Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-10-28
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2s, 1915.
A Reply And Promise.

In last weeks issue we called at
tention to the candidates running for
Register of Wills and asked the spe-
cific question as to what they would
do if elected concerning taking money
from the County with which to run
the office.
Mr.. Francis J. Newman answers
this in a straightforward letter as well
as a general statement both OF which
appear in this issue of the Clarion.
We have no further comment to
make in the premises as the matter
is now before the public to choose
and decide as they think best.
In this connection it is our opinion
that every newspaper in the county
(including the Clarion) fails to pro-
perly perform it's public duty when
it comes down to Sitting the vari-
Gus candidates. Every candidate
should be made to express himself on
matters affecting the public and if he
intends to properly perform his pub
lie duty he will not hesitate to answer
any question freely and frankly, but
if you leave the matter drift, you
have the candidates unpledged except
as to their party platform" which
amounts to very little. Put the in
dividual on the stand and ask him
the direct question. If he is a cand-
idate for Judge of the Orphans Court
ask him if he will sit more than two
days each week as a regular thing;
ask the County Commissioner how he
stands on Improvements, if he will
make excessive mileage, if he will
favor the LeGore bridge, etc; ask
the Clerk if he will fill his office with
more clerks than it takes to run the
office; ask the Register of Wills and
Clerk if they will perform the service
and do the work that the Constitu-
ton requires of them, or if they will
just be there once or twice week
and on pay day" and the balance
of the time be away attending to
their private business.
We acknowledge that we have not
done our full public duty but unless
the newspapers as body agree that
this is the thing to do small country
newspaper cannot undertake to chrys-
tallize sentiment outside of the com
munity which it serves. Come on
newspapers, lets wake up.
Mr.. Newman's reply to our ques-
ton is as follows:
To the Editor of the CLARION:
note that your last weeks issue
of the Clarion had an editorial in which
you asked the question as to what the
candidates now seeking the office OF
Register of Wills, proposed to do with
reference to taking money from the tax
payers with which to run the office.
As the Democratic candidate. l beg to
inform you that addressed an open COM
munication to the voters and taxpayers
of Frederick county, previous to the ap-
pearance of your Editorial, in which
have outlined my position on this quest
ion. This article appears in this issue OF
your paper.
do not see that l can answer your
question more fully than l have done ir
this article, except to assure you, anc
the readers of your valuable paper, that
if am elected to this office, that l will
not demand or take cent of money from
the taxpayers of the county with which
to run this office, as stated by me in my
letter.
shall be happy indeed to follow thu
splendid examples and high standards
set by DR.. James X. Waters, a former
Register of Wills. and Mr.. Samuel D
Thomas, the present incumbent, both o.
whom have received and merited mucl
public commentator.
desire to thank you for giving mi
the opportunity of answering you
question.
Very truly yours,
FRANCIS j. NEWMAN