Year: 1877

the property owners in this county
have become disguised with the ap-
pearance of things here, and that
many of them think that continuing
to pay taxes is only throwing money
away. Good causes have been Civ
en- TO create this feeling.


The reckless manner in which
the funds of the county have been
used in some former years, and the
unwise policy which has been pur-
sued by some, who have had the
management of the affairs of
the county have been enough to
bring financial ruin upon any COM
munlty. Some seem TO be disposed
to grumble at the amount of tax
levied this year. l think if there is
any error in the matter it has been
In levying less than the true inter-
ests of the county demands. Ger
tain taxes levied by the town, state,
and others demanded by the Judge
ments against the county, could not
in any way be made less; and, in
addition to those amounts, the levy
will not call in the present outstand-
ing orders of the county SO far that
there will be no liability forjudgments
against the county another year,
which may demand heavy cash
tax. 1t was not pleasant duty
tor the supervisors to levy heavy
tax, but it could not be avoided
with any prospect of being in bet
ter condition next year. Now, ]
think the true policy is to cut off all
unnecessary expenses and avoid
issuing orders on the treasury as
much as possible until we have
secured a better financial standing.
When this is done we may levy
low tax and our affairs will become
prosperous.


We have had too many men in
our county who have been mere
hangers-on in one way and another
to secure living. I am glad now
that this is not the case to any
great extent, but that during the
past year there has been a COM
mendable effort on the part of most
to secure living outside Of depen-
dence on the town and county. IF
Douglas county is the good mew
mitch cor which By some one she
has been represented to be, hereat-
ter she must be MIXED in some
other way than through her treas
ury.


Every man should now begin to
lay his plans for his occupation and
employment during the next season.
If We can live and support our
families here, it must be By extract
ing our means of living mainly from
the soil, and the sooner, and more
directly, and euergetics lily we give
ourselves to this employment the
better it viii be for US. Let no one
think OF getting employment at the
public expense or giving any further
attention to political matters than
may be necessary to secure a just
and economical administration Of
affairs.


Honest men may consent to serve
in public affairs, but when men
seek for, and are over anxious to
obtain such places, it is generally
good evidence that they have some
selfish purpose, and can not be
safely trusted with public affairs.


As to the way out of our present
difficulties: There must be pulling
together; there will be diversities of
opinion as to the best policy to pur-
sue, but there must be some policy
or nothing can be done. And a
policy which is not absolutely the
best, may succeed well if it is faith
fully followed. An honest man will
adopt the course which he thinks is
best, and when it is fairly tried If it
does not succeed he will be ready
to modify or change it, as new light
comes or circumstances change; but
any man is a poor citizen of COM
munity who is not willing to sacri-
fee something of his own present
personal advantage to secure a far
greater public advantage.


We must look our situation
squarely in the face, ami make the
best provision we can for what is