Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-09-06
For the Journal.

To the Magistrates of New Hanover County.
In q late publication have alluded to the subject
of selling the Poor House of the County and sugges-
ted the proprety of purchasing farm in the country
1t will be recollected that nearly three years ago,
the Wardens resolved unanimously to recommend
this to the consideration of the Court and Mr. DAVID
FULTON, County Solicitor, communicated this resou-
ton to the Court. Upon this the Court appointed
committee to examine the subject gather statistics
and report upon its feasibility. This committee have
not yet made final report, and as in all probab
ty, the subject will again be brought before you at
the next ajority term, have thought it necessary
to give you the result Of my own examination and
suggestion thereon. In doing this, deem it neces-
sary to say that feel no other interest in the matter
than becomes every citizen who sympathizes with
this unfortunate class of the community and is year
ly visited by the tax-gatherer to raise money for
their support. All desire is to obtain some plan
that will provide for the comfortable maintenance of
the Poor, and, at the time lessen our tax If
this object can be obtained by different arrange
ment from the present, much the bottar for oil
Our only inquiry is, them how this be obtained
From my knowledge the subject, believe the
furnishing of the Poor House in Wilmington consti-
tutes the greatest item of expense. When became
Warden, the House contained about fifteen inmates.
months, under contract of the preceding Wardens,
we paid bill of $780, though in justice, must say
that provisions at that time were very high. Be-
sides this was their clothing to be paid for $50 to
Matron to superintend $50 to Physician, &C.
Now. believe if these persons were located upon
farm in the country, (and the sale of that house
would buy one, that they might have been so
aged to have made suciency of eqtabes for their
o1,A& Ebo
expense We pay the Matron $50 year; suppose
this paid to a man, his labor alone, on farm,
would 60 far towards their support Besides, there
are some inmates we'll able to work any hands
in the County. There are some young men, half
idiots it is true upon whom the Matron has to place
strait Jackets to prevent them from breaking out the
windows tearing off the plastering, &c. who, if right
ly managed and directed could use to advantage an
axe hoe In addition, there a number of 9TH
ers able to do light work, such gardening, &c.
Look at the expense of furnishing that House with
wood alone which would be entirely remedied on
farm Let the Court determine to sell it. appoint
committee to sell and another to buy and let the lat
ter committee receive applications for the services of
superintendent, regulate his duties and price, &c.
and let the Wardens attend to its general manage
ment and report annually to the Court, and receive
ly calculate to reduce the expense at least onehalf
Then the outdoor relief could, in great measure
; be stopped.
Now, have one insurmountable objection to keep
ing it in Wilmington. The House has now nearly
twenty-five inmates. The most of these have been
brought to this owy condition from the too free
of ardent spirits They carry with them thirsting
appetite for the fiery liquid, and all facilities are
there afforded for its qualification. Go there at
c late hour at night, and you will find it drunken
brothel. Yes women drunk, and in their passions
swearing vengeance against each other But, You
e may ask, where is the Matron My answer is she
has control the personal liberty of the in
E mates and if she had, she could not watch, every
n night every door and window about the House Why
e not discharge them from the House. you again may
It ask In answer, the Wardens are sworn to see no
person perish, which certainly would be the result
# if turned out.
= These are some of my reasons for wishing its re-
moval from Wilmington, which have thought it adj
!, visable to communicate to you. Should any other
e arrangement you might make attain the desired end
l. | will eheerfully acquiesce.
'e Yours respectfully, T. H. WILLIAMS.
lt LONG CRErK Sent 4th, 1850.