Norwich bulletin., 1913-02-19

as required by law. While no appro- prfatfon was made by the state Tor county sealers Of weights and meas = ures under the direction of the super intendent of the state police, still the county was obliged to incur some ex- pense in that department When the superintendent hes this new depart l ment in working order it will mean an additional annual expenditure Of from $12o0 to $500 and the official will be required 10 cover the entire county
 Thoroughly Modern Equipment.
 Commissioner Moves said that the county is to be congratulated on it's thoroughly modern equipment for con- ducting county business and caring for the inmates of it's institutions. Dur ing the past decade the jails and coun- ty home have been supplied with new plumbing and fixtures throughout. Oil lamps which were always a source of danger have been replaced with eIec- trfc lights and new steam heaters have been placed in the institutions. The brick cell block in the Norwich jail has been replaced by @ modern san itary steel cell block. at an expense of $16,714, and has doubled the ca pacity of the jail, without the neces- sity of an additional building.
 Model New London Court House.
 The court house in New London has been improved amazingly and the building is one of maximum conven- renee at 8 minimum expense. The DulIQln& was reInOQeleC, GnlaFEcQ ana furnished within the appropriation of s50,000 and ennbodies every conven- fence found in a court building. The judges declare 1t has one of the finest court rooms in New England with all the accessories. The court house ad- dition in Norwich was also built with in the appropriation of $50,eo0, the county voting s3o,oo0 and the town and city of Norwich s1o.ooo each for the improvement. The county quar- ters in Norwich, embracing the court room and seven other rooms, used for county purposes have been thoroughly renovated and refurnished for the first time since the erection of the building and steel filing cases have been added to the vault capacity of the clerks of the courts.
 County Debt 5,s25.34.
 Commissioner Moves said that the property of New London county had been brought up to the times and he called attention to these details ill ex- planation of the county debt. all of which was done under the direction of the commissioners under authority of vote of the county.
 The county indebtedness at the end of the county year, Oct. 1, 1912, was $96,325.34 in three notes of four and half per cent held by the Norwich Savings society and the Mariners Saw ings bank of New London The bal ance in the hands of the county treas urer on the same date, subect to check, was S6,31262 The commissioners sug- gested a small county tax two years ago for meeting deficiencies and re ducing the debt. but it was not done, hence the borrowing of money and an increase in the interest account.
 Recommended Half Mill Tax.
 MT. Moves recommended that a tax of one-half mill be levied It will raise the sum of s3s.25S.s1. thus making substantial reduction of the debt The size of the grand list of the county, considering the debt is comparatively small It should be paid and the in terest payments saved to the county, which for the past two years have to $9,515.53. The county deficit for the past two years was $12,- 90o.39 in which the interest charge was the principal item,
 JaiIs and Temporary Home.
 Commissioner Moves said that the jafls and temporary home are in charge of capable and humane officials and under their efficient care the in mates have received proper care and at the least possible expense. The average cost per inmate of the tenn porary home has been s2.2s week and In the jails the cost has been s2.49, which will compare favorably with any similar institutions in the state. The county receives from the state and he suggested that the amount should be increased.
 Will Consider Tax.
 While MT. Moves was making the report Chairman Jaynes was called to committee hearing and Represen- Lative May of New London was chosen chairman. making the third presiding officer during the session.
 On motion of Representative Eigart of Colchester seconded by Represen- tative Holdredge of Stonington, it was voted to adjourn for two weeks, when will be given the prop ositfon of authorizing a county tax of half a mill recommended by the