Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1916-02-24

Where IN this issue. carrying, as II Goes, al
bonded debt Of $4,000, it merits the very
serious consideration Of our taxpayers.
The first consideration, therefore, is to de-
terrnine whether or not the taxpayers are will
ing at this time, when financial conditions mi
the state and county necessitate the greatest
economy, to assume so great an obligation. II eI
view expressed, in no uncertain terms, by the
taxpay ers assembled for the purpose Of discuss
ing the question at Morganza, on Saturday
last, was most emphatically opposed to any
bonded debt ali present. The $4,000 reve-
nue. from the liquor franchise tax, beng no
longer available and the uncertainty OF our be-
ing able to meet an advance OF any considerable
amount in taxes, until we are in position to do
so, without serious inconvenience, are among
the reasons assigned by some Of our taxpayers
for opposing the measure.
IRON practically all quarters is the insistent
demand that should the bill be passed by the
Legislature referendum be attached, enabling
the taxpayers to accept or reject it. his de-
mand seems in keeping with the view OF a great
majority, that on questions OF so vital import
ance the people should have direct say. The
power Of life and death over all the roads,
where they shall be built or repaired, and what
amount each section shall have allotted, is CON
sldered by some, as leaving a safeguard to all
sections in the hands Of loo few, and who, un-
der the bill, could be chosen from one section,
Or with view Of spending an unequal amount
in some special section, to the exclusion OF other
sections
We don't pretend to assume that such a
condition will arse, but under the provisions OF
the bill, as is stands, such condition could pre-
vsI TIicreARTe those who are opposed to the
multiplicity Of Offices, who rather incline to the
suggestion, that as many departments as posi-
bic should be abolished and the work where
ever feasible, be attended TO in one department.
The expense Of the proposed commission could
be very large The chairmans salary Of
$6OO00 plus the compensation to the secre-
tary, who must keep the roads commission Office
open from 9 in the morning until in the after
noon, could not be much less than 100000
the year and the stationary, fuel and light would
amount to not much less than $4,000, then
add to these charges whatever number OF days
the two associates would make at $3.50 per
day each, and the engineers salary Of 81 200,
besides the compensation Of legal adviser,
authorized by the bill, the expenses Of the COM
mission could be nearly $4,000 year. Some
Of our people consider the expenditure Of so
great an amount unadvisable.
qf the bonds are issued as they can be
under the provisions Of the bill and remain on
ntefest for a period Of 20 years before redemp-
ton the total principal and interest will amount
TO 100000, and if this sum is spent in 6
yeats. as it can be under the provisions Of the
bill the proportion for one year Of the SIX would
represent fifty thousand dollar expenditure,
twenty-five thousand dollars Of which would
Be an interest charge and approximately four
thousand dollars commission expenses twenty
nine thousand dollars 81 costs to do twenty one
thousand dollars Of work is rather big under
taking.
The power Of the commission to fill yacan-
cies should any occur. ins,Ires the policy of the