The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-03-27

Ed. NoRrHERNER


county Jail, all emanating from the same
source, although appearing over q variety of
signatures. II needs but glance at Equal
Rights" in the Decatur Republican, "Fair
Play" in the AdrdRce TAX Payer" in the
Reflector, "Justice" in the "Ddy Spring" or
Economy" in t;,e south Haven Sentinel,
TO determine That they all originated in the
fertile brain of the same writer. And it
would not require a very shrewd guesser to
correctly locate the authorship of the several
different articles above alluded to.
The great burden resting upon the mind
of their writer, seems to be a mortal fear of
Paw Paw.
II is q scheme of the citizens OF Paw Paw
to permanently locate the county seat at
that place, and If Paw Paw wants new Jail,
let Paw Paw build it. Well, Paw Paw, in
connection with all other good citizens of
the county who have investigated and nm
derstand the necessity of it, and who are
not blinded by sectional prejudice, wants
new Jail, but as Paw Paw has heretofore
donated largely to the county for its fire
proof offices, wherein our public records can
be safely kept, and that too while such men
as "Fair Flay" etc. were bitter in their OPP
position to it, and as Paw Paw in connec-
ton with its near neighbors has already
made the county present of one jail, 1t Is
fair to presume that her citizens naturally
think they have done enough, and that they
will build no more public buildings for the
benefit of "Tax Payer and his other fellow
citizens who feel disposed to play the part
of 'dog in the manger." So far as perman-
emily locating the county seat at Paw Paw
is concerned, that would seem to be pretty
effectually accomplished already. For thirty
years we have heard this cry about removing
it, especially whenever there was any propo-
sition to expend any money OH public build
ings, and, to all appearances, 1t is no nearer
removal to-day than it has been during all
these years.
The assertion that the proposition is a
'scheme of the people of Paw Paw is
easily disproven by the record. The atten-
ton of the Board of Supervisors was called
to the matter by Judge Mills, at its last DC,
tober session, in the following languages:
Ineed not remind you that the building
has already passed under the condemnation OF the
State Board of Corrections and Charities. insert
their report with reference thereto az take it from
the volume published by the committee in 1882, as
follows:
"The jail at Paw Paw is SOx44 of wood, warmed
by stoves, ventilated by windows, no sewerage, 4
cells SKID with three beds in each, cell of iron,
3 of timber, one cell up stairs for women. The Jail
il very poor old. unsafe. and unfit for use. 1t is
one Of the poorest in Michigan, which is saying q
great DEAL"
therefore respectfully invite you to take this
matter under consideration, and if you deem IL
ssent with your duty 10 do So submit to the peo
pie of your county, at the next coming spring cleo
tion proposition to be voted upon by them, to
erect jail and sheriffs residence at cost not
to exceed sum to be fixed by you, pursuant to law
or at least TO put the old building in thorough
pair if il is practicable. Il do not believe 1t sl
Judge Mills is not and was not then res
ident of Paw Paw, and had not dollar of
interest in that town. And had he been a
Paw Paw man, it is not to be presumed that
he would have allowed that to influence him
in regard to the conscientious performance
OF official duties. This communication of
Judge Mills having been referred to the
committee on county buildings, consisting
of Marvin HinclJiey of Decatur, VIM. III.
Stanton of Antwerp, and George Grant of
Covert, they unanimously submitted the
following report:
Your Committee on County Buildings beg leave
TO submit the following report: That having exam
ined the county jail building, ind il in very bad
condition and unfit TO confine human beings in,
and we recommend that the question OF building
new county Jail at q cost not to exceed SS,0O0 be
submitted to the people to be voted upon at the next
annual spring election.
The above resolution was adopted by the
Board with only one dissenting voice, Super
visor Enos, of Columbia. So much for the
Paw Paw scheme. "Justice" alias "Fair
Play alias ",Tax Payer" alias Equal
Rights" alias Economy" makes cheap dis
play of generosity by stating that responsible
citizens of Lawrence offer to donate a beautiful
site and $4,000 in cash to have the Jail built in
that village. This is mere buncombe, for he
very well knows that even if such an offer
were made III good faith by responsible par
ties. instead of its being reckless statement
of newspaper scribbler, il could not
be accepted. The statute provides that there
must be, in each organized county, at the
county seat, suitable court house, and
sufficient jail, and fire proof offices. erected
and maintained ut the expense IT tie county.
Generous citizens have heretofore relieved
the county of large share of this burden.
Now, Lawrence is not the county seat, nor is
it likely TO be, for if the question of removal
is ever submitted which is altogether inn
probable, there is little likelihood that it
will be carried. Local iealousies, and the
enormous taxation that would be required
10 erect suitable new county buildings, would,
without doubt, defeat any such measure. III
we should follow the wild statements of Fair
Play q. dt. in estimating the cost of Jail,
entire new buildings could not be built for
less than 100000.
Possibly some of the responsible citizens
who are ready to donate this $4,000 are some
of the same ones who SO generously sub
scribed for the railroad to that village. and
then allowed their neighbors TO pay their
notes, while they SPENT their money in fight
ing their written promises in the courts.
But, Mr.. Editor. / fear L ana trespassing
too much on your valuable space. In con-
clusion L only desire TO say that our present
jail is shame and disgrace TO the people of
a rich and populous county like ours; and
the amount required can he raised without
the tax payers in the least. To
me ii appears that there is not the slightest
of a change of the county seat;
the expense to be incurred thereby would
render in inexpedient, if there was no other
reasons that would operate against it, and in
these days of railroad communication, il
makes but little difference in what locality
The county buildings may be; therefore, let
us look at the matter like men, in square
business like way, unprejudiced by locality
Or sectional jealousy, and like law abiding
citizens, comply with the law, and provide
the means asked for, TO erect suitable Jail
for sur county, at the county seat From
my stand point, Mr.. Editor, il appears that