The Republican journal., 1903-01-22
Waldo County's Improved Finances

Waldo Countys Improved Finances
A $40, 900 Addition Built to the Court
House and a Gain of @19.63be7 in Net
Assets.
The people of Waldo county are to be
congratulated on the excellent condition OF
the county finances, as shown by the reports
for 1902 of the County Commissioners and
County Treasurer. When the Republicans
obtained control of the county finances in
January, 1896, there was an excess of liza
bilites over resources of 81 ,27320, and the
tramp business. was causing an expense OF
from $1,000 to $4,000 per year. Since that
time an addition has been built to the court
house costing $4,000; and instead of debt
of more than 81 200 there is now a surplus OF
resources over liabilities of more than $ls,-
600, and the tramp business is reduced to a
minimum.
During the years prior to 1885, all under
Democratic management, the county tax
averaged ST. 400 per year, reaching $4,000
in 1887 and 1885, In s years Of Republican
management, from 1895 to 1902, inclusive,
the county tax averaged $15 400 per year.
and the estimates for 1903 and 1904 are S1O,-
600 per year, the lowest point reached for
80 years at least. The change from county
debt of 81 273 % to surplus of S18,39S.3S,
gain of S19,6S5e7 has been made, in ad-
dition to paying more than $4,000 for the
addition to the court house and furnishing
the same.
In 1894 the number of prisoners commit
ted to Jail was 500, and the average for 8
wears was 267. The cost of board in 1894
was S3.216. 81, and the other expenses of ar
rest, trial, transportation, etc, were not less
than $4,000. In 1895, the first year of Sheriff
Norton's administration, there were lO9, the
average for his years was 81, and for the
last years but 544 The number In 1902
was as, and the whole expense of prisoners,
including board, trial, and transportation
was SS0O.95.
The annual reports are published IN PAM
pElet, from the press of Miss Grace E. Bur
CESS of Belfast. Following is an abstract:
COUNTY COMMISSION ERs' REPORT.
Bills allowed on criminal costs:
Before Belfast Police Court. ...:... $29l.2o
" F.W Brown, Jr, Brooks, Trial
Justice. ce................,.... 1000
&c Benz. Ames, Thorndike, Trial
Justice :. ................ $50
" FA. Greer, Belfast, Trial JUS
tice. e...................... 252O
" Chas. A. Hatch, Unity, Trial
Justice. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 3O3i
" j. 0. johnson, Liberty, Trial
Justice. :.......:;.... Zooo
s' j. f. Finley, Palermo, Trial
Justice. Observation-Disclosures. 35.46
t" S. A. Myrick, Unity, Trial
Justice. e...................... IT, 40
s' c. H. Buzzel, Monroe, Trial
Justice. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., 615
Allowed officers on commitments. 1890
Allowed for support of prisoners at jail
S. G. Norton, jailer, for board. ... $4a2 u
copjes of mittimuses. $50
GO ts turnkey fees. 20.oo
E. L. stevens, NJ; d., physician at jail. 1880
Penobscot Co., for board and clothes
of Arthur Alley. 1868
Clothing and bedding at jail ......... 122.81
$500 95
Allowed on general bills:
Fuel at court house and jail......... S307.7
Water service at court house and
JAIL. ..............'... l43.oo
Lighting; service at court mouse ana ee 90
JaIl. Oot>o
1bieSIdpI anu lclcplloLo ooi NIoo''' AA1'A-
Repairs and furnishings at court
house and jail. ........: o2299
Postage, stationery, printing and
binding. 10000
Annual indexing at Register OF
Deeds. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. b972
J. H. Clark, janitor of court house. 324 66
Officers serving road notices. .....: 1918
F. L. Gray, Agent prevention of
cruelty. l96
Coroner's inquest on dead bodies... 31.66
Paid for insurance. ................ 2b.25
" S. G. Norton, service on liquor
matters. 5o9Z
Miscellaneous expenses. 1928
$2SO5. 90
Summary:
Police Court and Trial Justices. 1850. 88
| COMMITMENTS ..... 1880
! Prisoners at Jail. ail................... .95
| General bills NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 1906 %
1910. 80
SHERIFF's REPORT.
The whole number of commitments to the