Catoctin clarion., 1898-10-27
GraCelIavll Items ,

We are sorry to note the serious illness ol
Ross and Marie, two children of Mr.. John D.
Firor. The little girls condition being the
most dangerous.
Remember the Supper Of the Moravian
Ladies' Aid Society at Graceham on Thurs
day evening OF this week. In addition to
the supper pleasing entertainment will be
given, and through the kindness of DR.. &c
kcfauvcr OF Thurmont Graphophone will
be used to add further interest to the enter.
tainment.
On Monday morning of this week, the
store formery owned and occupied by Mr.
w. l.. Armacost for number of ycars, was
opened 10y Mr.. VIM. Morrison Jr., of EN-
mitsburg, Nd. wno having bought the stock
in q bulk on Saturday previous. We wish
the new proprietor success in this new en-
terprise for himself
Sunday morning Rev. NJ. r. Ocrter
preached an excellent sermon on the need
and use of money by the chusch under the
various departments by which it is gathered
and dispersed, viz, the expenses of fuel and
light, repairs, missions stated church con,ri
buttons at large, pastors salary, etc. 1t was
based upon the words of 2 Chron. "a, 11-l4
as his text; when the King Joash and Jchoi
ada gathered money for the repair of the
temple. 1t is worthy of publication so that
many might read, as there was no standing
room for any. for all could take some part
for himself without applying it all to his
neighbor. If only some such could have
heard it who scarcely think Of their God OF
the church, OF the preacher until they are
about to draw their Inst breath, when the
doctor and preacher are expected to save
them.
EXPLAIN PLEAsE-For the information OF
the "Catoctin ClaIion" we will say that the
County Commissioners of Frederick County
do not pay the salary of the Clerk of the
Court or any of his deputies; nor does the
county statement published by the County
Commissioners say so No assessment has
been levied upon the taxpayers of the county
for such purpose One of the clerks en-
ployed in the office of the Clerk is there by
order of the court, and is a special appoint.
ment of that body. He is employed for the
purpose ofindexing the old marriag. records
naturaizations, etc. For this clerks ser
vices the County Commissioners pay as the
law provides. The County Commissioners
pay fees to the Clerk of the Court, the same
as to any individual: an account is rendered
to them two or three times year, and such
account is referred to their attorney, who Is
acquainted with the fees allowed by law
and when passed upon, certificate is given
to the Clerk, which he has to have discount
ed in order to get the use Of the money.
The "Clarion" WAS right In supposlng that
the fees of the Office paid the clerk and his
deputies. 1t not only does this but for years
has paid for all the books and stationery and
incidental expenses The County Commits
sioners pay Clerks bills for court and public
business, the same as they pay printing bills
and other bills against the county Tuide
I'VE have no doubt that the above is gen.
orally. correct, but II does not answer our
question.
In the first place The County Statement
does, under the head, Charges as ascertaincd
and settled by the County Commissioners
etc" name the sum of SO, 795. AZ as portion
of the expenses of the county and it appears
on the debit side of the Rccapitulation, en-
tering into the total, $187 062. 70, with the
items; Assessment, Taxes on Bonds, Taxes
on Mortgages, to balance. Now, if,he above
item OF $3, ,705 AZ is not an expense, but is
more than accounted for by the fees of the
office. and that item appears on the debit
side, why do We not find the Fees of tht
Clerks Office ON the credit side-an asset Of
source of revenue to the county?
To put it in other words, how is that bal
ance of $126 ~ arrived at if the $3,795.4i
was paid by the fees of the office and, yet
appearing on the debit side, with no account
ing of that or any other sum, credit III th'
account, from fees?
We are satisfied that the Clerks Office
docs not cost the county anything, yet il
The Statement (Recapitulationy $3,7a547 o
the Tax Revenue of the county is accounted
for, by charge of that amount against th'
Clerks, Office, without per contra, as th'
three Taxes are given as the sole revenue
This is what occasioned our item, "Plcas,
! Explain "-Ep CLARION