The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-04-25
WILL THE COMMISSIONERS DO TIP
Baltimore County Of1cial Compared
with a Carroll County Off1cial


We believe the Towsontown Peoples Voice is
regarded as pretty good Democratic authority and
for this reason are moved to copy from its
issue of 9th inst. an editorial headed "Another
fraud upon the taxpayers-another swindle under
guise of law" as follows
"Comparisons,' says Mrs. Darlington, ARE
odorous,' yet are they sometimes necessary be-
cause in themselves they convey an argument
more powerful than and mere figures of speech
The Advocate, Of Westminster, speaking of Car
rolls County Clerk, says:
"'Dr. Shaw has filled the position of Clerk near
ly twelve years, having been twice elected, first
in 1873 and again in 1879. The Court has never
had more efficient officer, or one who has been
more economical in conducting the affairs of his
Office.
"'During his incumbency he conceived a plan
for making needed improvements at the Court
House, and building fire proof vaults, without
creating debt and increasing taxation. He drew
up bill to have the excess of fees of his office
applied to said improvements, and had it passed
by the Legislature. These improvements cost
about $4,000, but are being paid for by the ex-
cess of fees of the Clerks Office, without any d.
rect taxation upon the people of CARROLL"
The Voice then continues: "The last annual
report of the State Comptroller Turner shows that
Carroll county returned from its Clerks office
more fees, many times over, than that of Balti-
more county. 1t also shows that the total amount
received by Mr.. Isaac, our Clerk, was SIS, 00O all
of which was swallowed up in expenses except
$lS5. The further fact stands out that our Coun-
ty Commissioners books will show that the new
fre-proof addition to our Court House has cost
our taxpayers some 10000, directly out of their
pockets, whilst DR.. Shaw paid for Carroll countys
addition and improvement out of his fees
Mr.. Isaac is now petitioning the County Com
l. -.
taxes to give him the money with which to put in
all kinds of nice fancy shelving and work on the
inside of this addition, costing probably $4,000
more. Now, we ask in all honesty, if DR.. Shaw
could do these things pithout increasing the bur-
dens of his taxpayers and pay for them out of the
fees Of his small office, compared to Baltimore
county, why could not Mr.. Isaac follow the same
praiseworthy example?
"The second thought that arises is How was
it possible for DR.. Shaw, out of his small office, to
pay for these things and all his other expenses yet
return many times more to the State Treasury
than our Clerk, Mr.. Isaac? Is he a more honest
and capable man
"The third thought is: What kind of expenses
were these that so nicely swallowed up all of $751;
900 but the mere pittance of SlS5?
"And are we to surmse that if the income had
been $4,000 the States STARE would only have
been $3.50, and thus running the Office on the ten
per cent. commission basis
"The fourth thought is: What splendid f.
nancer and Il take all and leave none philosopher
our Clerk, Mr.. Isaac, is.
"The fifth thought is suggestion to our tax
payers and readers to take hold of the 18th chap
ter of Saint Luke to the end of the 18th verse;
Carefully read and digest it.
"The last thought is: Ought We not after all,
thank God, that even the SlS5 found its way into
the State Treasury in the light past experience?
And ought we not to feel encouraged that the re-
ceipts paid the expenses and prevented any furth-
er drain upon the taxpayers.
"Readers of the Voice, take home to yourselves
these thoughts and suggestions turn them over
in your minds, digest them well, for in the near
future we propose to give you more inside news
of your masters, the occupants of the Court House
at Towsontown. The Clerks office and some
other places, as now run, are the richest kind of
bonanzas, which will be opened to your view, in
spection and careful consideration"