The herald., 1894-06-02

the county if the supervisory would en-
ploy a purchasing agent. who should be
held rigidly accountable, and whose
duty it should be to make all purchases
for the county, advertising for proposals
whenever practicable. 1t should be his
duty to examine the quality of all goods
bought; to see that in case of compete
tive bids the articles delivered
should be entirely up to sample in
quality and quantity, and to keep him
self thoroughly posted in the market
values of such articles as the county
steadily requires. In other words he
should possess the requirements which
should be demanded OF buyer for
first class business house. In one de-
pRrtment OF the court house we found
single article OF regular use, which within
few months was billed at no less than
four different prices, although, as We
learned by inquiry. there had been no
plan proposed such things could be
avoided.
The treatment OF persons convicted of
misdemeanors or crimes should first
carry out for all a full and equal admin
istration of the penalty imposed.
All secondary treatment OF prisoners
should be to bring out such good quail
ties as they may have and to make them
useful citizens on their release. In fact,
from q scientific point of view, no pris-
oner once convicted should be turned
back on society until there is reasona-
BILE expectation of his leading an honest
life.
We regret to report that we believe
our local prison system neither metes
out full and equal punishment to those
convicted of crime, nor provides for
better life on liberation.
There is evidence before US to the ell
feet that prisoners seem to be able to
get out of the Jail temporarily at any
time on the payment of money to tho
deputies. Some prisoners are treated
almost as guests. Known criminals are
squently admitted to the county Jail
as visitors, and disorders have existed
there amongst the prisoners, resulting
in personal matreatment, for the pur-
pose OF extorting money. This latter
practice is called "kangarooipg," and
since our examination has been ar
rested.
In the city Jail. added to all its evils
OF construction and condition, ia the gen.
The effect of the whole of this is to
pull down and degrade those unfortu-
mates in it's charge; this ia especially
true of the large number of prisoners
convicted OF minor offenscs who recruit
the chaingsng. To give these prisoners
work and occupation, we believe to be
wise, but to parade them- out before the
world in heavy chains ie a cruel folly. 1t
is the surest way of making criminals of
these persons.
If the most dangerous class of con-
victs can be worked in an open country
without the Oregon boot or the ball and
chain. certainly our city prisoners in
for minor ohenses, and not usually dan
gerous, need none of them.
The system should be entirely changed.
A competent captain is one essential.
We believe that the prisoners should be
in control of the chief of police when on
outside work, instead of in the hands of
an Independent officer.
CONCLUSION.
Our duties have required as to bring
into prominence the carelessness and
dishonesty existing in the pu bile service.
1t should not be inferred from this that
the macs of public servants are careless
or dishonest. We have found no such
condition.
The extravaganza and inefficiency in
the public school business are mainly
due to q service system that has not
changed with the changed condition of
society, economics, etc. Our present
local government system is unsuited to
our present social conditions. The sys-
tenn has become complex without bring
ing in the elements of unity and force
necessary for success in complex organ
ization. 1t is from our diffuse RESPONSE
bility, superiority of subordinate elective
officers, together with a lack of complete
checks and accounts. that our excessive
taxation and wasteful public expend-
itures have come to pervade our city,
county and state governments. Our
next Legislature should devote its efforts
to remedying these effects.