The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-02-28

County records show that the Freehold
ers monthly bills for services. count up to
over ten thousand dollars $10,0OO) a year
This large amount of expenditure for such
servicess has attracted public attention.
and with the additional fact that FOR oyer
forty years, the condition Of the County
prison has been SO neglected or mis-man-
aged that it has become a disgrace and an
embarrassment to the administration of
Justice; SO much so, that the Judge Of the
Court. at the january term. charged the
Grand Jury to investigate and indict if
they found just cause.
These facts have tended to greatly inn
pair public confidence in the ability of a
Board of Freeholders. body OF so many
members. to efficiently, economically, and
wisely manage the County affairs The
unsatisfactory experience of the past fifty
Years, plainly points to the necessity of a
change for a betterment OF conditions
Public sentiment quite generally is in
clined to substitute in place of Board Of
Freeholders body of six men to be called
County Commissioners, with a fixed salary
to each, say eight hundred dollars
(s8OOOO). Such change would save to
the County six Thousand dollars ($6 1000 a
year, and secure, it is believed. more care
full ard efficient service
There has been for years much dissatis-
faction among the people, about the great
increase in taxation, and the large ex-
penditure Of public money. and such dis
satisfaction began to manifest itself in a
determination to have an investigation
into the management of the Board of
Freeholders. Then there was an awaken
ing. and declaration that they would
proceed to build new prison: but in REL
spouse TO this demand Of the people. the
Board found themselves in an unpleasant
dilemma wish to comply, but hampered
by lack of funds. How to obtain the
necessary funds is the question to be-
solved, and is now under consideration by
the Board of Freeholders. To issue
County bonds was mentioned, but there
was doubt whether the Legislature would
approve, or the people would consent to
such course. There exists urgent neces-
sity to have a new and larger prison with
proper arrangements for enforcement of
hard labor, in way to compel the inmates
County for care and feeding. But there is
urgent need of retrenchment in expendi-
lures which it is believed can be made to
the extent of twelve or fifteen thousand
($12. 000to 3d. 1000 dollars year, under
proper and judicious management.
Then County Commissioners should be
carefully selected; men of unquestioned
integrity, intelligent, of good business
ability, having clear convictions of Justice.
right and duty. and with all, firm cour-
age OF their convictions. that will serve
to give the people confidence that their
official acts will be in accordance there
with.
Right minded and thoughtful citizens,
are well satisfied there is urgent necessity
for new prison Of larger capacity, and
better arrangements for the safe keeping
ard proper punishment of prisoners It is
believed that a suitable location for such
prison, could be obtained near Dover at
less cost than in the vicinity of Morristown;
there should be sufficient yard room con-
nected with it, near enough to the railroad
to admit entrance of cars, bringing material
on which to enforce the labor of prisoners.
At such location an ample supply of cord
wood can be had; the larger wood could be
cut, by saw driven by small steam power.
into kindling wood by the prisoners. Such
kindling wood, no doubt would meet with
ready sale to coal dealers in neighboring
towns and cities, and could be offered at
prices that would allow dealers q good
margin OF profit, and yet leave margin of
profit toward paying the County for feed
ing and keeping the prisoners. In this vi
cinity could be obtained at little cost. suit
able stone to be broken that could be used
to advantage in repairing roads throughout
the County.
This open letter contains plain and
truthful statement of facts for public en-
If the public desire reform
as regards taxation, the administration of
Justice, and the proper punishment of Of
tenders. they must labor to create favor
able public sentiment; and then by united
and determined effort, concentrate the
forces of such sentiment, on such means
as are most effective consistent with hui
manity, justice, and sound public policy
CITIZEN AND ADVOCATE FOR COOP GOVERN
MENT AND JUST ENFORCEMENT OF Law.