Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-07-16

lectins taxes, for which work his salary
has been increased from 81, 500 to 81, 1000
which increase, with all other costs of col
lections, amounts to $4,000 a 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 $25 200 as against
$780, 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 auditor
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.
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 if a treasurer is to
be elected, a new and separate office must
ha tnA xAyith sofa
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 above. seem adequate and in
| dictate 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.
| SouNii pcHOOL cIoiEm.
| 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 receive nominal
salary of 500 year each, this change
involved additional expense of only $500
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 Scho0
Board.
In making your criticisms. you do no
name any single act of the board wher,
politics or faction or personal interests
have controlled their action, but. on thu
contrary, you have res0rted to innuendO
In the interest of the school system ant
the children who depend upon it for educa
publicly specify any and all cases wher,
you can show that such improper motives
have controlled the official action of tn,
School Board. do not intend to say tina
the School Board has not made some mis-
takes. II they have not made some errors
they are more than human. They ar,
well-known citizens of Montgomery county
of high character, and are able to NEE
any specific charges you make against them
SINGLE TERM FOR SENATOR.
There is no Democratic principle, Stat
or National. which requires that Legislative
officers be restricted to one term of ser
vice. You cite events in our county, sine
the Civil War. to establish rule for tn
county that involves no principle. As t
part of what you say, you are mistaken il
your facts. Senator Peter had the nOmi
nation from the Democratic party for three
successive terms, and was elected the frs
and last time being once defeated at thu
election by the Republican candidate. tn,
other cases you mention simply show the up
and downs of factional strife in this county
You state that Senators Peter, WOotton
Bouic and Jones were faithful, efficient
wise and worthy" Democrats. They al
asked the party for denomination ant
they certainly did not feel that they wert
violating any Democratic principle in 81
doing. never at any time. to any person
said that | would not seek a denomination
As between us, the Democratic voter
will make their choice. My principles ant
purposes to serve faithfully are well known
to them, and they will come to know you
and your record better as the cOmpaigr
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,