The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-01-29
GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES.

The commissioners from the coun-
ties of Maryland, who met in con
vention. last week, at the Young
Mems Christian Association Hall,
Baltimore, had lively discussion
over various matters requiring leg
islative action. The meeting was
more for the expression of views
than for definite action on any one
subject. The subjects were there
fore we'll ventilated, though in some
cases the questions we're passed over
without the taking of vote to OBJ
tain the sense of the meeting.
About sixty commissioners and
several clerks to the boards were
present. The body was an intelli-
gent one aud was mainly composed
of farmers. Several showed q
marked aptness for debate.
Ex-Judge Douglas, who is coun-
sci for the Washington county COM
missioners, was present by request
aud took an active part In the dis
cussions.
Mr.. Shallcross, Of Kent county,
was called to the chair, and said:
"This meeting was called to ex.
change views and opinions for the
better management Of affairs of
Maryland counties. There should
be some uniformity Of action. 1t is
apparent, in the matter of q road
law, that what would suit the East
ern Shore counties would not suit
the Western Shore. On the East.
ern Shore there is light soil and
no heavy hauling. Shells are found
to be good matet,al for road max
ing. We have pretty good roads in
my section and they are we'll drained.
Wide roads and good drainage are
what the Eastern Shore wants. On
the Western Shore, where there is
heavier travel, stone is the best
material.
County commissioners should
serve as the boards of control and
review, if new assessment Is made.
In Baltimore county this would not
DO, but in most counties of the
State it would suit. We used to
have collectors Of taxes in Kent
county; now we have a treasurer,
who gets 81, 800 year. He gives
bond for $40, 0OO."
The various topics of government
for the counties were then discussed
ably and intelhgently.
The question of cash payment of
all county Indebtedness and selec-
ton of Road Supervisors and the
manner Of keeping roads in good
repair received liberal considera-
ton; resolution offered that eve
recommend our respective delegates
to urge the passage of new assess
ment law" was unanimously adopt
ed without debate.
The term of officc Of the County
Commissioners was then taken up.
There was great diversity of opin-
ion as to the proprietv of action,
some suggesting that it looked very
much like arguing their own case.
while Others thought there were
none better qualified to pass upon
the subject, and the only considera-
ton should be, what is best for the
taxpayers.
Col. Douglas took an active and
leading part in this discussion, and
among other things said the law
was very adroitly drawn. If the
Legislature should pass no law to
carry out the provisions of the
amendment to the constitution re-
lating to county commissioners, as
ratified at the last election, then
the present boards will serve only
for the time for which they were
elected years. 1t was a ques-
t,on to be determined, perhaps, by
the Court of Appeals as to whether
the constitution extended the time
of those elected at the time the
amendment was ratified or whether
it applied to future elections. Moth
ing can be done until the Legisla-
ture passes law in conformity with
the constitutional amendment. As
to electing all members at the same
time," he continued. that ought
to be changed. There should al
ways be one or more old mem bers
in the boards"
He then submitted the following:
lit is the sense Of this conven-
ton that the election of members
of boards shall not all be at one
time, and they shall not all go out
at the one time, or that the terms
of the members shall not begin and
end as the same time"
A resolution, that committee
of one from each county be appoint
ed by the boards to confer with the
State Senators and members of the
House as to the feasibility of ex-
tending the term of Office of the