Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-07-23

lectine taxes, for which work his salary
has been increased from $500 to $4,000,
which increase, with all other costs Of col
lections. amounts to $4,000 year, as
against about $1,000 year previously
paid to collectors of taxes in commissions.
| A net saving results to the county OF about
$4,000 year from this change. There
was no adequate check upon the old clerk
when holding funds virtually as treasurer,
| and his bond was only $25, 900 as against
| $50, 900 now. A further check upon his
conduct is now supplied through the ex-
animation, every three months, by an audi
tor. appointed by the court. who has power
to inquire into the statements and vouchers
submitted by the treasurer. The auditors
report is also published promptly for public
information and criticism. These checks
exist in addition to the examinations by
the bonding company, which would have
to make good any losses, and yet. you say,
there is mo check at all" Under the pre-
sent system the taxes are not only collect
ed at great saving. but much more
promptly and the county, having its cash
in hand, is less likely to borrow and pay
interest. Another change is provided in
handling the county money, which Is re-
Quired by law to be deposited in approved
banks that offer the largest interest to the
years has amounted to $l.129.
a7 ELECTION OF TREASURER.
1t is obvious that under all circumstances
the County Commissioners must choose
their own clerk, otherwise they cannot be
held responsible for the conduct of their
office.
Thus it is clear that il a treasurer is to
be elected, new and separate Office must
H.. .ol lot 10
arate set of books and incidental features
involving new expense, probably not less
than $4,000 year. The only public rea-
son you suggest for making this new office
is to provide check on the County Com
missioners' office, alleging there is no
check at ALL" The several checks shown
to exist, as abeve, seem adequate and in
dicate that there Is no danger of loss to
the county funds under the present system
and no occasion for creating the new Office
you suggest.
You say that you stand for reduction
of taxes. You specify no single item upon
which substantial reduction can be made.
but you apparently seek to interest place
hunting individuals by the suggestion Of a
new, unnecessary and expensive Office
This method is not calculated to reduce
taxation.
COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The administration of the school system
should be conducted entirely for the good
of the schools, and the action of the board
should be free from political or fractional
bias. With this object in view, the School
Board was recognized during my term by
increasing the membership from three to
six. As the members received a nominal
salary of 500 year each, this change
involved additional expense of only $500
a year, while it gave better inspection and
better representation to the various sec
tons Of the county.
The number of our School Commissioners
is now the same as in Baltimore. Frederick,
Washington, Carroll and Dorchester coun-
ties.
Beyond expressing the wish at the outset
to each of the commissioners that he should
put the interests of the school children
| first of ALL | have never attempted in any
manner to influence the action Of the School
Board.
In making your criticisms, you do not
name any single act Of the board where
politics or faction or personal interests
have controlled their action. but, on the
contrary you have resorted to innuendO.
In the interest of the school system and
the children who depend upon 1t for educa-
| ton, deem ii my duty to demand OF you
to publicly specify any and all cases where
you can show that such improper motives
have controlled the official action of the
School Board. | do not intend to say that
the School Board has not made some mis-
takes. II they have not made some errors,
they are more than human. They are
well-kn0wn citizens of Montgomery county.
of high character, and are able to meet
| , Ea nh IN dao m them
| SINGLE Term FOR SENATOR.
There is no Democratic principle, State
or National, which requires that legislative
officers be restricted to one term Of ser
vice. You cite events in our county, since
the Civil War, to establish rule for the
county that involves no principle. AS to
part of what you say, you are mistaken In
your facts. Senator Peter had the nomi-
nation from the Democratic party for three
successive terms and was elected the first
and last time, being once defeated at the
election by the Republican candidate. The
other cases you mention simply show the ups
and downs of fractional strife in this county.
| You state that Senators Peter. WoOtton.
Bouic and Jones were faithful, efficient,
wise and worthy" Democrats. They all
asked the party for denomination and
they certainly did not feel that they were
violating any Democratic principle in so
doing. never at any time, to any person,
said that would not seek denomination.
As between us, the Democratic voters
will make their choice My principles and
purposes to serve faithfully are well known
to them, and they will come to know you
and your record better as the campaign
progresses.
Whatever may be the result OF this can
vass to any candidate. the primary cleo
ton law. as applied by the Democratic
party in this county, and under which the
people select the men to serve them is a
great triumph for popular rule. hope the
people will always prove true TO their own
rule by faithfully supporting the nominees
they themselves select. and thus show that
they can accept the will Of the majority,
upon accepting which. faithfully and hon.
estly the rule of the people must depend
for its continuance.
Very truly yours.
BLAIR LEE.