissioners, is the lowest
possible, if not the correct amount, We
desire to make some comparisons.
His statement is as follows:
Bounty Bonds, s per cent. 900
Almshouse or Monievue Hospital, 5
per cent. T5pop
County Jail and Sherif7s House 5per
cent. 62,'p
Turnpike Bonds or Notes, per cent 29j00
Bridge 5rer cent 81, 800
School Bonds. per cent. ......... 5000
Total Indebtedness 1923 100
The interest on the above amounts to
81, 1856, as follows: on Bounty Bonds
5000; Almshouse, $3.50; Jail and
Sheriff House, 81 ,l35; Turnpikes, ST.
AS; Bridges, Sl,4-5; School Bonds
1900.
Now, the point to which we desire to
call attention is, that this county has
been willing to 60 into debt for Jail,
sheriff house, asylum, bridges, turn
pixies and schools to an extent that
shows up an annual interest account Of
81 1885 Of which Schools are charged
bic only with the paltry sum Of $500
and vet this entire interest account is
nearly half as great as the entire ley
made annually for the support Of the
schools. when that amount sulfices, at
best, to keep open the schools but three
fourths of the year, required the lop-
ping off Of even part Of that time
this year and worse than all, with the
above unworthy conditions, the School
Board now $4,000 in debt.
While handsome jails, official resi-
dences and asylums are creditable,
bridges are necessity and turnpikes
convenience to the localities in which
they are located, yet, when the annual
charge upon the county, outside Of and
excepting the direct annual ley tor their
support, Is equal to nearly one-half of
the amount realized for school pur-
poses, it cannot be construed as other
than most ill-conditioned financial
policy, given over to the investment of
funds in fine buildings for pompous
display and in other projects not Who'll
ly for the public benefit, while one Of
the most beneficial of our institutions,
the public schools, are allowed to be-
come a very inferior consideration.
But every liberal and intelligent cit
izen Of Frederick county is not only
proud of her public buildings, willing
to have her fordings bridged and con.
tent to have pixies built, but they fur
thermore, would permit no one to chal.
lenge her ability to own and have such;
they will claim that her wealth and re-
sources are such as warrant every dol
lar Of the outlay and more.
The county is not new one, it is
wealthy, populous and the tax rate is
high, very high.
How then is it that We find our
County Commissioners required to ask
for the passage Of law, authorizing
them to bond a floating Indebtedness
Of 500, 900, that has been accommodating
for fourteen years and how is it that
we find the School Commissioners with
debt of $4,000, accumulated within
less than half that time:
More than twenty-five millions of
dollars as a tax basis, an annual inter-
est account of more than eleven thous-
and dollars, a high rate of taxation,
schools open this year five and one half
months and deficit of thirteen thous-
and dollars, and yet nine men, sheriff,
four magistrates and four constables
are able to charge the county more
than the entire amount paid annually
for school purposes!
People of Frederick County, does not
your pride in the grand old shire re-
ceive blow, when figures like the
above may be quoted as the only evi-
dencc Of the financial ability Of her
sons {?
(JrnA1 Floods