The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-01-11

NOTICE To CURRESPON DENTS.-All
communications intended for publication must
be accompanied by the real name of the writer,
though not Tor publication unless desired,
O Iyrwigs they will receive no attention.
A COMHENDABLE ACT
The County Commissioners deserve
the uustiuted gratitude of every citi-
zen of Hartford who mas the good of
his county at heart for their prompt
acceptance OF the Woolsey requests.
1t will be remembered that at the
death of Mr.. William Woolsey con-
siderable feeling was wrought up by
some who opposed the acceptance of
the gift Oh the ground that it would
materially increase the tax rate. This
WAS caused by misunderstanding OF
the provisions of the will. 1t was
supposed that the county would be
compelled to contribute dollar for
dollar with the beqnest which would
ron the tax rate up to almost a pro-
hi5irige rate. In point of fact this is
far from the true facts in the case.
We endeavored in the last issue to
lay before cur readers the essential
parts OF the will a careful perusal OF
this showed that in macadamizins
two of the roads the county would
not be compelled to contribute a dol
lar and in no case will the taxpayers
he compelled to pay more than one
third. With these facts before them,
the Board acted wisely in promptly
disposing OF the matter before an op-
portunity could be afforded to drag
the question into politics where it
would undoubtedly have gone if any
delay had been tolerated. In the
shape it now is the spending of the
money must as matter of course be
done in an Donpartisan manner. 1t
will be managed like any other bust
ness should be conducted and the
taxpayers and the estate will get the
best possible return for the money.
As a rule it is always customary to
blame public officials for any supposed
mistakes and stint them in any mat
ter where they have acted wisely.
we propose to reverse the rule, how
ever, aud say to them that we
have yet to find a single person who
has not been lavish in his praise for
their prompt action. While their
good work is not yet done, yet good
start is always half the victory. They
have yet large amount of detail
which must be carefully looked after
and while they have appointed two
excellent men TO cooperate with the
trustees under the will, yet of course
many matters will have to be referred
back for final settlement.
An important question of detail will
be the best manner of raising the
balance of money necessary to CON-
plete the requests after the first two
roads above referred to are finished.
o. course the county can very easily
borrow the money on certificate for a
short period at low rate of interest
but this would not be desirab BILE as it
wonld be in awkward shape for hand
ling. 1t has been suggested, and with
some force, that.if bonds are issued
the burden would be so sIight--if a
small sinking fund was provided, say
one cent a year, that the weight would
never be felt. 1t has also been strong
~ argued that as the next generation
will reap part of the benefits of bet
ter roads they ought to pay share of
The cost.
1t would be manifestly unfair how
ever to bond the county for the i'm
provement of certain roads alone.
The square thing to do, it strikes Us,
is to issue bonds sufficient TO produce
an amount which would not only
complete the Woolsey requests but
macadamize some of the important
roads in vicinities not benefited by
the WooIsey money. In that way all
Hartford can reap the benefits accru-
ing from macadamized highways and
those districts which are not now
represented would enter much more
chaerfully into TIE era of improve
ment upon the threshold of which
our county now seems to be.
There is much opposition, and not
without cause, about bonding the
county. 1t has been urged that the
sinking fund would not be properly
guarded and when the bonds became
due there would be nothing to meet
the obligations. In days of tax COL
lectors there was much force in this
argument but now that the county. is
on cash basis. the county treasurer
could be required by law to lay aside
a certain sum of money each year for
the sinking fund, which would be
held sacrediy for this and no other
purpose. Ii he failed to do this an
Indictment for malfeasance in office
would follow.
We only offer these suggestions for
the consideration OF the taxpayers. If
some one has g better way of accom-
plishing the good to be derived by
better roads, we will be glad to hear
from him and will cheerfully publish
any communication on the subject.
A general discussion cannot fail TO
bring good results.