Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1916-02-17

+. and authorizing a bonded debt Of $l5O,OOO
I for the building and maintenance of roads. AS
it has been impossible for us to procure the text
of the bill, we are unable to discuss its proyis-
ions with any degree Of accuracy, but there are
a few basic principals that it were well to duly
consider before we commit ourselves to an obli-
CATION Of SO great magnitude.
The creation of a road commission, it seems
to US, is strangely at variance with a program OF
economy, and the obligation Of paying interest
and providing sinking fund for S 10000 up
on our basis Of not quite five million dollars all
ready highly taxed, calls loudly for all the
economy we can muster to our assistance. he
salaries OF the commissioner there are to be
three, we are told--is placed at $500 for the
chairman and $3.50 per day for the associates
Should the associates collect FOR, say 200 work
ing days, the commission would total a yearly
cost to the county Of 5000, which is quite a
large sum to pay for amateur ideas, especially
when the services Of an expert road builder
could be had at far more economical expend-
iture Again the commission has---we do not
know the gentlemen comprising it---no greater
knowledge Of road building than have the
County Commissioners. under whose manage
ment the supervisors Of the several districts have
made a rather remarkable showing for the
amount Of money that has been spent
] he necessity for economy is quite beyond
discussion, for, as we have stated again and
again. the amount Of the liquor franchise tax,
which was $4,000 and which was apportion-
ed nearly equally between county roads and
county schools, is no more obtainabIe, and if the
sclloUifs need more money and the roads are to
have $4,000 benefits for which the taxpay-
ers are called upon TO pay S $500 interest
charges and have also 10 redeem, it is obvious
that the taxpayers face the proposition Of ras-
ing 1867, 500 In the next twenty-five years
upon basis which at present is $4,879000,
besides meeting the other county charges that
are usually included in the levy
The above calculation is based upon infor-
nation to the effect that the bonds are 10 be
issued In series Of $4,000, redeemable in 5
year periods and are to bear 5 per cent interest.
Can ST. Mary's taxpayers afford so great an
expenditure Can we afford an inexpert COM
mission at a salary Of 5000 yearlyp Think
it over Are the taxpayers willing that such
bill be passed by the Legislature and becomel
an obligation on their a5sessable property with
out having had an opportunity Of expressing
their views upon its feasibility Other peoples
exercise the right to accept or reject bond issues
and mortgages. Aren't we entitled to that
much consideration, or must we be rushed mad
IL into proposition that will cost US $262-
500 without knowing definitely where we stand
as regards our ability to repay Of at what sacri-
6cep Where are the roads 10 be built, is al
consideration, toop All the people are to help
pay the cost hence they should Be entitled toI
the benefits that are to accrue. The question:
is important
ST. Mary's county is far too fine a place IN
which to live for Us to run the grave risk Of
having the gaunt skeleton Of hunger and want
stalk through our thinly-peopled gardens 81
plenty Our tax rate Is already high, and i'll
the contemplated bonded debt is placed on the
debit side Of our accounts, the ways and means
Il 49, L.