The Washington times., 1906-08-12
Rockville


AS a result Of the controversy existing
for some time between the county com
missioners Of this county and State Sen
ator Blair Lee and Charles w. Pretty
man, counsel TO the commissioners, over
the question Of whether the commission
ers should assess the stock OF the Mont
gonery County National Bank. at this
place, Mr.. Prettyman has resigned as
such counsel, after the appointment by
the board of Senator Lee as special
counsel 10 make a preliminary investi-
cation and reDeEt IN the matter Of the
exemptions claimed or allowed in respect
TO the Baltimore city stock, owned by
national banks Of the State.
In accordance with an understanding
which Mr.. Prettyman claims 10 have
had with the commissioners, he pre-
pared the following order which was
not acted upon:
Whereas IL has been suggested TO the
board that the State tax commissioner,
In making up his valuation Of stock Of
certain corporations. has deducted be-
fore making MS valuation of said stock,
the value OF such Baltimore city stock az
IS held By such corporations. and 60 has
been further suggested that the vaiua-
tion so made by the State tax commits
sioner is erroneous in so far as such val
uation Affects the assessment Of such
stock for county purposes; therefore
be it
Resolved. That the attention OF the
county commissioners Of the several
counties in the State be called 10 these
suggestions. with the request that the
matter be referred to their several legal
advisers for investigation, and requesting
them 10 direct their attorneys 10 confer
with the attorneys for the several other
counties. looking TO a meeting Of such
attorneys at some convenient place at
an early date 10 formulate such course
OF action as may be proper for the
boards OF county commissioners 10 take
In the premises.
And that said several boards OF
county commissioners be requested 10
notify this board at once Of their will
ingness 10 order such conference, il 10
be understood that. in case any legal
action be advised by the conference OF
attorneys herein suggested, the costs
Of such action, including such counsel
fees as may be necessary, be borne in
equal shares by the several boards OF
county commissioners entering such
conference"
Following the preparation Of the above
and the placing Of the same before the
board for Its approval. as It had agreed
with Mr. Prettyman so 10 do. Senator
Blair Lee presented the following order:
ordered by the board OF county com
missioners for Montgomery county. Nd.
that the clerk Of the county commits
sioners communicate with Hon Buch-
anan Schley, State tax commissioner.
and ascertain from him upon what
statutes and decisions he bases the ex-
emption from local taxes, etc, in the
mattcr Of the Baltimore city stock; and
Iurtheri that Blair Lee. Of the bar OF
the circuit court for Montgomery coun-
", is hereby authorized and directed TO
make a preliminary investigation and
report 10 this board in the matter OF
the exemption or exemptions claimed or
allowed in respect TO the Baltimore city
stock, providing said attorney. viii make
said preliminary investigation and re
port without charges; and the clerk OF
this board shall upon receipt Of an an
swer from the State tax commissioner
10 the inquiry above directed refer said
answer 20 said attorney"
As soon as Mr. Prettyman learned OF
the action Of the board he sent the fol-
lowing 10 the commissioners:
To the Honorable Board of County
Commissioners OF Montgomery County:
Gentlemen: As the time seems 70
have arrived when that absolute conf
dence which ought &c exist between an
attorney and his client no longer pre-
walls between yourselves and me. I beg
leave 10 tender my resignation as at
tOrney 10 this board. AS I said 10 YOU
before, ! have no desire to hamper your
efforts to serve the interests of the peO-
pie as you see them. As the action that
YOU have taken In passing the resolution
appointing the Hon. Blair Lee as your
attorney for the investigation Of certain
questions affecting taxation is in direct
opposition 10 amy advice in the matter.
and in disregard OF the plan Of opera
ton upon which We agreed on last Tues
day l feel that ] can nc longer serve
you.
Thanking YOU for the uniform court
esy and consideration with which YOU
have in the past treated me. I remain
Yours very respectfully,
CHARLES ". PRETTYMAN."