The Washington herald., 1912-07-02
COUNCIL PAYS FINE
TO SAVE EXPENSES
Mount Rainier Solves the Greatest
Economical Question in
Its History.
ExoRBITANT BILL OF $3.50

The economy craze has seized with such
firm grip the Town Council Of the peace
full little suburb OF Mount Rainier, Nd,
that the members Of that distinguished
body have come TO the point OF paying
the fines of prisoners out OF town funds
for the purpose OF avoiding the expense
Of sending the offenders to jail.
The council met last night, and in the
name Of economy appropriated mss TO
pay the fine and costs OF one James West,
colored, who faced fifteen-dsy term in
the lonely Jail at Marlboro as the penalty
for breaking one Of the town ordinances.
II was truly close figuring, and while
most OF the learned councilmen are OF the
firm opinion that several dollars were
saved, there is one OF them who stoutly
maintains that SIS was lost on the deal
Had 1t not been for the justice OF the
peace. James West would have been a
free man, and what is more important to
the people Of Mount Rainier, the Council
would not have been compelled to pay
that exorbitant bill OF Sl25S But Il was
indeed a rather embarrassing position in
which the justice OF the peace was
placed, and all OF the citizens Of the
town and the country adjoining agree
that he was right in taking the action
that he did.
the story OF James.
West was lettering in the Mount
Rainier railway station several days ago,
when Howard Payne, the constable, hap
pened to pass along. The constable
caught the colored man in the act Of de-
facing the wall Of the station, and
speedily placed him under arrest. Con-
stable Payne then escorted James to the
ONCE OF Joseph F. Haas, the Justice OF
the peace.
The constable gave an account of the
while the justice listened
He sat back in his chair
thoughtfully for several minutes, and
then announced that the fine was $40. |
There was a look of despair that erept |
quickly over the eolored mans face. He |
was absolutely without funds. He im-I
parted this sad fact 10 the Justice, VINO |
replied that in default he would be re-
quired TO spend fifteen days in the jail |
al Marlboro.
Constable Payne left with his charge to |
lock him up temporarily in the town un-
III arrangements could be made to con-
vey the prisoner 70 Marlboro. on the |
way they met Joseph T K. Plant the
Mayor. He was almost dumbfounded
10 learn that It would be necessary for
he town TO pay the expense Of support
ng a prisoner at Marlboro. He solved
he question in a minute.
Payne, turn him loose" he said.
And Payne turned James loose. West
happily homeward. and both
he mayor and the constable chuckled
,yer having settled the financial difhcul-
y so we'll That would have been the
nd Of the matter had It not been for
he fact that the justice Of the peace is
equired to submit a monthly report to
lis superiors When Justice Haas be-
IAN to strsighten out his accounts. he
vas faced by the question Of the SO fine
10 fine had been paid, and yet no James
Vest had been sent to jail
Mayor Explains.
So last night the justice OF the pence
allied the matter to the attention OF
he Town Council at its regular meeting.
n a second Mayor Plant was on his
eet to give an explanation He delivered
IN impassioned speech, in which he said
hat in releasing the prisoner he had
lone the town a great serviCe-he had ,
aved Il the expense Of imprisoninE the
olored offender. He pointed out that It
would have cost in the neighbOrhoOd OF
! to convey West to Marlboro. and that
he maintenance OF the Colored man !
here would have cost the town about 81
ents a day.
He added that there would unquestion-
bly, have been other incidental expenses
nd then brought down emphasis upon
he fact that his method was the cheap ! J
st. The speech was convincing, and
hen the vote was taken IL was de- | {
ded without a dissenting voice 10 pay I
lie fine OF James West, together with !
1e costs OF the court, a total Of S1353 /
Such Is Mount Rainier economy. There
nothing like II. II saves the offender
any a sorrowfuI night behind cold. | ,
eel bars. Il saves the constable the
ouble OF a trip TO Marlboro. It saves
lie town dollar or two, and last, II !
,ares the town council from being per c
stually nagged by the people about ju- T
cial extravaganza. '