The Benton weekly record., 1884-04-26


emphatically because we think the exam
ination we have made justifies it and in
the hope that this will bring forth better
results in the ftture. During part of the
past year there was only one commissioner
in the county, during which time, as
natural consequence, there was unJuSt'h-
able methods in vogue. In the past two
years (nearly) there we're only two CON-
missioners, when with disagreement
nothing could be done in the way Of re-
! form. But now there is full board, the
majority Of whom are in accord, the last
addition to the board being a thorough
going business man Of large means in the
county, whose every interest is to revolu-
tionize the way business has been done,
and We are glad to say that after an exam
ination OF the records of the last meeting
the beard as now constituted promise
the much needed reform. 1t is but fair to
say that the above structures do not apply
in a great measure to former adminisra-
tions.
We suggest that that the board appoint
q competent citizen Of the county versed
in law TO sit with them during their ses-
sons, and that they take his opinion up
on all matters Of law and all bills coming
before them.
We have examined the county poor farm
and report that we find this portion Of the
county property an expensive and as now
managed a useless institution. We find
the farm to be about four miles from
town, with no habitable improvements,
about thirty-five acres plowed ground with
fence and at present no paupers there. We
find that paupers, as rule, are quartered at
the hotels Of the town and furnished with |
fine rooms and all the neccessaries Of an
opulent and fastidous taste. We RECON- |
mend that all medicine and medical |
attendance, as well as the care, |
support and burial of the paupers
Of the county be let to the lowest bidder
and that no favoritism be shown to doctors
or others. The management OF this de-
pzrtment OF the county government is a
crying evil that demands thorough clean
ing out and reform.
The Office Of the probate judge was also
visited by US, but we found very few re-
cords, owing to their having been burned
IN the court house FIRE. Since then the re-
cords are we'll kept. It is only right that
we should say here that the present judge
should be commended for the manner in
" hich he has striven to reduce as far as lay
n hia power the criminal expenses of the
county.
We have examined The books OF the
rustee of the military reservation addition
o the city of Fort Benton and find they
Ire yet incomplete. owing to q number ot
contested cases being Yet unsettled, and
We recommend that as soon as possible The
-ecord be indexed. We find hat in ruany
sases more than two lots have been CIHht-
ID 10 single applicants. We fiud that l0t>
laye been issued TO persons rot residents
f Fort Benton, and whose affidayits shoH ,
hat fact. We find that many lots have
cen issued to persons or TO whom #pplca-
ions have been made By agents. We find ,,
n all cases where deeds have been Issued :
here was no contest, and the deeds rs
consequence were properly issued by the
rustee.
We find that two thousand three hundred :
nd thirty-one (233l) lots were sold, and
lat settlement Of the financial part Of The
'an5action is made in full with the coun-
: commissioners, and the money paid y
yer TO the county treasurer.
We have examined the public property OF
le county, and report that: We FRS
lsited the Jail, were received very court
eously by the jaiIor, were invited TO
ally examine his books and inspect the ~
Ill and surroundings. We found the Jail :
good order and condition everything be- :
lg neat and clean both inside and 0uc Of 81,
le building. The books, such as he mas, =
e models Of neatness, and Kept in very :
lsiness-like manner. We recommend r.
lat the sheriff be provided with books for !,
'gistering all the necessary data and /
atistics, and keeping the proper accounts. 81
We learned that the prisoners had II
nod Victuals and beds, and everything :,
as granted them towards their &C Cmfort A
,nsistent with their confinement. We n
ave one of the finest and most secure ~
ills in the territory, and We recommend
at a suitable StochaJe be built around ii y