The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-12-04
ABOUT THE COMMISSIONERS.
ct. Jay" Tells of Their Many Good
Qualities.

Qualities.
1t is usual to talk and write
about the fitness and general quail
tications of candidates for office.
This is generally done, however,
by admiring friends and partisans
with the purpose of advancing
their political interests. l believe
it is more important matter for
us to consider carefully the quality
of men we have elected to office.
In Garrett county the eyes of the
people are turned upon the county
commissioners-elect. This is not
at all surprising. The office is an
important one, but added to this is
the interest which attaches by rea-
son of the patronage. There is
another thing which is quite out
side both the importance of the Of
flee and the patronage attached
thereto. 1t is this, that no matter
which party elects the county COM
missioners the opposite party
charges all sorts of mismanage-
ment in the commissioners office
and all the political sins of the
party as well as the shortcomings
of the individual officials and mem
bers thereof are charged up to the
county commissioners. We ought
to have men who are intelligent
enough to appreciate the impor-
lance of their office and who pos
sesses firmness enough to go
straightforward in the discharge
of official duty. If we have elected
men of this sort there need be no
fears as to what may be charged
hereafter about the management of
their Office. Notwithstanding the
fact that the commissioners-elect
are Republicans, they are men of
unquestioned integrity and l think
may be depended upon to carefully
manage the finances of the county.
Truman Casteel is a prominent
farmer, in the prime of life, resid-
ing near Oakland. He is the only
child of Judge Nathan Casteel.
Father and son are among the
largest land owners, farmers and
grazers in the county. Commits
sioner Casteel therefore being a
large taxpayer has a personal in
terest in the economical manage
ment of county affairs. He is a
sOn-in-Iaw of Hon. p. Hamill, and
through his wife has large Demo-
cratic connection which should ex-
ert a wholesome influence. Com
missioner Casteel was educated in
the public schools of Garrett
equity, and finished his course at
the University of West Virginia, at
MOrgantOwn. His friends expect a
great deal of him.
Jacob Fresh is another farmer
living near Grantsville. He was
the minority member of the last
board. Whilst he had practically
no voice in the board of which he
was member during the past two
years he so conducted himself as to
make many friends and acquire
vast deal of experience which will be
useful to him in the term upon
which he is about to enter. 1t is
generally understood that by reason
Of his service in the former board
he will be made president. Wheth-
er he is or not it will not be a vote
of two to one against Jacob all the
time next year.
Edward Margroff, last but by no
means least, is another prosperous
and well-to do farmer. lie is pref
ty well off in this worlds goods
and made every dollar of it by hon
est labor. He has several times
filled the office of tax collector, al |
ways with credit to himself and to
the satisfaction of the public. lie |
knows the business Of the Commits
sioners office as well as any man in
the county, and by reason of his
long service as collector is especially
fitted for the position of Commits
sioner. He is and always has been
the enemy of jobs and jobbers. He
will, unless ! am mistaken in my
estimate of the man, be the watch
dog of the county treasury. There
need be no fears of any croOkedness
whilst Ed. Margroff is about. He
knows a job when he sees it, and he
is never afraid to speak out his con-
yictions. | do not hesitate to say
he is one of the best equipped men
for the Office of county commits
sioners in Garrett COUNTY,. Jay
in Cumb. News.