The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-08-16
COUNTY PRISONERS CONDUCT
RE6ulARlY ORGANIZED COURT



Public notice is not given when
court is to be held In the basement
0f the county courthouse, but 1t is
held just the same, and the judy
ments rendered and fines or other
penalties imposed "go" Just as much
as any Of the rulings of the freer and
more public tribunal upstairs. The
rules or laws governing the lower
court are typewriter, and all who
take up their temporary abode in
the county jail must read these care
fully and follow them to the letter
1t speaks we'll for the executive
branch Of the court that there are
few willful violations of the rules.
The kangaroo court was organ
lied some months ago, the inmates
Of the Jail first gett,ng the permis-
sion Of Tailor Joe Liggett, who is
highly respected by them. He
treats the prisoners kindly and i'm
partially and has no trouble in
handling them except when a
specially bad man sometimes breaks
in. None of these have ever given
him any trouble that is worth men,
ti0ning. however The sheriff and
hts assistants and Mr.. Liggett con-
slider the kangaroo court of real as
sistance in preserving order and
keeping the jail in sanitary condi-
ton.
The present officers are among the
best behaved prisoners the jail ever
held. They include many of the
originators of the pin of having a
court, and were prompted to organ
ize 1t by desire for the betterment
of their condition, SO far as posi-
Bile. The court was not formed, as
is generally supposed, for fun. The
rules are intended to promote the
peace and healthfulness Of the Jail,
more particularly the "tank" or
space in which the largest number
OF the inmates are confined. As one
enters this, copy of the rules is
seen prominently posted. These are
amended or added to from time to
time, and there are no dead or I'M
enforced laws among them.
When new prisoner is brought
in, session of the court Is usually
held at once. The Judge issues an
order to the sheriff to bring the new
arrival before him, and he is re-
quested to read the rules. 1t some.
times happens that the new man
will laughingly waive his duty with
a remark to the effect that it's all
right, boys; I subscribe; I've got a
little money on deposit upstairs
Take it-only leave me a little
but that doesn't go with the court
and Is frequently the cause for the
culprit's being fined the first time
And then he must read the rules
, and be governed by them so Ions
rs he stays in the tank. The fines
run all the way from 10 cents to 50
anu when the prisoners funds are
exhausted, there is always a task i'm
posed in place Of the tne--scrubbine
out the tank for stated time, no,
less than twice in a week, cleaning
the cuspidors and filling them with
fresh ashes. etc.
Following are a few OF the rules
"All persons entering this jai
without the consent of the inmate.
snail be tried by the court, and, Il
found guilty, shall be fined not less
than 81 nor more than IS.
"All prisoners entering this jai
must take a bath before retiring t.
their hunks, or as soon as posi-
bic. and must battle at least once {
week.
ANY person or persons fount
guilty OF splitting on the floors Of
cells or corridors, or defacing thu
walls in any way shall be punished
by fine.
"All accused parties are entitled
to an attorney and jury trial, II
desired.
"All prisoners must boil and wash
their clothing at least once a week
and keep free from vermin. An,
prisoner failing in this will be com
PEELED to battle every other day, OF
fined not less than 10 cents, MOI
more than so cents.
Every prisoner shall sweep his
cell and keep cell and corridors clean
and also make his bed before break
fast, and mop cell and corridor once
a week.
ANY prisoner caught appropriat
ing anything belonging to another
prisoner shall be punished as thu
judge sees fit, IL convicted by the
court.
ANY prisoner making any un
necessary noise or laughing while the
court is In session. or being absent
when court is called (unless sick
shall be punished by fine for con
tempt.
amy prisoner failing to report an,
crime or misdemeanor shall be sub
ject to fine.
ANY prisoner coming in without
money shall be treated and shall re
ceive the same benefits as those who
pay
"All money received by this court
shall be turned over to the Tailor.
mo money shall be expended ex
cept on order signed by the Judge
of the court.
"All money spent by the eourt
shall be for the benefit OF the pris
oners, and used only to buy neces
saries, such as tobacco. matches