The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1913-12-06
BAD BOOKKEEPING

THE WHIG'S recent editorial reference
to the great increase in our county ex-
penditures, and the necessity of some in
1elligent effort to discuss the reason for
the same, has elected some curious COM
ment from the Cecil County News. The
News, being wholly unable to view any
subject from anything but partisan
standpoint, starts off with the mysterious
lis evidently beginning the campaign of
1914 thus early" Turn over brother
you are on your back you ale dreaming
strange dreams and they have got you
TO talking in your sleep. What campaign
is there in 1914, in which our county ex-
penditures are involved or for which the
Editor of the WING needs to prepare by
any discussion of these affairs? We must
confess that We hardy expected even the
news TO so braZenly trade on the ignor-
ance OF its readers as to pronounce a
present discussion of our county eXpendi-
lures preparation for the campaign of
1911.
We only alluded to this, the News first
step toward setting the WIG straight,
to snow what foolishness IL really can
talk when its partisan mind gets to work
on our public affairs. The thing we are
seriously after, in noticing the News
comment at ALL is its exhibition of book
Keeping. IT, says the News, you will ELI
inmate a few of the countys fixed
charges (Which are none the less fixed),
and If you will reckon out the county's
promissory notes (Which are none the less
debts due and payableD, if you will do
these and a few more things like them,
you can figure down the county's expen-
ditures' right considerable. Why, GER
tainly, my dear s.r; keep on along your
line and you can figure the couniy's ex-
penditures down to nothing. But that
sort OF figuring does not help the situa-
ton any and brings no Intelligent effort
TO reduce the expenditures or lower the
tax rate.
Neither does that sort of figuring fur
nish very gratifying exhibition of book
Keeping. But it is the sort of book keep
ing which the News has learned fl ON its
long and close association with the Com
missioners' office, BECAUSE 1T is THE
SORT OF BOOK KEEPING WHICH PRE-.
Walls IN THAT OFFICE
anu mere IS, we say again, our real rea-
son for noticing the News comments al
all; because it gives us an opportunity to
emphasize our contention that the book
Keeping which characterizes the fiscal de-
pa1tment of our county government is a
disgrace to an enlightened people. We
make bold to say that one of the most
crying needs of this county is a clearing
out of that whole department and the in
stallation of an intelligent and efficient
business system
we are not raising any personal con-
troversy in making this statement. We
are only too ready to admit that it is the
SYSTEM which is at fault-AND THE
SYSTEM Is WHAT OUGHT TO RE
CLEANED OUT ROOT AND BRANCH
That Commissioners Office Counting the
1reasurer's office as a part thereof ough.
TO be reorganiaed from the founda,i ion M.
And until it is, this county can never
nope for any bus ness like. efficient man.
agement of its affairs. The Editor of the
NHlG is perfectly willing to declare that
inns is one of the jobs which he has set
for himself in the next Legislature and If
ne does not accomplish it, it will be be-
cause his colleagues reuse to Cooperate
with him.