Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-05-28
Le..er orJames N. Munr0e, go.

Dir. James NJ. Munroe, writes to
the Maryland Republican Of Satur-
day, in reference to the finances Of
this county, in reply to an item in
the Anne Aruadcl Advsrtiser of
May 23d ulto., entitled "The Coun-
ty Levy-a large amount due by
the county unproyided for, etc., !"
as follows
The densest ignorance seems to pre-
vail very generally in reference to the
finances and the financial condition
of this county, for which some excuse
may be found in the very vici-
Gus system which has always prevailed
here. Of the system no more can be
said here than that it Is the system of
Credit and Back LeCieS, which enables
our county creditors to charge the
highest prices for all they supply,incon
sideration Of being obliged to wait for
their money. But, Notwithstanding
this disadvantage, careful and faith
full Board of County Commissioners
can run this county for $4,000 per
year, without the slightest trouble,
and make substantial and permanent
improvements with that money.
Now, whatever complaints may be
made, Justly or otherwise, against the
present County Commissioners, no
one can truthfully say that they have
not carefully and faithfully admins
tered the finances of the county to the
great benefit of its Taxpayers. And
yet the Anne arundel Advertiser says !:
eve learn that between thirty and
forty thousand dollars, accumulated
debt owing by the county, was unpro-
vided for in the above levy, and
which sum bears interest. Besides
several large claims against the
county gcere omitted from the expenses
this gear so that a reduction could be made
ia the taxes Had these sums been
provided for in the levy there would
have been but little, if any, reduction
from last years rates.
Now, Messrs. Editors, it is only fair
even to the Devil or a Republican, to
give hun hrs DUE" What are
the facts in the case The present
Commissioners went into Office in
December, 1887. a few months af-
forwards they were obliged to levy
for the debts which had been con
tracted by their predecessors, and the
levy for that year (1S5S) was the enor-
nous sum of $l02 ,O23.66, and the tax
rate 1.3la. There was then still teft a
considerable back debt contracted By
preceding boards unprovided for. Mark
Ill This deficiency existed IN 1888,
and had been accommodating through
1884, 1885, 1886 and 1887. But in 1889
the present Commissioners not only
levy for ecery dc6t bit one, which they
contracted, but IN addition thereto have
levied for $3,S15.00 Of the deficiency
OF 1884, and ST., 10000 of the deficiency
OF 1886 and 81. 10000 of the deficiency
OF 1883 having levied IN ade0nce $40l,
for lighting the Jail with electricity,
aud the usual 81 800 for jurors and
witnesses all this on smaller basis
of assessment than last year and at
saving to the Taxpayers of SIS, l64.OO,
the total amount Of levy for 1889 being
So, S39.46, against $lO2, O23.66 for
1883.
Is not the inuendo of the Adccytiser
therefore, manifestly unfair Can it
be possible that such statements are
made wilfnlly, or is it ignorantly
The books are open to the publicl
The levy viii soon be printed and
comparative tables of expenses placed
in the hands Of every taxpayer. The
Commissioners can confidently rely
upon it that every intelligent tax pay
er of Anne Aruneel county viii say
10 them--ssWell doue, good and faith.
ful servants.
IN conclusion. / request that you
will publish the enclosed certificate
from the Clerk OF the Commissioners.
Very Respectfully Yours,
JAMES II. MUNRoE.
lrr4cr or THE COUNTY COMMISSION