The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-01-26
Committees VS. County Commissioner.


To the Editor of The Republican,
The recent controversy between a
/ committee of our citizens and the
Board Of County Commissioners over
/ the purchase by the Commissioners of
certain machinery to be used in the
/ building and maintaining of county
roads, is not a matter which can be
passed over lightly by the taxpayers
of the county. The taxpayer should,
however, be fair in his estimate of the
matter and in his criticism of the
parties to the controversy and in any
conclusion which he may arrive at.
/ 1t would seem that in the contro-
versy, thus far, the very essential
features of the case have not appeared
in any discussion, thus far heard The
essential feature and fundamental fact
to be considered in any case, if we
would arrive at a reasonable and i'm
partial conclusion, is the motive, or
motives prompting the actors on both
sides of the question. 1t is obvious
| that the acts of every rational indi-
vidual are prompted by some motive
Likewise it is true that when several
individuals work together in a group,
whether it be a committee of citizens,
or a board Of county commissioners,
their acts are backed by some motive,
evident, or Interior. A..
The committee, then, in this case,
was actuated by some motive, or mo-
tives. We cannot be unfair to that
group of gentlemen, nor to any ind-
vidual member of it, if we consider
the motives that are possible in this
and similar cases. There might be
disappointed office seekers, who
wished to establish themselves anew in
the condolences of the people There
might be disgruntled politicians, who
desired to obtain some dissatisfaction
by discrediting official and other more
successful politicians. There might be,
in such ceses, certain individuals, who
had personal grievances against some
one, or all of the officials whom they
criticized, and there might linger some
where in a group of citizens the hope
that by securing the impeachment of
an official, they might by chance, or
political manipulations, fall into the
vacancy. These are all possible mo-
tives, none can say that they are the
correct ones, but they are the pos
sible ones.
In the case of the County Commits
sioners, there seems fewer possible
motives to consider 1t does not seem
possible that by purchasing a con-
siderable number of road working
machinery, they could gather any
financial benefit for themselves. 1t is
not thinkable that any Board of Coun-
ty Commissioners could hope by such
an act to advance their political am
billions unless they were reasonably
certain that their plan for paying the
bill, without additional taxation, would
be workable. Other possible situations
might be considered, but it certainly
does seem reasonable to believe that
in this case the Board of County Com
missioners had but one motive and
that was to serve the best interests of
the citizens of the county, and they
must certainly have believed, after
careful study Of the situation, that
they could accomplish just that.
Should not, therefore, the citizens
of the county remember that they by
their votes elected three gentlemen to
serve them as Board of County Com
missioners, and that by that very act
they implied confidence in their quail
fications and they should continue to
repose that confidence in them by CO.
operating with them, Withholding all
unwarranted criticism or condemna-
ton, until the conduct of their office
has proven that they deserve it.
That the county roads, in many sec
lions of the county, have been grossly
neglected, is well known and undis-
putable fact and if the Board of Coun-
ty Commissioners can improve the
roads in the county, as they predict
that they can, they will be performing
a great service to their constituents.
If they fail, when they have failed, it
will be the time to condemn, not now.
Let those citizens who now enjoy
the conveniences and advantages of
improved roads not cry out loudly
against the interests of their brothers
who have not these advantages, re-
membering that the man who has lived
along a deplorably bad dirt road all
his life, helped to pay for the good
roads that he enjoys. 1t is all just
this-be fair in your judgment, spar
ing in your criticism, and give the
Board of County Commissioners al
chance to prove their wisdom and
worth.
A CITIZEN OF BITTINGER. !