Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-03-08

the Denenn OF the pauper LABOR, elEer On
the farm or in the house. 1t is anticipated
that after the county has the farm stocked.
that with proper management, the united
products Of the pauper labor. assisted by
one hired hand. viii be nearly. if not en-
,ircly sufficient. to meet the annual expen-
ses Of the Asylum. Under the old sys-
tenn, the Superintendent rented the farm.
received all the benefit of the paupers la
Dor. and got, in addition, $40 per annum
each for boarding-the county finding all
the clothing. Under this system. the eS-
penses of the poor have for the last few
years cost the county annually from = 600
to 100.
Mr.. Crum, the Superintendent, seems
TO be well calculated for the keeper of the
Asylum. lie possesses two qualities es-
sential to one in his station. viz: iIr'nneSs
and mildness. The unfortunate inmates
require a moral treatment. They ought
to be made to feel that. although misfortune
has fallen upon them, and perhaps in many
instances has been brought upon themsel-
YES, vet that they are still human and i'm
mortal beings-still the subjects Of the
sympathy and beneyolence of society.
was much pleased on my visit TO the asy-
lum to see with what pleasure the paupers,
sane and insane welcomed Mr.. Crum TO
their rooms. He converscd freely with
them, and they seemed to regret when he
left. Some Of the paupers before they
came under the care of Mr.. Crum. were
considered dangerous, and were therefore
kept chained. No chains are now used.
Firm, vet mild and moral treatment rem
ders resort to chains and the whip UNI
necessary The most stubborn disposition
may be conquered by gentle means. if
these fail. chains and the lash will general
! Nv be unavailin.. Under the superinten-
dency of Mr.. Crun, the Asylum will, i: is
hoped, become a place where the poor OF
our county will fine a refuge, such as is
contemplated by the humanity of our laws
and the benevolence of the age. The
paupers appear well pleased with their sit
uation; and indeed one of them, Thomas
Wilson, Scotchman, and who fought
bravely under Gen. Scott at Lundy Lane,
Niagara and Chippewa, seemed as happy
as mortal could we'll be. His only regret
was that his old legs would not allow him
to join the army Of General Scott and again
fight for his country in the battles OF Mex
leo. The Superintendent and his family
would be much pleased to receive the visits
of the neighbors, and citizens of the coun-
ty generally. Oh any day except the Sab
bath. and would suggest to such visiters,
especially those coming in the spring OF
fall of the year, that they bring with them
some shrubbery, flower seed, or any thing
that can be used in ornamenting or beauti-
/ flying the grounds around the dwelling
This is good suggestion. The asylum
is the common property ofthe county. aud
all should feel an interest, kind ofcotln.
ty pride in identifying it, and making i,
worthy Of the wealth and refined taste Of
I old Wayne. Let the shrubbery and the
flower seeds be but furnished, and the
paupers. under the excellent taste Of Mr.
Crum and his family, will make the Asy.
ium as beautiful a spot as can be well i'm.
agined. When thus beautitied, it will not
be place Of dread, as is too often the
case, with those who have been SO unfor.
tunate as to become the objects of charity
When pauper is sent to such a place
there are strong hopes that the beautiful sit
uation. the elevating associations by which
they are surrounded will, if possible, re-
claim them. The new Asylum, under the
care Of the present superintendent, with
the plan adopted for its management, may
be hailed as new era for the manage
ment Of the poor of our county. Under
the present system, the expenses for main
tanning the poor will be considerably di
minished; whilst; at the same time, thei
comfort and moral condition will be great
ly improved. Z.
CentreriUc February 1848.