Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-02-26
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY as, ls74.
Shall the County have . New Jaila

Shall the County have . New Jails
Our readers win see in another column,
the order Of the County Commissioners.
calling upon the several towns In the Coun-
ty to vote at their next annual meeting,
in favor of, or against. authorizing the
Commissioners to make loan for the
purpose of building q new Jail.
As many of the voters are probably ignor-
ant of the true condition OF the old Jail, and
the necessity for new one, ii may be well
to state for their information. the facts in
relation to the same.
The present jail was built in 1888, and
is consequently &c years old; since that
time few repairs or improvements have
been made. 1t is now old, uncomfortable,
Insecure, and unfit for the occupancy OF
human beings. Its rooms for poor debtors
are damp, cherries, unhealthy apart
ments, hazardous to the health and lives OF
its unfortunate inmates, while its cells for
criminals are still worse. more resembling
torture pens for the infection of pain.
than place of confinement and restraint.
They are SO dark. that in broad day. a
prisoner cannot see TO read. They are so
cold, that prisoners are often obliged to lie
in bed to keep them warm, and so badly
ventilated, that they are continually filled
with offensive and noxious smells. They
are unprovided with any OF the appliances
requisite tor the convenience. even the
decencies of civilized life. In addition to
these defects, the Jail Is insecure as the
frequent escapes for the last tweoty years
abundantly prove. Ii is believed that quite
one quarter OF the prisoners have within
that space OF time succeeded in breaking
jail. The construction of this Jail i.
such. that all the criminals are necessarily
confined together, thus bringing in contact
the young and comparatively innocent
with the most depraved and hardened in
sin,-and there is no opportunity within
its walls for employment, improvement
or instruction. If the above are facts. THU
prison as 4 reformatory, or industrial
institution. is miserable failure, unworthy
the times in which we live, and the intelli.
gent progressive people of Hancock
County.
AS confirmation of the truth Of what we
have written. We refer 10 the Hon. Board
OF County Commissioners for the last l.
years, 10 whose particular charge jail.
are by law given; TO the several keeper,
OF the Jail for the last 20 years; TO III,
Grand Jury OF $50, who after n careful
examination OF the premises. recommend.
ed the County Com'rs of that year to build
new Jail, and lastly. to the report Of Hon.
Rufus Prince, who was appointed by the
Legislature Of ls73. to make a personal
examination of the several jails within the
state. and make report thereon. and who
we are informed. did inspect this jail and
reported II the Doorer, and tcora in n.
State. And if more evidence is needed BIZ
any unbelieving Thomas. Jailer Devereu,
VIII lock him up at our expense for thirty
days, aud then if he does not vote for !,
new jail, he is welcome to stay there for
life.
The Statute gives TO County Commits
sioners authority TO build jails in two WAYS
Let, BY making an estimate of its prob.
able expense, transmitting the same to the
sec. OF State, who lays the same before
the next Legislature. If the Legislator re
approves and authorizes the same. then n
uirect Tax for the whole sum Is at once
assessed on the several towns of the Coun-
~, and collected like other taxes.
WIN the necessity existing in this
county for new Jail. and the report OF
one oil It's own officers before them. IL can.
not be doubtful what action the Legisla
ture would take in the premises.
HE other course authorized, and the one
which this present Board of Commissioner.
has IN our opinion wisely adopted. is Ia
OBTAIN authority from the voters of the
County 10 make loan for term OF wears
Tor the purpose specified. The County /.
now free of debt, aud the loan payable a,
different times. through twenty years, will
bear lightly on the tax payers. The obiec,
Is worthy one, its necessity imperative
and IN our opinion the time is favorable
as with the present abundance of none,
III the market, a loan could be easily and
cheaply obtained
We have above endeayored to presen,
TINS subject as fairly and as exactly as We
could We forbear TO urge any one tc
vote Tor the measure. unless il commend,
Itself to his judgment, as a wise, prudent
and desirable act, always bearing in mind
the best interests of the county, both
present and prospective.