The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1878-01-20
from Wednesdays Daily.I
The Tuscarara Jail.

SSA
The Times Reriec in its issue Of Sun.
day, in an article referring to the sub
ject of Tuscarora's claims upon the
county funds through required action
on the part Of the Commissioners, says:
There are several matters to which
we might refer to substantiaie a general
charge of unfairness or neglect. but
will only allude to one-our local jail"
That public institution is represented
as being practically useless, being I'M
provided with either bedding. or any
facility for protecting those incarcsr-
ated. from freezing. This just cause
Of compliant shorId be removed Mt
once, aud a presentation Of the facts
in the case. to the Board, would doubt
less have that effect.
The establishing Of a branch Jail TT
Tuscarora was demanded rs O pPster
OF public economy, and in order that
the county money already expended
in assisting the town to control its
turbulent element. may not prove a
valueless investment, these deicien-
cies in the necessary adjuncts to the
local lookup, should be promptly sup
piled. We commented rather harshly
and-ns We thought Mt the time-just-
ly, upon the action Of the local court.
in entailing a heavy expense upon the
county by sending to the Jail at this
place u couple Of men to serve out a
sentence OF seven days imprisonment,
when. for the very purpose Of avoiding
such unnecessary expense, q locG!
lookup had been constructed; but now
discover. that neglect to make the
building ~toItantable during the cold
weather, had rendered such course un-
avoidable.
We have no disposition to do nuy
person nh injustice, and il through q
"misconcep ion Of facts we arc led into
On error, we shall always be ready to
make every honorable amende in our
power.
But to- the Commissioners. We had
the misfortune to hold u position upon
the Bonr1 in this county, one term,
and though striving to discharge the
duties attached TO il, conscienciously
and to the best Of our ability, received,
coupled with the magnificent salary,
unlimited abuso aud the comfort Of be-
ing grossly misrepresented. The chief
trouble is, that in the minds Of q very
large majority Of citizens, the powers
vested in the Board are exaggerated
beyond all reason, and between tho de.
mands upon it by 4, individuals and
communities, and the restrictions
OF law. there is no reconciliation;
again, while ambiguity in the phrase
olosy OF some Legislative enactments
leaves 1t in doubt rs to tho legality Of
its proceedings in some instances, the
total silsnco Of tho Statutes upon other
important points. places its members
totally at sen rs to the course it il le-
Sslly entitled to pursue; in some in
"i"Hccs Requiring &So legal acumvn OF
the court OF final appeal to decide.
True. certain questions Of financial
economy are left &c the discretion OF
the Board, among which would como
the supplying Of the deficiencies in the
Tuscarora Jail, but the indisoriminate
appropriating Of money. even where
such expenditure would undoubtedly
conduce to public veal, is q power not
given to tho Commissioners; but very
little is lelt to their discretion, their
duties being prescribed by law, or as
before remarked, hnmpered by doubt, |
and il citizens would tako the pains TO
read those portions OF the statutes 70.
iating to the powers md duties OF She
Commissioners much less fault would
he found with their administration Of
county affairs. generally.