The age-herald., 1902-03-01

AN0A minded people
 Will you pardon me for saying that I think it demonstrable that we now have ample means, If we will but use them to put our public schools in a high state of efficiency and maintain them, and at the same time build and maintain public county and city library, without the necessity of going as beg gars to MT. Carnegie.
 If we sit supinely and let the present state of affairs continue, 1t Is our own fault, press and people alike, and trust some popular movement may be started which, even a combination of office-hold- CTS and politicians. cannot break down or defeat.
 I desire to direct your attention to the affairs of this county, and let you and your readers reach your own conclusions. In his annual report for the fiscal year 1900, MT. A. J. Camp. our efficient county auditor, made the following recommen- dations:
 FROM AUDITORS REPORT.
 'The amount paid by the state and the claims registered against the fine and forfeiture fund are not included In the above figures. The amount paid for bailiffs s5.40950) appears excessive, and investigation might show that a material reduction can be made in this item of expense
 "The jail has cost the county during the 1 year $6,S53.93. Of this amount $1460 was paid for jail guards under a local act. I see no reason why the county should bear this expense, as 1t is the sheriff's duty under the general laws to properly guard all prisoners in his custody. i ''In 1901. this item of guards had in- creased to $2122
 "I renew recommendation made last year as to changing the law regulating the fine and forfeiture fund State wit nesses should be paid in like manner as jurors, thereby putting in their pockets the money that now goes to the script scalper in the shape of enormous profits. "The county tax levy for the year was as follows:
 l County tax ....-.................25c per $10O 1 Macadam road tax ............. 10c per 100 l Bridge tax .,...................... Dc per 100 1 School tax ........................ 5c per 100 1 Iotal .......................45 .45c per $lO0 "Should the next General Assembly au- thorize the proposed sanitary sewer, an additional levy of cents per $100 will be necessary to meet the interest on the bonds issued to meet the cost of construc- tion which would bring the total tax levy up to 50 cents per $1OO.
 with deficit for the current year of $35, ,051. .39, present liabilities of $714,6S5 and the constitutional limit of taxation reach ed, it requires no prophet to see that the county's affairs are rapidly drifting from a sound financial basis, and that prompt measures should be instituted to stop further loss.
 'The abolishment of the fee system and thorough revision of the local laws would save the county thousands of dol lars annually and seems to be the prop CT solution of it's financial difficulties.
 A careful consideration by our low makers and tax payers of the existing conditions and the remedial legislation needed is earnestly suggested"
 WARNING FELL ON DEAF EARS.
 Every one of them fell on deaf ears though the accounts he published show an actual deficit for that year if $35, O51 .39.
 Instead of legislation to bring about the economies suggested our delegation went to Montgomery and appear to have made 1t their especial care to see how they could prevent them, as the figures from the same source for 1901 will show.
 MT. Camp, in his last annual report. Q90D, sets out summary of the county s affairs, again calls attention of the tax payers to their condition, and again sounds note of warning.
 EXHIBIT "H".
 SUMMARY AND REMARKS. A summary of the financial operations