The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-11-23

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or the farmers or the rich men with big
incomes want it or not. In the State of New
Jersey, one of the most progressive states in
the Union, there is provision made for re-
assessment by assessors duly elected by the
people every year. Not that new assess
ment is actually made there every year. but
the opportunity is given for it if needed or
desired. In Pennsylvania, Il state great in
every particular, there is a general re-assess-
ment every ten years. Unfortunately. or at
least the law is so construed we can't have
new assessment without general change in
the law every time. We are under an ASSESS
ment made in 1876 and can't get away from
it. In that time the greatest fluctuations
ever known in the value Of property have
occurred yet we have not been able to have
those changes reflected in our assessment
laws. 1t is said that when the constitution of
Delaware was made many years ago, John
NJ. Clayton threw the key that would unlock it
down the well. so that they have never been
able to change it since. 1t is also said that
the laws of the Mcdes and Persians could
never be changed at all. 1t would appear
that our present assessment system is of
somewhat the same character 1t is useless
to appeal to the County Commissioners as
they are or at least they say are, prevented
from making changes in the assessment of
real estate. Very few Of the farms of the
county would now sell for what they are
assessed at while in many instances the
assessment is far beyond the market value.
Third. Some better mode of road and
bridge mendinS must be devised | do not
propose to discuss the fact that some
of our roads are notoriously bad. Every
one who travels over them knows that.
The problem is how to improve them. |
confess do not know, but at the same time
| do know, that the present system is not
good one, because the amount of money
spent on the roads in proportion to the re-
suits is all wrong. To throw a little dirt in
the holes OF the roads. than rake them over
with what amounts to garden rake, won't
make good roads. We fancy ourselves much
more progressive than our little neghbor
Delaware. and are accustomed to take on
airs in consequence of it, but any one who
rides from Maryland into Delaware will
readily see that they appear to have found Il
better system than we have 1t might be
well to inquire and find out.
Fourth. There should be so far as possible
careful revision of the salaries of public
officials. When prices of all the necessities
Of life are going down | see no good reason
that salaries should be going up. That don't
l., I'D IL. 80.
in the case of most of our offices, if the sal
aries We're cut down one half, it would be
possible to have them all filed and filled
too with men who would perform the
duties just as well as they are now per-
formed. A great deal is said about giving
giving our officials salary enough to live with
the dignity belonging to such officials. But
in reality it only adds to the reckless extrav-
agance which is only too rapidly spreading
Without designating any particular offices
where there Is need of revision, yet there
should be general scanning along the
whole line, and looping off of useless and
extravagant salaries every time.
Fifth. Our school system needs many
changes. l will only enumerate these. There
should be free books, so that the schools
would be FREQ In fact as well as in name
The school commissioners should also be
elected by the people, that they may be re-
moved from the manipulations of the poll
ticians as is now the case. In the suggestions
thus made, have not attempted to do more
than make suggestions, are there may be
great differences of opinion as to methods
l shall be pleased to hear from the mem
bers Of the club and the friends present their
views on the questions herein presented, sure
that discussion will bring the matter out more
fully, and lead to more light on the subject
With these remarks leave the bects with
you.
Comment on the essay being in order, Mr..
embraced in the essay, that he hardly knew
whore to begin. As to re-assessment that was
not yet an assured fact. He advocated gravel
roads as the best and most economical under
existing conditions in Cecil county. He
thought with the essayest that the salaries of
public officers should be generally scaled
down in keeping with the tendency of prices
of commodities generally.
Mr.. Wilson said that re-assessment had
been an old demand Of the club, and stand
ing subject of discussion for many years past,
and he hoped. the present promise Of realiz-
ing it, would not fail as they had in the past
He thought the present salaries OF our public
officers. should secure the best men, yet the
general tendency seemed to be in the line of
increase, rather than in that of reduction. He
thought great improvements had been made
in the roads Of the county. He thought the
systom Of roads was not at fault.
Mr.. Henry S. Coudon thought that there
was no better prospect for re-assessment now
than ever before. Both gentlemen recently
named for Governor only promised to favor
a just re-assessment. What that means re-
mains to be seen. The man who best
represented the farmers interests on this sub
jsct was turned down-Mr. Hayes. He hoped
that the force OF public opinion might effect
good results. Whether good results would
be attained by making School Commissioners
elective, was in his opinion very questionable
Mr.. Waters said the points made in the
essay were important, but he could not dis
cuss them at this time
Mr.. Kirk approved the suggestions Of the
essay, but the range of subjects being so wide
he would not undertake to discuss them
Mr.. Duyckinck said he endorsed the use