The record-union., 1893-09-09
CHAINGANG ONCE MORE.
It Bobs Up SereneIy at the Superv8-
orS' Session.
The Board Grants a Petition for Now
Reclamation District-Some
Other Business.

The Board of Supervisors was in ses-
| sion yesterday morning and transacted
some little business and allowed a num-
! Der of bills.
| Quite a delegation from down the river
was present on reclamation business.
Seymour Carr addressed the board i'll
relation to a bridge over the lagoon at the
Fowler place, one end of which was
swung al ound by high water last winter.
He asked that it might be fixed.
Supervisor Jenkins said that the peo-
pie were really entitled to new bridge
and only refrained from asking for a new
one on account of the condition of the
County Treasury.
The petition of g. A. Knott and others
for the formation Of reclamation dis
trict on Audrus Island was granted.
S. LavensOn appeared to ask the board
| to take measures to preserve a portion of
the road between Courtland and Walnut
Grove. He was willing to take out row
/ of trees and give the county road, if il
was thought best not to pile it,
! Supervisor Curtis thought it would be
well to have the County Surveyor make
an estimate OF the cost of each method,
and Supervisor Jenkins agreed with him
ana 1t was so ordered.
Then came a slight change of pro-
gramme. Supervisor Jenkins arose and
| mildly began his speech by stating that
/ he did not know when the chain-gang
was reinstated that its second stage Of ex-
istence would cover so long period. As
IT had apparently come to stay he wished
| to make Il few remarks thereon.
He stated that when Mr.. Isham was
| appointed to supeTintend the chain-pang,
II was understood that it was only tenn
/ pOrary appointment. The Sheriff saws
that as he is responsible for the prisoners,
he thinks he should have the privilege of
appointing the ones who have charge of
| them. he moved, therefore, that the
Sheriff be allowed to make the appoint
ment.
! Supervisor Curtis opposed the motion
unless the Sheriff could make charges
against the present incum bent, who came
to him highly recommended.
( Supervi sOr Todd thought it would be
| well to have only one man to superintend
the gang, but the Chairman did not think
1t would be safe to trust to only one, as
there are some desperate men in the
gang.
| Supervisor Todd said that he spoke in
the interest of economy. He believed in
reducing the expense OF the chain-gang
! to the lowest possible amount.
Supervisor Miller pointed out the fact
that the employment by the board OF the
two present incumbents was a saving in
their salary Of 500 per month.
DOES NOT COST MUCH.
The Chairman said that under the pres
ent system the gang was being made al
most selt-sustainlng. Mr.. Isham had
been told by him at The time that his ap-
pointmeDt was only temporary one.
Supervisor Jenkins stated that the
place had been promised by the Sheriff 10
a Mr.. Mcdonald, and that he had prom
ised to vote for him. He informed Mr.
Isham when he applied for the place that
1t was only a temporary position, de-
pendent on the length of time that the
gang was employed on the Twelfth-street
road.
When an escape occurred, the Sheriff
was held responsible for it, and did not
feel like sending the men ont under the
supervision OF men whom he had no hand
in appointing.
CURTIS STANDS FIRM,
Supervisor Curtis still stood up for
Isham. He declared it would be an in
justice to take the appointment away
from hlm' and give 1t to someone merely
because he was friend OF the Sheriff
Isham was a man of family, and had
come to him with the best of recommend
atiOns. 1t was the only appointment he
(Curtisl had ever asked Of the board. and
he felt it would be unjust to him if thev
look IL away now. lie naQ never had
any acquaintance with Isham before he
applied for an appointment, but that
made no difference. If the Sheriff wanted
a change, let him bring charges against
Isham and have the board investigate
them. The board could do as it pleased.
but he thought he was entitled to fair
! treatment.
The board took recess until 2 o'clock.
in order to digest the subject, in connec-
ton with their dinners
IsHAM PLEADS HIS CASE.
In the afternoon Isham appeared be-
fore the board and stated his case. He said
he was a married man and had family.
He had tried to do his duty while holding
/ the position. as he had done ALWAYS. and
if the board saw fit to continue him in the
position he should endeavor to stin per
form his duties in such a manner that it
should never have reason to regret its ac-
tiOn in so doing.
Supervisor Jenkins moved that if the
Sheriff becomes dissatisfied with anv Of
the officers now in charge of the chain
gang he recommend to this board q suita-
bic person for such office.
The motion was carried by the votes of
Miller, Jenkins and Morrison; Curtis and
/ Todd voting no.
The board then adjourned till Monday
at 10 a. NJ.