Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-09-15

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Mn Epiron The subject Of a new
Jail appears TO be engaging the atten.
ton Of many Of the taxpayers Of this
county, aud ] am Of the opinion that
Il IA proper that the question of loca.
ton should be fully and fairly Jis.
cussed. IL Is question in which the
whole number Of taxpayers in the
county are interested some more,
some less, accordingto the amount OF
money they are BY law compelled to
pay towards deiraying the expenses
Of the county machine, as il IS fire.
quently called, which has run with
great l7pidity, yet with great weight
upon it for number Of years past.
This has not been the fault Of the peo-
pic, nor are VIC prepared TO say where
the fault lies; it is enough to know
that new question is before us, in
which the people Of the county should
have say about the proper location
of the new Jail. Your correspondent
does not desire to lash the waves into
fury, for ut most he could but watt
a feather or perhaps but drown fly.
We might, pcradvcnture, frighten a
few, say two or three at most, if we
were disposed, but we do not propose
TO do il at this time, from tho fact that
We might possibly come in contact
with "a mass Of concreted, earthly or
mineral matter, and we are told that
ono Stephen Of old came to his death
by being brought in contact with
mineral matter We might again be
accused Of looking after IN occupation
which was said years ago, by some
wise man or wng,to have fed. Not
soj VIC merely propose looking at the
question fairly, and il we eau show
any good reasons for our views of the
case, then we ask a careful considcra-
tion of the matter. The people being
materially interested in saving money
in tho erection Of the new Jail, which
is a praise. worthy institution Of the
board Of Commissioners, as building
of the kind is very much needed. !
understand that u majority Of the
Commissioners are in favor of build
ing the new Jail upon the lot Oh which
the old one stands. Is il policy to do
so ? Let US calcula a little, for any
one can make thc necessary calcula-
tion. The proper drainage from the
present site to the river, the shortest
possible distance, will, according 10
calculations made by practical en-
gineors, cost, WHOM complete, five
thousand six hundred dollars. 1t will
require two years to complete the
building. During these two years
convicts and prisoners must be kept
in the prison Of an adjoining county,
which will cost two thousand dollars
per annnm, (as shown by the amount
paid by other counties in which the
convicts were fewer than in this,
which would amount 10 four thousand
dollars which, with the cost Of drain
age, would be nine thousand six hun.
dred dollars. Then again, the lots
upon which the old Jail stands can be
sold for eight thousand dollars, and
several purchasers at that; while Gov.
Biglcr, / am rredibly informed, will
sell his point lot, near the end Of the
new bridge, for four thousand dollars,
which location is a suitable one, and
Immediately upon tho bank of the
river, where il will cost comparatively
little for perfect drainage; is higher
ground and plenty of roomj whereas
the Old cite is small and very low.
BY purchasing this site and selling
the old one, four thousand dollars OF a
difference will be realized being in
drainage, keeping Of conviets and pris-
oners, (ior il is obvious that they can.
oct be lssrt be-a -while building upon
the old site, and the difference iu the
price of the lncation. The sum of
thirteen thousand six hundred dollars
saved to the taxpayers OF the county,
and beside the advantages of the loca-
ton upon the bank of the river, il is
much more secure from fire, and good
soft water can be drawn by suction
pumps Into any part of the prison.
These, Mr.. Editor, are but few of
the adyantagcs-many more could be
eDumerated-but these-will answer for
tho present, and until some champion
for the old site show some good reason |
for not changing. ] have had a con
with Mr.. Shalner, of the |
board of Commissioners, and he is in |
favor Of a change of site, and advances
some good reasons why the change |
should be made The other Commits |
sioners | have not had the pleasure
Of meeting, and cannot therefore speak |
us to their views upon the
subject, and cannot pre- judge their
action in the matter. | have written
Lhese few lines for the ostensibIe pur-
pose Of calling into life and subieetion
hat which may be TO the interest OF
The whole tax paying people of the
not TO dictate to the author
tics in the county, but for the pur-
pose above indicated.
Hoping that this may resume that
to which it is entitled,
and that only.
AN INQUIRER
An ACcfnrnr On Gafu.1a,. o,.or