Montgomery County sentinel., 1890-02-14
The County Treasurer.
N. Lairds Enplonation Of he Bill.

Mr.. Editor: viii You kindly permit me
10 use portion of your space to say some
thing about the bill | have introduced to
provide Treasurer for Montgomery coun
ty. The criticism that | have read and
heard has been based upon a single provs-
ion OF the bill, and has been characterized
by sput OF levity which showed no very
great interest in county affairs and no very
great knowledge of the subject under dis
cussion. Some friends with whom | had
talked of this matter have kindly informed
me that the story has been industrously
circulated that | wished the position of
Treasurer for myself, and that selfish inter.
ests alone prompted the formulation of the
bill. This may as well be set at rest at the
outset. 1 not only do not wish the position,
but no amount of persuasion would induce
me to take it | have citizens and q tax
payers interest in the proper and business
like conduct of county affairs To produce
this has been the sole object and purpose of
the bill introduced.
The increase of $400 in the salary of the
Clerk 10 the Commissioners seems to be the
great bugbear of the bill. The duties of
the position will be onerous and the respon-
sbilties great, and it is only proper that
such compensation be provided as will se-
Gu re thoroughly competent man to attend
20 them
A good deal has been said about the man.
agement OF county affairs, and proper de-
mand for reform has been made ! am fully
persuaded that the first step towards genu-
inc reform lies in the establishment of bust.
ness methods in the Commissioners office,
and think it advisable that the person who
keeps the accounts should also keep the
books OF the Commissioners, so that har-
monious system may be established. This |
think the bill will be found to do, if it is
studied in connection with the present sys.
TEN; and also, that a considerable saving
OF money will result if the proposed law is
properly administered. We all know that
at present county taxes collected prior to
certain dates are used to pay the State levy,
in order to secure the discounts. This will
be stopped, and county money used to pay
county bills, saving the interest which has
heretofore accrued upon them. In the abo-
lition of discounts on county taxes saving
Of $1,000 will be made, and slight reduc-
ton of the commissions of Collectors will
further reduce the expenses $500 or 5000 |
believe that the bill will save from $3. 900 to
$4,000
Some objection has been made to the sec.
ton making taxes due October 1st, and i'm
posing penalties for non-payment after that
date. II the discounts are to be abolished
something of this kind is necessary to ena-
BILE the payment of county liabilities which
fall due in October and November A mod
itication OF that section has been suggested
which meets my approval, namely Make
the taxes due September lst; if not paid on
or before that date penalty of one per
cent, to be added, the whole to bear interest
at six per cent alter October 1st, but collec.
tions by dstraint not to be made until after
January lst. This will not seriously affect
the poor man. Those who do not take
advantage of the discount now pay inter
est after January 1st, and the proposed plan
will only make the interest run from date
three months earlier.
One very great advantage of the bill will
he the preservation of full and complete
records of taxes paid,-a matter OF no small
concern in the examination OF titles; and |
do not know of any other method by which
the Commissioners can ascertain the amounts
due TO the county, or purchasers ofreal estate
can be assured OF unencumbered titles.
do net undertake TO go into the details
OF the bill, because it is entirely unnecessary
as lew points embrace all that is essential
in it. While almost every one said that
something should be done we came to An
napolls without solitary suggestion This
bill is the best that | could do. Ii the good
people of Montgomery do not want it, am
quite prepared to bow to their will, but
think il is unfair, under the circumstances,
to ascribe unworthy motives to one who is
honestly striving to do his duty to the peo-
pie who have honored him and towards
whom he feels genuine gratitude The
scheme proposed is not original with me-
In its main features il is in force in nine
counties Of the State, and its adoption was
attended by marked improvement in the
management of affairs 1t concentrates re.
sponsibiity, compels regular and complete
returns, and puts upon business footing
what has been heretofore slip-shod, without
system aud, except to the initiated, incom-
prehensible' Very respectfully,
PuITIp n IArpn