Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-07-28

The sudden death of Mr.. A. J. Com
stock, of Hancock, which occurred ut that
place last Thursday morning, was sad in
!elligence TO the whole community. The
deceased who was widely and favorably
known throughout this part of the state
was one of the most prominent and il flu
entail citizens of Stevens county, and was
for many years at the head of its public
affairs. Mr. Comstock was highly res.
pected and honored both for his many
sterling qualities rs man and friend,
and also for his answering integrity and
loyalty to the interests of the county and
the people. The many duties of his re.
sponsible position were always ably aud
satisfactorily discharged, and the trusts
given to his keeping were ever zealously
guarded and protected. lie was naturally
adapted and qualified to acceptably dis
Charge the important duties of his position,
as he possessed more than average abilities.
A sound judgment, keen perception, and
answering integrity, coupled with a
knowledge of the duties Ct his office and
the wants of the people, such as expert.
ence alone could give, made his services
valuable and gave him the confidence of
all. In his death we have sustained a
great loss, and while we will lose his val
ucd counsel and assistance in public affairs.
we will miss his genial and ever welcome
presence in our midst
The deceased was born in Argyle,
Maine, September %, 1881, and was q resi-
dent of Stevens county for the past ten
years. He had been in poor health for the
past two years end suffered severely the
past few months from heavy cold which
settled on his lungs, thus enfecbling his
constit, ton and leaving him without
strength to withstand the attack of gastric
fever. which proved fatal
Much Indignation is openly expressed at
the misery and pernicious policy of the
county authorities, who by their picay
unish acts have been instrumental in max
ing this county an elysium for evil doors.
1t is notorious fact that criminals escape
punishment for their crimes, simply be-
cause of II failure ON the part of the coun-
ty authorities to provide n suitable and
proper place of confinement for offenders
against the state laws. That this should
be the case is not only disgraccful but it is
dangerous also. 1t is a disgrace to encour
age crime, for the vicious wrong doer will
bid defiance to the laws when he can do so
with impunity. When the laws cannot be
enforced and culprits brought to justice
and punished for their offences, simply be-
cause of criminal negligence on the part
of the county authorities, it is nothing less
than encouraging offenders to the commits
sion of crime. That class of malefactors
who are deferred from their rascality by
fear of punishment alone, are emboldened
by the existing state of affairs to set law
and order at defiance. 1t is dangerous to
the peace, morals and prosperity of COM
munity 10 have the majesty of the law
humbled anI its ends frustrated. 1t is a
disrcputable blot on the escutcheon of re
putable county that such things should ex
list, for it has resulted in making the en-
forcement of the laws farcical, rs it defeats
the ends of justice; it makes the punish,
mcnt of criminals IN impossibiity, as they
are allowed to escape; and its results are
dcmoralizing as it tends to make burlcs-
que of our laws and brings the efforts of
the officers into ridicule.
TO the county commissioners, the TRI-
BUNE on behalf of an outraged community,
will say plainly that while the present
board may not DC directly responsible for
this condition of affairs, yet as they
alone have had power to make change,
they arc indirectly answerahle, and the
people will hold them accountable until
they adopt such remedial measures as will
change a state of affairs discreditable to all
concerned