Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1919 — THINKS CHARGE IS EXCESSIVE [ARTICLE]

THINKS CHARGE IS EXCESSIVE

Newton County Enterprise Comments on Our Hoosegow Rates. According to an item appearing in The Jasper County Democrat, the commissioners of- Jasper county have directed that a claim for $4,000 be filed against Newton county for the use of the Jasper county Jail during the past 10 years. The order as spread of record reads: “In the matter of claim against Newton county for use of jail. Board finds that Newton county has used Jail for over 35 years and ne payment made thereon; that Newton .county should make settlement and that the auditor is directed te file claim with Newton county for >4,000, covering a period of past years, and ■that a certified copy of this order .accompany claim.” fie Mr as we are in termed ft it true that Newton county has mot been paying Jasper county anything for. the use of the flail, but paid 1 - the jailer tor board and care of “such prisoners as have been sent there from this county from time to time. But on the other hand, the charge erf S4OO a year as proposed by Übe Jasper county eommissioners, would -seem excessive and out of -reason. 'Newton county has but few prisoners, and we would venture (the prediction, without looking p the records, that there has been, a full year at a time “during the past 10 years that this county has had no prisoners whatever in the Jasper county jalL At the most the county would not average over two or three prisoners a year for a few .weeks at a time. If Jasper consrty wants pay' for the use of it* Jail it would < be more fair and business-like to establish a fixed charge per day,' and file their bill accordingly. It is quite likely the Newton county commissioners will demand an itemized statement before paying a blanket charge covering 10 years.—Newton County Enterprise.