Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1879-01-18
and Property I'm Cheboygan?
To the Editor Of the NoRrasRn TRrBuNs:

Isn't 1t about time that the people Of
this county took some isteres. in regard
to new jail? The recent daring rescue
of the prisoner Moore from the Orthless
building used 10 confine prisoners is
only another Illustration Of the folly of
deferred action in this matter. This bold
defiance OF the law, almost unhe;ird of
in civilized community, is the result of
an apathy on the part of our citizens.
which, to say the le .st, refl.'c no credit
upon us as county. Cuder existing
aff ,irs. neither life nor property is secure
in CHI boygan. and crimes can be COM
mitted with impnnity. But little en-
couragenent is affOrded to the officers of
the law to arrest. pursue and prosecute
criminals SO long as the county offers II
standing assurance of certain escape in
case of conviction. Within the past two
years hrre different persons have broken
out OF the Jail and are now at large, and
thr only reason others nave not follow
ed their example is simply because they
didn't wish to go. AS the matter nov
stands, a persons life can be taken in
cold blood in our streets, and the assas-
lin 90 unpunished. from the f,ct that the
county aff"r.ls no place OF security to
tietiin him tor trial. There are some
who think il u prisoner escapes from
custody it Is u saving of expense 10 the
taxpayers. If such an argument is
worthy Of any consideration whatever
why make an arrest 1T all, as that is an
expense to the county. Whv not carry
il still further, and abolish the criminal
branch of the court, as that, too. is an
expense to the county. In other words,
why not let desperadoes, thieves and
tramps have full swing if they will only
promise to run away after they have
committed their dep.rdatiOns, and thus
save the county the expense of boarding
them.
Is there any sense in such policy as
that? Yet ia Cilrboygan there are found
men who seem to be pleased every time
prisoner escape-, as thereby they have
eff Ell on their taX-s ii saving, perhaps,
of the sixteen p ,rt of farthing. The
Chicago OF the North" is long distance
in the future ii such ideas are permitted
to prevail, and that they Prevail is evil
drnced in the fact that for more than
twenty years no change OF any import
ance has been made in the Jail building;
and no steps whatever are being taken
To better the conditions of affairs, bu
that the same Jail that was used when
this county was comparative wilder
ness is male to answer tie purpose OF Il
prison in Il community Of FIVE thousand
people.
| What reflections il is on the "Ch;c 60
of the North when the main door of its
public edifice used ior the confinement
of prisoners is fastened with an ordinary
paddock, crOss-5lr and staple, the built
ing situated in so eXpnsed condition
that four men can drive up to il, undetect
ed. at O'clOck in the evening, and with
an axe knock off the paddock, swing
open the door and invite the prisoners
out 10 a moonlight sleigh ride!
But it's a saving TO the county, yor
know.
What is neeled. is good substantial
structure. properly heated, vonIiIatee
and severed. with a sherilf's re>ilenc,
connected with it. Then, and not til
then. will there be some protection Il
life and property in ChebOygan.
JAMES j RROwy