The Union and journal., 1860-04-06

suffered wrong, in certain dealings Of Nc
Kenney with . former Overseer. viz:
lst. That he took sick OK from the
Overseer, In exchange.
Cd. That he sold the Same Overseer q
nair of cattle for less than their value, and
iess than they could have been sold for.
The facts are, McKenney did exchange
with the Overseeria stag for an or. The OK
appeared well at the time. He afterwards
worked day at plowing, and run in the
nasture appearing well and sound. He was
kent about two months on the farm, and stall
fed. A short time (perhaps week or two,)
before he was slaughtered. he was discovered
N be lame. When slaughtered, discolored
ae.h was found on one Of his hind quarters.
near the hip joint; which was cut of and
thrown away. Otherwise, the OK was called
GOOD beef, and "well tallowed."
As 10 the sale made. In the spring Of
1857. the Oyerseers directed Nc Kenney to
sell a certain pair Of oxen, when he could OBJ
tain for them Sl25,00. Afterwards one Of
the Oyerseers bid for them $l22,00. Nc
Kenney reported this offer to the other two
Oyerseers, rs. S. Jordan, s. L. Shannon.)
who directed him to sell-and he sold the
oxen for Si22,0o. There was no proof Of
higher value: and the individual who is said
70 have made better offer, says to US that
he never made an offer for them.
Again It Is complained that the town was
wronsed in certain dealings between the Over
seers and Nc Kenney in reference to wood
lot.
1t appears that the farm being short OF
wood the past winter, Nc Kenney bought, on
his own account, small wood lotin Lyman,
for S39,75, which he offered to the Overseers.
They, not being empowered to buy land, di-
rected him to haul some wood from 1t to tho
farm, aud afterwards themselves fixed the
price iof { at 81, per cord. 1t was mix.
ture of poplar aud hard wood, distant about
six miles from the farm, crossing the RIVER ON
the ice. =.
1t was also said, that Nc Kenney had for
several years kept upon the town farm, at
the expense Of the town, but for his own
benefit, COW snd hog.
We find, that in the spring OF 1857, Nc
Kenney, in anticipation OF leaving the farm,
bought Of the Overseers a two year old
heller, at S2S,O0, and a pig weighing lSo
pounds. and paid for them. When he con-
cluded to remain, it was agreed that the cow
should be kept on the farm. the town having
the benefit Of her, and he should take her
when he left, with pig Of $50 pounds. n
nally, in 1859, he was paid back for the pig
without interest) and was paid $50, 90 Tor
the COW. The town having had his pig and
the use and increase of his COW.
Again, it is said. tha. while the report OF
the overseers shows 100 bushels of corn on
hand, they have been large purchasers OF
corn, during the past year. tor the use OF the
town farm.
We find that ten bushels Of corn only, (and
one bushel Of rye) have been bought for the
use of the farm. the past year. None OF 1t
since the crop of last year was tit to grind.
We have thus presented the various COM
plants and rumors, affecting the official con-
duet of those connected with the Poor Farm,
with a statement or explanation OF the
grounds Of each, as it appeared to your COM
mittee.
We have made some examinations Of ac-
counts.
The system Of accounts for produce, &c.,
sold by Mr.. McKenney. appears to be this:
The produce of the farm sold to traders for
goods, are credited in accounts opened with
the town. These accounts are settled under
the direction OF the overseers. When he sells
produce for cash, it is credited by him in an
account with the oveiseers, which is settled
quarterly.
We have examined these accounts, from
the year 1857, inclusive, TO the present time.
We lind that they include great variety OF
produce and stock, and include every item
and description Of property, of the disposal OF
which from the farm, we have been able TO
obtain any knowledge or information from
any other source. These accounts are
in the hands OF the overseers, and open to
the inspection Of any citizen OF the town.
We recommend the keeping of some accu.
rate account or table by which the history OF
the stock. its increase, and disposal, may be
seen ut a glance.
Mr.. McKenney has also preserved detailed
account OF the annual produce OF the iarm'
for the past twelve years; which may be
seen.
We have also examined the accounts OF
the Overseers from 1857 inclusive, to the
present time, for expenditures for the support
of the poor. either of, or upon the town farm;
including fuel, and rendered in money &c.
We find the accounts properly vouched, so
FAR as vouchers could, In the nature Of things.
be had. They show nothing inconsistent
with information otherwise obtained-and
We are not aware of any attempt to impeach
their accuracy.
With reference to the management Of the
W
| farm, we have examined the current expendi-
lures for this purpose, and have inquired in.
to cases, but we shall not undertake to define
any in which we think errors have been com.
mitted. The Overseers aie vested with dis
cretion to decide whom in most cases. they
| will aid temporarily. This calls for the ex.
ercise Of sound judgment at the time each
case arises. 1t is a difficult matter to review
that judgment. Nor do we see any occasion
to call in question. either the judgment or
honesty of the oyerseers, in any particular.
Some of our committee are OF opinion that
to give better opportunity for consultation
on these matters, two OF the oyerseers should
reside in the village.
As before referred to, your committee have
made an examination OF the town farm. This
farm consists of about 05 acres Of land, situ-
a,ed about 4l.2 miles from the village. The
house upon il is old somewhat inconvenient
and out of repair. but with shingling. and
some other repairs il will answer its purpose
six to ten years longer, unless there should
be q larger increase OF paulers. The barn Is
old. but good, for an old barn, and may ans.
wer for several years longer. The live stock
taken together may be called, tair-average.
The land Is good. under high state Oh
cultivation, and produces largely. A large
quantity of land is ploushed. The sandy
land ha, been well dressed with clay. and the
clay land, well top dressed with sand. We
find large quantity Of manure hauled out
upon the land, and every thing in readiness
for the Springs work. Fences in good or
der. All the Stone wall, some 200 rods we
believe, has been built by the present farmer
Mr.. McKenney. He has also planted young
orchard. which is in thrifty and promising
condition. 1t appears to US from satisfactory
information. that this farm in the past twelve
years, has increased its productiveness, in hay
one third, and in all other produce, one hall,
or doubled.
The hay in the barn is good. and well
cured. AL the other produce of the farm,
in excellent condition, and well taken care Of