Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-03-10
Correspondence.
RIVER FALrs, Wis, Feb. a3d, 1870.

reg RIVER FALLS, Wis, Feb. 23d, 1870.
EDS. PREsoorr JOURNAL Now that hard
times are compelling us all to consider and
practice the most rigid retrenchment and
economy. may not the present be a favorable
moment to call the attention Of taxpayers to
7 the cost of running our County Hotel
BY looking over the lists Of bills audited
and paid by the Couaty Board of Supervisors
during the past year, as published in your
paper, it will be seen ;s!st the expenses of this
institution constitute large item in the sum
total of our current expenditures as a county.
In the last bill presented by the landlord.
Mr.. Sheriff Dickinson. is an item consisting
OF charge of five dollars per week for board
of a prisoner. a robust young man. under
sentence for petty larceny; and who, it might
seem, with possible natural repugnance to
the labor and exposure incident to obtaining
an honest living in this vigorous climate, had
thus shrewdly provided himself with comfor-
table not to say luxurious, winter quarters
and clothing at the public expense.
II seems that the board cut down this item
to four dollars per week, not however with
out a vigorous and determined resistance on
the part of the landlord. who. il we arc cor
rectly informed, thought five dollars per week
as cheap he could afford his services in this
instance.
Let us consider the facts in the case.
The county provides the Jail free of exc
pense to the Sheriff for these purposes. 1t
pays all repairs aud furnishes all clothing.
bedding. furniture. lights, water and fuel
necessary for the maintenance Of the inmates.
leaving only the cost Of the food and attend
ance upon his boarders. to be charged for by
the Sheriff % roT'd ~ iiLHh 90 ss'1tf+ +" -
During the past year the county has paid
and, we suppose. is still paying the Sheriff.
two dollars and seventy-five cents per day,
or over one thousand dollars per year for
food AND attendance, incl rding washing. fur
nished TO pauper Robinson, ain inmate to the
county Jail. 1t has also paid him for food
aud attendance. of such other criminals. pau
pers or insane as have become inmates of the
Jail. in that time at the rate of FIVE dollars or
more per week each, we believe. This
would be better income than most of us are
usually able to realize. In the past these
charges may. or may not have been unreason-
able. At present 81 per week is the price of
first class board in some very good hotels. Do
we desire to maintain our criminals at that
rate? Most ofus, who pay these bills are at
present compelled 70 house. clothe and. feed
our families alta rate not exceeding two an
lars per week, per head, many for even less
sum.
That criminals should have a sufficiency
ofwhrlesome food is not for a moment to be
denied, bus it has been Thought that this end
could be attained with very cheap and sim
pie diet in which plsin bread aud pure water
should be prominent Ingredients AT any
tate there are those who thinS that while dis
eased or insane persons may cost i2ore, Under
eristing circumstances. the food and attendance
of an ordinary healthy criminal should NOT
cost the county over two dollars per week.
A TAX PAYER.