The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-02-13
Enlarged Powers for County Com
misSioners.

About nineteen ont of every twenty billi
that engage the attention of the Legislature
are local bills, and many of them trivial. II
is a we'll known fact, too, that every local bill
advocated by the local delegation is favorably
reported and passed, It is taken for granted
that the Senator and Delegates know what
their constituency want, and no opposition is
inserposed from other members. These local
bills are so numerous that the session ends
without much else being done. Legislation
of general character is thrust aside because
members are most interested in bills that more
nearly affect them.
The files of the two houses are now loaded
with local bills and the list is constantly in
creasinr, and time that should be devoted to
needed legislation of general importance will
be consumed in their consideration con-
sideration, but in running them through the
usual course in machine-like manner.
Ali of this can be remedied by granting
greater powers to County Commissioners.
AS a rule the Commissioners are as intelligent
and know as nuch about the needs of a
county as the representatives in the legisla-
ture. The Commissioners now have but little
power. AS noted last week, they can appoint
commissions when the appointces prove inef-
fcient or worse. If court house or Jail were
to burn down, they could not rebuild without
the sanction of the legislature to issue bonds
for the purpose; and they are hampered in
various ways, while the legislature is burdensd
with all sorts of small matters of a local char
acter.
The County Commissioners should have
their powers increased.
They should be charged with the appoint
ment of magistrates as well as constables. They
have to deal with the bills of these officers,
and should have the power of appointment
and removal.
They should have the power TO issue bonds
when extraordinary and unavoidable expendi-
lures have to be made, IS In the case of the
destruction Of a court hoase, Jail, almshouse
or other indispensable county building, or in
the event of disastrous foods, such as occur
red in Cecil and Hartford counties in the last
year or two.
They should have the power to regulate the
shooting of game, the catching offish in small
streams and the killing of hawks; they should
have the power to levy funds for building
schools houses, to regulate the running of cat
tie at large, and have larger powers in regard
to public roads, &c. All local laws pertain
bod NV
the Legislature when asked for by county
delegation. Why, then, not grant the power
over such matters to County Commissioners
and thus save time and inconvenience to those
directly interested, and relieve the legislature
of much trifling legislation.
The office of County Commissioner is one
of responsibility, and these additions to the
powers and duties, would make it more so.
And with this increase should be an increase
in the salary. The dignity of the position
should be exalted, and the place made one
that it would be an honor for any man to ac-
centrally fill. They are directly responsible
to the people, and are nearer to them than
legislators are. Three are enough for a
county, and their term of Office should be six
wears. The first under new Act could be
chosen one for two years, one for four years
and one for six, and afterward one could be
chosen every two years. By such an arrange
ment there would always be one or more ex-
perienced men in the board. At present the
commissioners are often composed of new
men, and just when they become thoroughly
familiar with county affairs, and begin i'm
provements, custom replaces them by new
men.
To effect a change in the term of Office
would require a change in the constitution,
and the advocates of new constitution can
add this to the reason why the organic law
should be reformed.