The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-12
SUPPORT OF THE POOR AND CRIMINAL
EXPENSES

Within Il rev uays-uurlng the past week
we beieye-two men were arrested and
placed in confinement within the Rutland
county Jail, by virtue of mttimuses issued
by justice of the peace for the non pay
ment of fines and costs. The "crime" of
one of these men was that of having jug
OF intoxicating liquor in his house, where
on was predicated a complaint, and con-
viction thereon, for keeping intoxicating
liquors with intent to sell, the fine being
ten dollars and costs, the usual sum. There
may have been, too, a complaint and con-
viction for intoxcation if 30, there was
an additional fine of five dollars and costs
The crime of the other man was intoxi-
cation, and his fine and costs were of the
usual amounts. Such were the offenses
for which these men are now confined in
the Rutland county Jail, and for which
they are deprived of all opportunity of la
boring for the support of themselves and
families. These are not new convictions.
The "crimes" were committed, and the
men convicted therefor, some six months
ago. During all of this time, these men
have been permitted to go at large-and they
have made the best of use of their liberty,
in quiet industry and the support of their
families thereby. During that time, they
have not been molested and, as we are in
formed, no determined effort has been
made to collect the fines and costs-cer-
tainly the mode usually resorted to has not
been tried. Why, just at this particular
season of the year when their services are
the most needed by their families, are they
deprived of all opportunity of labor? Why
is il, that during certain portions of the
year these ''convicts' are suffered to go at
large, unmolested, only to be arrested and
confined in Jail at the approach Of certain
specified seasons? These questions are be-
ing asked by our citizens, and some are un-
charitable enough to suggest that the ap-
proach of a term of court, whereat fees
are allowed, makes all the difference in the
world. But 1t cannot, of course, be so 1t
is only laudable ambition, coming on two
or three times year, to see that all laws
are faithfully executed.
Whatever may have been the object of
enforcing the payment of the fine and costs
at this time, the result has been to throw
two women and fourteen children on the
town for support. We do not propose to
consider the Humanitarian or charitable
view of the case, for that will readily sug-
gest itself, but we desire to call attention
TO the practical dollars and cents view of
the matter Two weeks ago, these two
men were laboring, and by their industry,
supported themselves and families. 1t may
have been II scanty support, but it was q
support. The action of the officers of the
law has resulted in what? Two men have
been withdrawn from labor, and are now
supported by the state at an expense OF
three dollars and fifty cents per week each,
while two women and fourteen children
are to be fed, warmed and clothed at the
expense OF the town, averaging, at small
estimate, come twenty dollars week. In
two weeks, ii not one, these extra expepses
will amount to the fines and costs, and
there is hardly probability that the latte,
will ever be paid. There is not even a pos
sibility, unless the town Of Rutland stepl
in and pays it, in order that the lator OF
the two men may be obtained and the towr
relieved of the support of their families
How much economy is there in this Ii
one view, considerable. For the amount
of the fine and costs is only about the SAME
as a week or two's expense in the care o
the men and their families. Conceding the