Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-11-19
MIR. owens Reply to Mr.. Israel.


In reply to the foregoing letter of Mr..
Israels, Mr.. James w. Owens has adj
dressed us the following
Editor ECening Capital
think whenever it is possible that q
charge, and its answer should be stimuli
taneously pub ished. AS you inform me
that you will publish Dir Israel's letter
on the subject of county taxes to-day,
and as | have full knowledge of all the
facts relative to the last levy, having as
sisted In making the same, ask the
privilege OF q personal reply.
First-The State does not pay the
Commissioners for collecting State taxes
($965.07 (see chapter $50, acts of 1907
Second-Court House Building Com
mittee, 81 $4,000. Tnis sum is the sink
ing fund to pay the Court House Bonds
and interest, (see chapter 479. acts Of
1922 The County has the authority to
issue bonds for proper Improvements to
its oion property acittoct a cote IF the peo-
pie. (See Constitution of 1867, article 3.
section 81, as to limitations to the issue
of bond
Third-"Printing and stationery" Do
not cost the county SO, 1890 Mr. Israel
has either made mistake in his figures
or In some other particular. In this re-
gar much advertising Ia done over
whit b the Commissioners have no con
troll For instance the Registers of Vo.
teIs advertise as they please and the
commissioners pay the bills. (See chap
ter 533, acts of 1890 Also the Super
visors of Election.
Fourth-"Expenses and repairs TO
Court House" The items are given in
full under head of "expenses and repairs
of Jail and Court House," all of which
bills were contracted prior to the levy of
1892
Fifth Mr. Israel is again seemingly
mistaken in his figures for levy for the
poor &c, when he says the sum is$9, 970 :
80; presumably he includes in this So, 600
TO Marylan Hospital and 81 600 to Fred
erick County Hospital, these sums are
for the support of INDECENT insane. It's
hard expense, but must be borne, In
regard to the $621.75 for burying pau
pers, the commissioners do not erpect to
bury 100 paupers this year, bat have al
ready paid IL for last gear, and issued GER
tihcates therefor Mr.. Israel says the
poor are leaving us very fast; but the Bi
BILE says The poor We have always with
you
Sixth-Aitorney Fees-The retain
ing fee of Counsel of the Board is 800 =
but does MIR. Israel conclude that all the
cases tried by the Board and all advice
given could be procured from any res
pectable attorney for 500 per annum 2
When criminal cases are tried and coun-
sci assigned by the court the attorney g
fees must be paid by the Board, hence
the additional $34l.16
SEVENTH Roads The levy for this is
very heavy in proportion to the results.
We agree with MIR. Israel that we need
some better system. In mentioning the
amour. levied however, he should have
shown the levy for each district sepa
rately.
Eighth. Answering the question
Please refer us TO the law under which
YOU adjust Magistrates accounts, &c we
beg TO refer to Article 80 Code of Public
General Laws. title Fees" The Com
missioDers do not expect TO pay the
amounts specified this gear. but have al
ready levied for those amounts TO pay
for the Certificates issued on account Of
last year tt may be interesting to Mr..
Isarel to know that for the fiscal year
1891 Magistrates and Constables in
Annapolis cost 81. 1877 30, and that under
the new law introduced by Senator Moss
and passed st the session of 1891. the
total net cost in Annapolis for the four
months ending Nov. list 1892, has been
$163.s0, or at the rate of $590.l0 per an
num-
Ninth.-The difference between the
"Sundry Account and the Commission
ers' Contingent Fund is this: Tue Sun
dry Account was leried TO meet certifi-
Gates issued for the Fiscal Year of 1891
on contracts entered into previous TO
levy of 1892 The Contingent Fund Is
levied TO meet probable contingencies
which may arise. and this fund is ne
oessary evil In conclusion / beg TO
state that the books in the County Com
missioner's Office are public property.
open TO the inspection OF any one. Care
full examination Of them viii show when,
by whom, and for what. payments have
been made, aud they win stand the test
Of impartial criticism: and further beg
TO state that my friendly relations with
Mr.. Israel negatives the idea that, in
writing this letter, that | am cautiously
critical Of his letter. He has the right
as q taxpayer TO the Information asked,
| have tried 10 give Il
Respectfully,
JAMES w. OWENS
- L. IL