Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-17
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD.
Talk About the Canadian Embarrass-
ing Decision-Damage by Lightning.
THE EVENING STAR:

Correspondence OF The EVENING STAR:
ROCKVILLE, June 16, 1882
The decision rendered yesterday by the
county commissioners that they would not levy
the amount of taxes heretofore paid the cor
poration of Rockville for the improvement OF
the streets within said limits, has caused a
feeling of CONSERVATION among our people, but
which will doubtless subside in a short time, as
the deprivation Of the fund enjoyed for many
years will be of short duration Since the
adoption OF the present constitution of
Maryland Incorporated towns have been
allowed the use of a certain portion
Of the county tax on the property within
their limits for the improvement of the same,
and heretofore the policy of this distribution
has not been questioned. A recent decision by
the court of appeals in a case between the cor
porate authorities of Laurel and the commits
siOners OF Prince George county, hav-
ing been brought before the commissioners
they have decided to withhold the ap-
preparation to the incorporated towns Of this
county. This decision, far as this town is
concerned, throws the town commissioners
back for revenue upon the corporate tax, which,
under the charter, cannot exceed 20 cents on
the 300 of the assessment of property within
the corporate limits and that assessment must
be the same as that made by the county, while
it is a fact well known to all that the property
within the corporation. well as for several
miles adjacent thereto, is not assessed at more
than one-fourth Of what it would sell for in the
open market. Outside of the proportion of the
county tax heretofore levied for the corpora
ton the income, yearly, under the present law
full rate will be between 5000 and 300, and
taking into consideration the interest on the
debt made for public improvements under the
charter "a large portion will be required to pay
the interest on the loan. As the matter now
stands the property-holders of the town seem
a baf tha nd f,,I
town shall take no step backward. but that each
and all will lend "a hand to its advancement.
The recent proceedings of the board Of pub
lie works at Annapolis In regard to the future
OF the Chesapeake and Ohio canal are looked
upon here by gentlemen who are In O position
To know the inside workings of state affairs as
a huge farce. That anything feasible can be
accomplished without an extra session of the
legislature and an amendment to the constitu-
ton authorizing the state to relinquish all
claims to the property of the canal is looked
upon as impossible by prominent men versed in
canal matters. The proposition of MIR. Poe to
issue additional bonds for repairs. although
the same may be declared lawful by the attor-
ney-general, Is looked upon as ''Utopian." from
the simple fact that it would require several mil
lion dollars of the same to secure enough money
TO mend the breaks and put the canal in run
ming order, to say nothing of future revenue to
pay interest on the same. 1t is generally I'M
derstood that the managers" of the dominant
Of the legislature that might propose amend
ments TO the constitution, but are in favor of a
convention which will entirely remodel the or
ganic law of the state-and in the interest of
the present ruling power.
During the brief thunder storm which
passed over this section of the county yester-
day the house of Mr.. Bell Ward, at Hunting
Hill, about three miles from this place. was
struck by lightning and burned to the ground.
The furniture on the first floor was removed,
and the entire loss is estimated at $4,000
partially covered by insurance.
On Friday a cOlOred man, who has for sew
eral years been employed on the farm of
Spencer c. jones, near Knowles station was
Instantly killed by lightning. He and another
man were employed in a cOrnfield. and upon
the storm coming up were making their way to
the house when the fatal bolt descended.
striking him on the back of the skull breaking
his neck and tearing the clothes from his BODY
The man accompanying him was stunned but
managed to reach the house and give the
alarm. An inquest was deemed unnecessary.
Lightning, on the same evening, struck tree
near the stable of DIR. Z. c. Etchison. at
Galthersburg. demOlishing the tree and injur-
ing corner of the building. The same even
Ing water-spout descended near Goshen, this
county, and did much damage to crops &c.
The public schools of the county were
closed for the summer on Friday with appro-
pirate exercises. The school at MOntrose Miss
Blanche B-addock principal. enjoyed a fine
picnic. which was attended by a majority of
the parents of the pupils. At Shady Grove
the school of Miss Agnes j. Matlock closed
with picnic. which was attended by large
crowd. Books and other rewards of merit
we're presented by the teacher to the pupils.
and IN return the teacher was presented with a
handsome testimonial by the members of her
charge.
Geo. Selby, a somewhat noted character. was
arrested here this evening. charged with lar
ceny at DerwOod. and committed to Jail Sew
eral shots were fired at the accused before he
was arrested. SAM