Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-04-07
THE COUNTY JAZZ.

EDIToRs COURIER: Last week you
saw At to give gloomy pen-picture
of tho dismal accommodations of our
county Jail. and called upon us to
remedy tho matter. Now, while we
are in session, we subscribe this article
and ask you to do us the justice which
will h.rliv counterbalance the injus-
ticc already inflicted by your article
upon us the Board of Supervisors
Ifyour reporter had taken half the
paine TO examine the law which he ex-
pended in looking up tho items for
the aforesaid article, he would scarce.
~ have blundercd into the error Of
holding us accountable for the direful
appearance of the county "quay." So
far as the law allows us to 60 in the
matter appropriations for the clean
liness and good condition of county
property, we have cheerfully voted,
and In many instances, as you are well
aware, brought down the condemna-
ton Of many who thought the expcn-
diture extravagsnt. You, also, know
that We submitted the question OF
levying . tax for the purpose of
purchasing ground upon which at
some future time, 10 erect public
buildings-and how did It faro ?--not
not more than one.sixth of the votes
In favor OF the proposition. You also
know--and II not, why not p-that the
Board Of Supervisors cannot, lawful
~, appropriate q sufficient sum to
erect . new jail, nor even sufficient to
place the present affair in good repair,
and that, If they could, there 10 not
sufficient ground upon which to en-.
large.
Now we desire to call your attention,
and OF your readers, to the law, to-
wit: Secs. 4,724, 4,727, 4,729, 4,73O,
473l, 4,732, and especially 4,735, Of
the Code of Iowa, 1873, in which 1t
will be seen that the Board Of Super
visors are not mentioned excepting
once and that in the last section
cited, which section the Board of Sn-
pervisors hold themselves in readi-
ness to comply with to the very lot
ter.
II you desire to do justice, we re-
spectfully request you to publish the
sections Of law above cited, or, II not
asking too much, please publish the
whole Of 1t, from the commencement
Of sec. ,723 TO the termination Of sec.
4,743 inclusive.
SAMUEL McCrLLouGH,
ID. II. MICHAEL,
8. N. WRYGHT.
6HCIloy H2t. 1t 10 the duty Of the keeper Of
me a 2, ne county 70 zee sh; the same !:
and nS must pay strict attention to the personal
daily with as much clean water a. may be neces-
sary for drink and for personal cleanliness, and
with clean towel and shirt once . week, and
some food, which must be well cooked, and in
sun1cient quantity.
SEC. <725. The sheriff Of the county must keen
ted 70 any Prison under bis care, which calendar
must contain the names Of all persons who are
committed, their place Of abode, the time OF their
commitment, the authority that Committed them,
and description OF their person; AMI when any
prisoner u liberated, snch calendar must state the
alton took place and II any person escape, It must
state particularly the time and manner Of such es-
SIC. 479s. At the opening of each term Of the
district court within his county, the sheriff must
return copy Of such calendar under his hand to
the Judge Of such court and II any sheriff neglect
exceeding ono hundred dollars.
6Ho. 47S1. The keeper of each jail must furnish
oS e, 6eadins slStans fuel and medical
accurate account OF the same.
SEC 4.xs. Wheneveri BY reason Of any Jail be-
nG on nre, OF any building contiguous or near to
that the prisoners confined In such jail may DO in
1ared or endangered thereby, the sheriff or keeper
Oh ancn 1au may. 9, his discretion. remove such
sAere them 20 long a. may he necess.rg VI; 10
avoid such danger.
INSPECTORS OF JAILs.
SEC. 47q9. In each county OF this state, the
inspectors Of the jals respectively, and have pow
Or, from time TO time, to visit and Inspect the
same, and inquire into all matters connected with
me government, discipline. ssd police OF such
sac. t7a0 It is the duty Of such inspectors to
vlsit and inspect such prisons twice each year.
and at the next district court which 10 thereafter
neld 10 thelr county. TO present to such court On
the ret day OF Its sitting, detailed report OF the
condition OF such prisons at the time Of such In
Spsction.
SEC. A7sl. Such report must state the number OF
persons confined In such prison, and for what
cause respectively. the number Of persons usually
confined In O0e room, the distinction, II any.
the evils II any, found 20 exist In such prisons
and particularly whether any provisions Of THU
chapter have been violated or neglected, and the
causs OF such viOlstion or neglect.
SIC. 47S2. The keepers of such prisons shall adj
init the said inspectors, or any OF them, into any
part OF such prisons. to exhibit to them on demand
all the books, papers. documents, and accounts
pertaining to the prison or to the prisoners con.
lined therein, and to render them every other IA.
clity IN their power to enable them to discharge
the duties above described.
SEC. 4735. All charges and expenses OF safe
keeping, and maintaining convicts and persons
charged with public ohenses and committed fol
examination or trial to the county fail, shail be
paid from the county treasury, the accounts there
for being first settled and allowed BY the board Of
The Ladies