The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-12-23
PEOPLE BEFORE PARTY

ELSEWHERE in this issue OF THE WING
there appears statement OF county finances
CO, ering the first five months OF the fiscal year
100 800, received too late for insertion last
week. The VariouS accounts to be met from
the years levy are set forth as also the dis
busemcnts made under each from January st
to Noycmber goth. The election and pcrman-
cnt roads accounts have been ovcrdraWn to the
cEt"nt ol $l,2Io25, and SIOI2.2" respectively.
and interest and few other accounts to the
total amount OF SL3oEO} The balance due
from the levy ON the various accounts to be met
also given, the largest being $50 500 for pub
lie schools, $4,000 for bills payable $4,000
for roads and bridges, S2,ooo for discount s. 600
for the Onion Hospital, s., 100 for poor and III
sane, $500 for County Commissioners Court
and SII5o0O for the Sheriff. Notes are out
standing, due to the National Bank OF Elkton,
the Rising Sun and Chesapeake City National
Banks and the Cecil National. OF Port Deposit,
representing a total OF S35,CCO. OF the total
amount of the levy SOoS5l.S2 had been col
lected up to November 80, and there then re-
manned to be collected 500. 1897.
The new Board OF County Commissioners
very wisely determined to have an audit OF the
books OF their office made by an expert ac-
Countant. This is a step that should have been
taken by their immediate predecessors, but, if
now thoroughly made, the responsibility for the
present financial situation OF the county will be
clearly established
But what the people want now is not so much
the settling OF the question OF responsibility,
upon which the voters passed, whether rightly
OF otherwise, at the recent election, as the SAT
est way out OF the difficulties which bcsct the
taX-paying public.
he need OF the strictcst economy is inDera-
tive, and it is to be hoped that waste will be
watched and prevented wherever it NAV be sus-
pcCtcd or observed
he Board, as constituted, measures up in
capacity with the best OF its predecessors, and,
if it shall succeed in keeping down expenses to
the minimum OF deicnsible outlay. it will have
justified the popular preference Tor its MEMBERS
Full inquiry will beyond question. show, as is
held by most thoughtful citizens, that the cause
OF the county's present rcgrettable financial con
dltion is, to be found in the system of admins
tration OF its affairs, SO long followed and often
to the pubc's detrmcnt
Under the methods followed. waste in MANY
lines of public work has been common and in
some all but inevitable
While much is doubtless, looked for from
the new Board in the way of reform and i'm
provcment in methods, too much should not be
expected.
Radical changes are needed in the conduct
OF the County's work if anything like lasting inn
provement is to be obtained.
1t would be advisable perhaps, as prelimin-
AIRY step in the right direction for the Board to
consider and formulate needed changes in the
present system, or to select commission of rep
resentatve taxpayers to assist the Commits
sioners in working out a practicable plan of re-
form.
The audit of the Boards books should be
made as promptly as may be consistent with