The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-01-23
CITY OF EVANSVILLE.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, ::.:::::::JAN. 90

CITY OF EVANSVILLE.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, ::.::::::JAN. %.
OTThe Editor was absent yesterday in at
tendance at the Princeton Convention, conse-
quently ne is not responsible for any delin-
quencies in to-day's paper.
Mr. Roquet---The Court House, and the County
Commissioners.
Whenever a matter of general interest is
sprung on the public, nearly every individual
member of the public, at once shows his high
appreciation of his dear privileges by express
ing opinions and circulating reports in rela-
ton to the matter, whether he really knows
anything about it or not In this way the
public mind is frequently forestalled, and per-
sons involved, receive injustice: However
honest persons may be in their convictions
however Jealous in the protection of public
interest; there is a certain degree of discrin-
ination necessary sometimes to be used, al
though it may seen to dictate compromise, or
concession.
Some will allow their political, sectional,
national and even their religious views and
prejudices to influence them in their consider
ations, in matters pertaining not in the least
degree to either; this is all wrong-wrong-
very wrong.
But to the subject. A few weeks since, our
Court House and county offices were destroy
ed by fire; and before the flames were extin-
oil +o tho
where shall the loss fall? We do not propose
here to enter into an investigation of Mr..
Roquet's personal liability, according to the
strict letter of the law; and as to his securi-
ties we presume no one will question that
their liability, long since ceased to exist.
At the time the Court House was destroyed
Just at period when Mr.. Rs. brightest hopes
were to be realized or blasted, we find the
hand of affliction laid sorely upon him, pros
trated by malignant disease and entirely I'M
able, even to give directions concerning his
business If Mr.. R. was still under the term
of the contract; if the long and entire occupan
cy ofthe buildings by the county, and if the
acts of the Board of Commissioners outside o
the contract had not determined his liability
the disaster could not have occurred at
more unfortunate juncture But we do no
wish merely to present case for public sym
pathy. Neither R. nor any of his friends
asked for this. The question is, would it b.
just to visit the contractor with heavy pen
alty-which would entail certain ruin on hi
family, already weighed down by an accumu
tation of misfortunes-for what had occurred
without his fault or dereiiction. Every maj
who has a soul will at once answer, No! LIE
the Court House be repaired or RECONSTRUCTED
by the county; the expense will not be felt.
One strong argument in favor of the imme
date reparation of the buildings by the coun
ty, is the present situation of the records. Tn
county offices are scattered about in very in
convenient places, and the clerks Office par
ticularly is so situated that in the event of
fire, every thing must inevitably be lost. Sup
pose now that the Board of Commissioners
in spite of the great interests which are now i
jeopardy, and will be every day until prope
provision is made-should notify Mr.. Rogue
to proceed to rebuild the Court House an
upon his decling to comply should undertak
to enforce measures by a legal inquistion; W
ask how long-and we put the question t
reasonable thinking men-how long will it b
before you can have any assurance of the safe
ty Of those evidences of your title to real
personal estate, and those judicial orders, VI
on which you rely to enforce and protect you
rights and how long will you be compelled t
wait, before the slow creeping law has explore
the almost interminable labyrinth, that pre-
sents itself in contemplation of this course
The soonest way is the cheapest. That POI
ton of the community on whom would re:
the burthen of the expense, have already sig
nified not only their willingness but their d.
sire that the work of rebuilding should be ;
once commenced by the county. And man
would rather see the work advance, like man
other works of public enterprise, by individl
al contribution, than that this blow shall fal
with its fatal effect on the heed Of Mr.. Rogue
Incog at the Spirits.
We give place to-day to another commun
cation from "Incog." We must ask for Ii