The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-11-23
HARTFORD COUNTY FINANCES.


to the County Commissioners, made
at their request, by Messrs. A. H.
Strasbaugh and William H. Harlan,
committee, and John S. Holt, expert
accountant, showing the financial
transactions of the Board since Janu-
airy /, 1897.
The labors of this committee have
extended over a period of more than
six months; that they have been
difficult, no one can doubt; that they
have been thoroughly done is beyond
question; that the report is fair and
impartial is guaranteed not only by
the personnel of the committee, but
by the general tenor CT the report,
the language in which it is couched,
and the conclusions reached.
The report shows a shortage on
the part of Mr.. Hudson Bateman,
clerk, amounting to 81 ,655.07; it is
proper to say that Mr.. Bateman
positively denies that he owes the
Board a cent, and claims that he will
be able to prove his assertion in due
time. He is in the hands OF able
counsel, and we have no doubt that
his case will receive that fair and I'M
partial consideration which is the
inalienable right of every American
citizen. Mr.. Bateman is under bond
of $1,000 furnished by the Fidelity
and Deposit Company, of Baltimore,
for the faithful performance of his
duties as clerk, and we'll and
truly account for all moneys that
may come into his hands or posses
sion as clerk or agent"
The committe finds that farming
operations at the almshouse have
for the past six years been conducted
on a large scale, and that during this
period the expenditures there have
exceeded the receipts by So, 411.6S.
1t twill be recalled that a committee
Of the grand jury, consisting OF
Charles B. Osborn, Morgan Mitch
ell, Johns Hopkins, Wallace {. Nagle,
William B. Wright and Thomas S.
GLADDEN., visited and examined the
almshouse property on November IL
last
And found everything in good
shape and eight hundred bushels Of
wheat in the granary, which they
think should be sold; a large corn
crop, large lot of fattening hogs, fine
lot of thrifty shoats, ten milk cows
and farm team, all in good condi
ton. Everything seemed we'll kept
and inmates we'll cared for; found
ceiling in the furnace room in bad
condition, and would recommend
that the water be conveyed from the
house to the barn to water stock
and would suggest that they raise
some other kind of steers than Alder
ney for beef"
That the property has greatly en-
HANGED in value during these six year:
and is now in excellent condition viii
be readily conceded by all who art
familiar with it; whether this policy
of intensive farming is in accordance
with the spirit of the institution il
an open question, each side of which
will have its warm advocates.
Stress is laid upon the increasing
expense to the county of the sheriff
office and jail; it is shown that dur
ing the seven years ending April 80
1906, these expenses have increased
$4,923.65 or 167 per cent; and 81
serious is the matter considered tina
it is recommended to the considera
ton of the next grand jury.
1t is shown that in the Boards ex
tensive road operations during re
cent years the disbursements hav,
exceeded the annual levies, aggregat
ing on May /, 1906, $7,590.59; anc
that $4,000 due the public schools
on June 20 must now be taken from
the levy made the previous May
This condition has existed since
June, 1901.
The committee finds that there ar,
certain assets claimed which are now
in litigation and may not be realized
on; but that this is a matter not I'M
der control of the Board.
The wisdom of its recommendation
that the books of record belonging
to the treasurer's office which are no
now on file be at once returned sc
that the records of the office may b.
kept intact, will not admit of discus
sion; such books belong absolutel,
TO the public, and no satisfactory ex
PLANTATION could be given for their re
moval.
Thegrand total of the report show
that during the past ten years tn
commissioners have levied $1,223,
996.20, and that on May 1, 1906
their expenditures had exceeded thei
assets by $9,946.73; it also show
that as an offset against this deb
the Board has bought and now own
two stone crushers at a cost O
$5,625. 50, and two steam rollers a
a cost of $5,425.
The committee' recommendations
which are set out in full in their re
port, speak for themselves: they ar
brief, plain and fair, and will so ap
peal to the best judgment of our bes
citizens.
For ourselves, we propose to Civ
them the careful study they deserve
and to give our conclusions deduce'
therefrom. In drawing those con
illusions, we propose to fairly ant
fearlessly consider the wisdom ant
integrity of past administrations
and from this basis to stand 70
what we believe will in the future b
fDr the hest interests of the peoDle O