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allowed to stay during the day and hug the stove in order to keep from freezing, is flanked on either side by a row of cells. There are five in all, four of them being about 6x8 feet

in size, the other probably 7x12. In each cell there are a few boards thrown together, which answer for beds. In the larger cell there are two of these luxurious couches. Besides the cells there are two small cubby-holes, one of which is used for a wood room, and the other for a water closet, and a place to stow away ashes. The walls were all reeking with dampness, and in one of the cells a coating of ice covered the floor, the water from which it was formed having oozed out from the side of the building. There is not a window in the entire structure to admit light to the inmates, and consequently they are com pelled to remain in utter darkness, except when the iron door which closes over the grating at the entrance is thrown open. The only places for ventilation, discernible to the naked eye, is a small hole in the ceiling of each cell about the size of the muzzle of a shot gun-not large enough, to tell the truth, to carry off the odor of a rose leaf.'

A man from Armada sojourned there for a short time. On returning home, one of his neighbors asked him how he got out. Why," replied the ex-prisoner, "the crack in the wall was so large, I fell out.'

The county tolerated this building for almost half a century. In 1880, the people determined to build a new jail, and consequently voted $10,000 for that purpose. The question was submitted to the people in March, 1881, when the following vote was recorded for and against such an outlay for such a purpose:

In fact, the

This vote cannot be taken as the true voice of the people of Macomb. large number who voted against the project were animated with a desire to show their dissatisfaction with the action of the Supervisors' Board in not showing a willingness to submit the question of relocating the county seat to the people. Immediately after the voice of the poople declared itself favorable, plans and specifications were called for, and the building contracts made.

The jail, as designed by Mr. Gibbs, is a very handsome and substantial structure, and will be built to harmonize with the court house. In general, it will be constructed after the ideas of the Committee. It will consist of two parts, the dwelling and the jail proper, the latter being toward the river. The dwelling faces on Front street, and will have a frontage of forty-two feet. The measurement from front to rear is

thirty feet.

The dimensions of the jail part will be 30x32. The dwelling will have two stories and a basement. The basement will have two cellars, kitchen and dining room, and one bedroom. On the first floor will be the Sheriff's office, parlor, sitting-room and one bedroom. On the second floor will be four chambers, a bath-room, closet, etc. Height of ceilings, ten feet. The jail part, on account of the slope of the ground, will have three stories, taken up with cells, of which there will be room for eighteen.

A Building Committee, consisting of Supervisors Thomas Dawson, William E. Hall and Harvey Mellen, was appointed, April 25, 1881. This Committee organized with Harvey Mellen, President, and Thomas Dawson, Secretary. This Committee made a first inspection of the builder's work September 12, 1881, and continue up to the present time to exercise a careful supervision over the work. The cost of the building, etc., may be set down at $11,000. This Committee reported finally in March, 1882.

counts.

CHAPTER XXV.

COUNTY FINANCES AND STATISTICS.

There is no more certain index to the condition of a Free State than its public acSo it is with any portion of the State where the people manage their own affairs, for, as a general rule, the governing board of a county exercises sound judgment, and is always slow to authorize any outlay which is not justified by necessity, or which does not give promise of future profit. The annual exhibit of the County Treasurer is a safe basis on which to rest a review of the financial condition of the county; but to realize its development, the returns of Assessors have to be considered. The tabulation of the sums resulting annually from taxation is of little consequence beyond the chance it offers the curious of ascertaining the amount of money contributed directly by the people for the purpose of County, State and General Government. The indirect taxation accruing to the General Government is much more extensive than our direct county taxes; but the possibility of obtaining reliable figures in this regard is so far removed that the subject could only be treated in a speculative manner. Therefore, the reader must be content with a knowledge of what is certain, viz.: That the citizens of the United States, directly and indirectly, pay as much as should render the General Government, State Government and local Government as great as the principles of pure and simple Republicanism require them to be, and which they are not; as mindful in guarding and honoring the legacy which the fathers of the Revolution left us as it should be honored, and as it is not; as paternal in character, and as solicitous for the public good as a Republican Government ought to be, and which it is not. It is considered that the Republic under which we live is the most liberal, the one alone under which man has attained his level in the universe,