The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-08-01
new PLANS
For Fiscal Court Discussed by County
Attorney Rees.

A question that is occupying the
Iattention of the voters and taxpayers
Of Mason county at the present time
and causing them more or less con-
Germ is the manner of the administra-
ton of the Fiscal affairs of the coun-
ty. No doubt the greatest contribut-
ing cause to the dissatisfaction that
exists is the condition of our turnpike
roads. No one denies the very evident
fact that the roads of the county are
not in as good state of repair as they
were five or ten years ago. l presume
that every one realizes that a portion
at least of their deterioration is due to
the increased amount of traffic during
that period, and especially the greatly
increased traffic during the tobacco
season each winter, at time when the
roads are most easily damaged. Not
'withstanding this, there is feeling
that the public funds are not expend-
ed as efficiently as they might be. !
have never heard any one accuse any
member of the present Fiscal Court Of
dishonesty, and from my personal ac-
cuaintance with them | know that all
OF them are men of integrity. How
ever, it is not my purpose in this ar
ticle to defend or criticize the con-
duct OF any individual or set OF in
dividuals, but to criticize a system
that is cumbersome and antlquated,
and to suggest the adoption of a sys-
TEN that l believe will prove an i'm
provement over the present one. The
trouble is not with the personnel Of
the court, but with the system itself.
At present the Fiscal Court is com
posed Of the various magistrates, or
Justices of the Peace of the County.
and the County Judge. There are
eight Magisterial districts in Mason
County, and, as each magistrate Is
only voted for in his own district, con-
sequently each voter has voice in
the election of only one-eighth OF the
court. A magistrate instead Of be-
ing answerable to the voters of the
entire county for his acts is answer
able only TO his own constituents, and
the result is an encouragement OF log
rolling methods i'm making appropria-
tons of the public funds. 1t is only
natural that a man should endeavor to
secure as many benefits as possible
for his own district Another serious
defect in the present system is the fact
that the members Of the Fiscal Court,
being also Justices of the Peace, are
invested by law with Jurisdiction OF
petty civil and criminal cases. This
feature of the Office reduces the num-
Der of desirable men that might 9TH
erwise offer their services in the man
agement Of the fiscal affairs OF the
county. The duties incident to the Of
Nv VI - SuoeANV VI IAC CaCC al y ~ n
some and annoying to many business
men and, in fact. render II impossible
for many men to accept the Office of
At each election II be-
comes necessary in many districts to
najolo and beg representative men to
run for the office.
The taxes collected each year I'm Ma
son County amount to approximately
$50. 10000. including the schoo; tax,
and the efficient expenditure OF this
sum Of money requires not only high
degree OF business ability on the part
u che me mbers of the Fiscal Court but
D close personal supervision by them
u the ahairs OF the county. This SUI
peryision VIII never be secured under
ns,prerant syHtem, and not until less