The Saint Paul globe., 1903-09-22
CONDITION OF new
JAIL DISTRESSING
Cobwebs In the Corners and
Electric Machinery Ruined
by Rust.

ramsey cOuntyS new quarter ORA
million-d dollar jail'' is said to be going
to the 'fbow-bows'' about as fast as a
building could possibly do The coun-
ty commissioners, who Inspected the
new structure yesterday afternoon
with view of final acceptance, de-
clared in most emphatic tones that
the condition was distressing"
With the elegant and costly structure
occupied but a few months, cobwebs
and rust were something the members
of the county board did not anticipate
finding there, but when they visited
the basement of the building they
found cobwebs in every nook and cor
ner, and the expensive machinery there
being ruined by rust.
After the inspection of the building
had been completed the commission
ers returned to the court house and
County Attorney Kane was asked re-
erty at the jail.
"The motors and electrical appli-
ances in the first basement are going
to ruin as fast as they can," explained
County Commissioner Pottgieser to the
county attorner, "and there are cob
webs everywhere. 1t is simply dis
tressing. Unless we employ an expert
to care for this machinery it will soon
be ruined. Nothing is being done at
the present time to preserve it."
THE sheriff is the custodian of the
county JAIL" said County Attorney
Kane, "and he is responsible for the
countys property in the building. If
it becomes necessary for the county to
employ an expert to keep the ma
chinery from rusting and the cobwebs
from accumulating, I will deduct the
money paid such man from the sher-
ifs bills, and he will have to sue for
it. We will see whether or not he
is the custodian of the county Jail"
One Motor Ruined.
The commissioners found upon in
vestigating matters at the jail that one
motor, which cost the county in the
neighborhood of $1,000, was practically
ruined already, and others were rapid
" getting in the same condition. The
motor referred to can be run but three
or four hours out of twenty four, when
it runs dry and has to be stopped. The
cause of this is said to be neglect in
caring for the machinery.
The janitors at the jail contend that
it is not their business to care for the
machinery, and the other employees of
the building declare it is not their
duty
Sheriff Justus, the commissioners
declare, Is Indifferent, and gave them
but little satisfaction when asked re-
the matter he was asked TO
appear before the board yesterday aft
ernoon. at which time County Attorney
Kane would be present, but the sheriff
paid no heed to the summons, and the
meeting was held without him.
County Commissioner Pottgieser
thought the county should employ some
person to care for the property, which
is being neglected, stating that he had
talked with number of persons, and
fhof no 11ynrl hn fr,Y. fro,
$18 to $25 per month.
County Attorney Kane did not favor
the proposition. He did not think it
necessary to employ a man for every
little duty to be performed at the Jail.
No Time to Create Jobs.
"If it is found that this neglect is
due to mismanagement, I will see that
the damage is taken out of Sheriff
Justus' bills. He is responsible for
that building and all there is in it. The
first thing we know there will be a
for the plumbing in the building. The
county Jail has cost the county enough
already and this is no time to create
jobs for some fellow who is looking
for a snap
The commissioners were not pleased
at the condition in which they found
the Jail, and the final acceptance of
the building, which was to have been
yesterday, was postponed until some
future meeting.
An investigation of the Jail matter
will propably be taken up with view
of ascertaining at once who is re-
sponsible for the care of the building
and it's contents, as the members of
the county board who are on the jail
committee do not care to be held re-
sponsible for the distressing" condi-
ton into which the structure, with