The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1907-11-15

roads Travelled By them, We have done
this with the view OF Il arning the work
ings of the new road law, and to endeav.
or to provide, if possible, better under
standing amongst the people of the
county with reference to road matters,
and, if possible, improve the conditions
| in that respect.
| We find that the roads of the county
are not at this time in good condition,
many bridges and culverts needing re-
pairs, and the general impression of the
people of the county, we believe, is that
the road work under the new law has not
been satisfactory nor given az good re-
suits so far as the old la did. The great
| complaint seems to be that portions of
the roads are entirely overlooked or
n elected by the supervisors. We have
consulted with the board of county COM
missiOners in this matter and fully ac-
knowledge the many difficulties in their
way, and can only recommend that they
make increased effort to bring about
better results through their supervisors
and their helpers.
We believe that the plan followed now,
to some extent, Of subdividing the dis
trcts into rather smaller sub districts,
and the appointment of sub supervisors
in these, thus bringing us nearer to the
old system, and giving the sub super
visors or helpers smaller territory to
cover, is a move in the right direction
and tends to bring the responsibility of
keeping up road repairs closer to the
people.
The chief complaint seems to be the
neglect of many small culverts and bad
places in the roads, which it would seem
require but little work to put in fair con
ditiOn; but, Of course, these in the az
gregate call for much labor, but their
Importance demands attention, and we
urge the best efforts of all having this
matter of county administration under
their charge to use their best energy and
efforts to remedy the situation.
We have examined the Offices of the
various county officials and have written
reports from them, which are herewith
submitted to your honor. Some OF such
officers we find would like to have some
little additions to furniture; some would
like to have a little more room and vault
convenience, but we think they are get
ting along very we'll, and believe that the
board of county commissioners are dis
posed to make necessary provision for
the requirements of all the county
officers.
We deem it not out of place to say
that our county offices are filled by
capable, trustworthy and Industrious
officials. Their system of handling the
business of their various offices seems to
be good, and the work handled with
ability, neatness and dispatch.
The matter of removing the Jail into a
separate building to be constructed has
been discussed before the grand jury, but
We have no recommendation to make
concerning the matter, further than to
missiOners to the subject, to take such
action as they deem for the best interests
of the county.
The question of the usefulness of the
grand jury has been discussed by us, and
it might not be amiss to give an ex-
preston of our views on this subject, too.
We think the grand jury system is en-
tirely too expensive to be used generally
as the channel for the institution OF Grim
inal prosecutions; nor do We think the
system of criminal prosecutions as now
practiced and conducted through the
offices Of the county attorneys, has at
all failed TO meet ordinary requirements,
yet it is our opinion that all need of
grand jury has not entirely passed out
of our system OF government yet. The
fact that an accusing power, reaching
all officials as well as private citizens,
has lodgmeDt in the hands of the people
themselves, undoubtedly, if called into
use occasionally, must have a wholesome
restraining and lettering influence in all
quarters. We therefore believe that the
occasional cOnvening of grand jury
ought to be beneficial.
Our Iqbors having been concluded, we
respectfully ask that we be discharged.
W. K. SoUTHARD, Foreman.