The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1894-06-29

supplied by the auditor with an accurate
plat Of all legal county roads In his dis
trict.
In the matter OF county printing and
supplying Of the necessary county books,
blanks, ETC., we believe IL TO the best In
terest Of the county that no contract be
let or such articles purchased until they
be advertised for bids, and when 90 ad-
vertised the said contract be let to, or
such articles purchased from the lowest
responsible bidder; and We recommend
that in the future no other course be
pursued.
NEEDED REFORMS IN POORHOUsE MAN
AaEMENT.
The system that has recently been in
augurated for the caring for the poor
has been brought to our attention. It ap-
pears to us from the brief examination
we have been enabled to make, that the
present name Of conducting this por-
ton Of the county business il much pre-.
ferable to the contract system, and with
a few changes may be made very eatis-
factory. We coneidor that the success
Of the present plan depends upon the
county auditor and his subordinatee.
We do not consider that the present
steward Of the poor house has the exc
cutive ability to properly control o &C.
cure the respect Of the inmates, or to
properly manage and operate the farm,
and we recommend mis- resignation be re
quested. We believe the auditor and
steward should be in perfect accord,
therefore we recommend that the county
auditor, who by law is ex.oficio superin.
tendant of the poor, shall have the OK.
elusive power to appoint and remove the
steward and all other subordinates at
the poor house and farm. and that the
auditor be held responsible for the &C
tons and behavior Of such appointees
during their occupancy Of such posi-
tions.
We find that the county auditor has
not made a report to the county commits
sioners for the past quarter, ae is re-
quired by law, nor has he checked over
and examined the work Of the various
officers for that time.
We believe that snch report should
only be made after and upon a careful
and thorough examination Of all matters
to be reported upon.
After reading the law creating the
position of auditor, and a personal exam
ination and interview with the present
incumbent, we find the duties OF the posi-.
ton are various and numerous.
We believe it is Of the utmost impor-
ports should be fully made in the strict
Interpretation Of the law, and within the
time.
We therefore recommend that he be
allowed to employ a competent account
ant as an assistant for the Germ OF one
month in each and every quarter, to the
end that a personal examination from
the original entries al and shall be
made of all data and items going to
make such a report, and that no officials
report Of his own Office be accepted az
conclusive Of correctness.
CARE OF RECORDS AND VALUABLE PAPERS
The grand jury wish to call the special
attention OF the county officials TO the
necessity OF more care and caution in
| tho storing Of all valuable books, papers
before leaving their offices for the day,
This caution is given for the reason that
we have been informed that valuable
papers have been found lying on the
desks after the vault and Office OF the
official has been virtually closed for the
day.
We have inspected the county Jail ia
accordance with the instructions OF the
court, and believe our visit was unex'
pccied. We report having found the
building clearly and in apparently gOot
condition, the inmates seemingly VI
well satisfied with their treatment al
could be expected. From what could bt
learned we believe the rules and regula
tions controlling this county institution
are very good.
The county poor house we found in
neat and clean condition. The manage
ment of this institution has been re
ferred to elsewhere in this report. Thu
garden at the county poor farm is no
as well cared for as it should be. W
believe if this portion Of the county poo
farm received proper attention and worl
that the product would tend to largel,
reduce tho expense OF maintaining tn
county poor.
7 VAULT FACILITIES NEEDED.
Referring to the special report hereto
fore made by the grand jury ia relatio
to the county vaults, we wish now t
make some supplementary recommends
tions. We desire to again express on
belief that the vaults supplied for tn
use of the county are utterly inadequat
as to capacity and in their present con
dition entirely unsafe for the keeping O
records and papers Of the county. W
have also examined into the condition q
the building O occupied by the count
} officers. Our conclusions are that tn
building is neither safe, comfortable, no
convenient. The agent for the owner
of the building, together with the mem
beers Of the board OF county commission
ers and this grand jury, have ~consulte
in relation to tho matter herein men
toned. This grand jury now under
stand that certain alterations, improve
ments, and repairs, viz, the erection OF
new vault under the present vaults, to
gether with proper foundations and sur
ports for both, and both vaults to b
made fre-proof, also a change in tn
present entrance, were agreed upon q
, said consultation, and will be complete
, within a short period OF time, and tbs
all matters com plained Of will be PROF
: erly and promptly remedied. Sue
being the case we would recommen
/ that il satisfactory ~uranc are nc
given by July l, next, that the alter,
, lions, improvements, and repairs agree
upon will be fully completed by the cot
day of July next, then that the distrit
, Judge Of this district, together with til
! board of county commissioners do max
such other provision for county qua
tiers, and, il need be, enter into a leas
with some person or persons for tn
erection of a suitable building, to be o.