Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-03-12
waists Counties to Aid.

intention to invite the president of the
Board of County Commissioners of every
county, with the clerk and counsel of the
boards, to meet him in conference on day
to be fixed early in May
In explaining the purpose of the proposed
conference of County Commissioners, which
will be without precedent in the State, the
Governor said
Il have had the idea in my mind for
some time of calling the heads of these
County Commissioners together to talk with
them over certain matters which deem of
great importance. One of these is the road
proposition. The State has embarked upon
an intelligent and comprehensive plan of
building a general system of State roads,
but this work, when. completed. will not
really be adequate, nor will it mean what
it should to the people of the State. unless
it is supplemented by the counties them
selves. Every practical man in the coun-
ties must realize this, and l am sure the
County Commissioners realize it.
THE thing that is desirable is not only
that the counties should themselves con-
struct lateral and supplementary roads, so
as to complete and fill out the State sys-
tenn, but that these roads should be con-
structed in the right way and should be
maintained, mended and repaired in the
right way. 1t is vital to the State that
every dollar spent in mending roads and
in building them should count. 1t is vital
that the State and the county should get
alike dollars worth for every dollar they
spend.
This can only be done, in my judgment.
by getting together comforting on this mat
ter and arranging system by which we
may have uniform roads with maximum
of endurance and a minimum of cost. This
is one of the things which am anxious to
have the County Commissioners take up
and upon which believe far more can be
accomplished. if they will exchange ideas
and cooperate. than if each county goes
ahead upon its own hook, regardless OF
what is being done in adjacent counties.
To REDUCE ELECTION EXPENSES.
Another matter which seems to me to
be an important question and which in
tend to take up at this conference is the
question of election expenses. am con-
WINGED that at least $4,000 can be saved
in the counties alone by going over the
election laws and eliminating the unneces-
sary expenditures that now prevail. am
equally convinced that this can be done
without impairing the strength and eff
cheney of the election laws.
There is growing demand in this State
for legalized primary elections. This means
the expenditure of money to hold these
elections, but they must be held. 1t is
necessary. therefore. If we can without in
juring anything, to reduce the general cleo
ton expenses to do so. know it can be
done in the counties to the extent have
mentioned, and believe that in the city a
similar amount can be saved.
~ intend to ask Mayor Mahool and other
city officials to attend this conference when
we take this matter up. believe we can
accomplish some real, practical results at
this conference. 1t is extremely gratifying
the interest which is being taken in the
road question by Republicans as well as
Democrats, and want to say that the
commission welcomes suggestions from all
persons. regardless of politics or class. We
may not be able to adopt all those that
are sent us, but we will consider them
anyhow, and it may be that thoy will
help.
STATE To SAVE OVER 100000.
In discussing the possible saving of mon
ey by cutting down the election expenses.
the Governor was asked whether in his own
department he would make any saving this
year.
Il think" he said, that at the close of
the present fiscal year, October /. there
will be saving in the funds under the
control of the Governor of $4,000. as
compared with last year, and do not
think either the efficiency or the standard
of the executive department has been inn
paired. The plans of the commissions
which have so far reported and the saw
ings now in sight are sufficient to justify
me in saying that the fiscal year following
the next Legislature will show reduction
in the general appropriations of more than
100000. as compared with the fiscal
year that followed the last Legislature.
Economy in the management of State
affairs and increase in the States reve-
nues is necessity, and every man who
knows conditions realizes it. The new
work of a State tuberculosis Sanitarium
is fine thing and should be carried on to
its completion. The contemplated State
care of the insane is principle which
must appeal to every fair minded man. II
is right and should be done. There are
other modern and progressive and benefi-
cial plans which the State will do well to
take hold of. but to suggest these things
without laying alongside Of them the sug-
gestion as to where the money is to come
from is TO deal with but half of the ques-
ton. Our people are too prone to ignore
the question of revenue and to regard the
States resources as limitless.
This State has been well managed, and
its present financial condition is compli-
ment to the men who in the past have
guided its affairs. but this by no means
answers the questions as to how it is to be
kept free of debt and continued in its pre-
sent good condition and at the same time
meet the tremendous drains being made
upon it by these big and important schemes
which mean so much to the people The
State is loaded up with these plans, and
the revenue must come. 1t can only be
managed by rigid economy and by increas-
ing our revenues in every legitimate man
ner"
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SaIes TO Take Place