The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-02-10
The county poor House.

sociation of this city, the various public
benevolent Institutions of the country at
large, and our State and county in particu-
| lar, were discussed. In the course of the
discussion, our County Poorhouse was touch
ed upon. Some members stated that ru-
mors were ahoat that the inmates of the
said Institution were not so we'll cared for
as humanity would require, that destitution
and infirmity should be provided. Pending
the discussion, it was resolved to appoint a
committee of three to examine into the
state of facts, and report at the next meet
ing OF the club.
The Committee reported as follows:
On Tuesday, the 3lst ult., we, the Com
mittee, proceeded to the Poorheuse. The
day was appropriate for the occasion, and
the weather such as woula give us a fair
chance of testing the sufiiciency of care had
for the inmates of the house 1t was snow
ing hard, and cold wind blew sharply over
the bleak fields. The Warden received US
cordially, and invited Us to take Il review
of the house. He conducted US through all
the rooms, gave us all desired information,
and seemed at the start a little astonished,
but by no means disagreeably affected by
our visit, the object of which could not
long remain a mystery to him. 1t is prob
ably the first time that he has experienced
interest taken in him, and those confided to
his care by others than the Commissioners
of the County.
And, in view of these facts we take much
pleasure in saying that, on the whole, the
result of our visitation has been very sat
isfactory one. There is, however, still room
for Improvement, and we would direct atten-
ton to two features the first of which is the
inadequate heating of the cells inhabited by
81. H. -, >f, IL
is five, and in each of the four walls dividing
the same, there is moderate sized CRATE to
admit the heat evolved from stove placed
in the middle cell. Where the stove stands,
however, we found but moderately low
temperature. This, considered together
with the fact of the window, which each
cell has, being directly opposite to the door,
will explain why the four other cells were
uncomfortably cold, more SO as that portion
of the building containing the said cells-is
much exposed to wind and weather. The
inmates of the cells, of which there are two
at present, are sensible enough to spend
most of their time in bed.
The Beds are the second feature we would
direct attention to. The majority of them
contain nothing in the shape of pillow or
bolster, consisting only of a mattress and
comfort. But the amount of covering found
did not convince us very strongly that the
poor inmate of suchsa bed, on a cold night
would feel at all comfortable.
Looking aside from the two points men
toned, we must repeat that the condition of
the i''mates of the house is by no means
bad. The eating room, and all other rooms
usuaIIy occupied, were we'll supplied by
cheering CRATE fires and warm stoves.
As we found among the inmates several
20 Infa tn
at least those in the presence of the War
den, to their condition, and they were
unanimous in declaring that they were well
satisfied. One man even said that as he had
formerly been in the Marine Hospital, he
found the living much better, and much
greater cleanliness in the preparation of
food IN the poor house than in the other
institution. An occasion soon presented
itself to judge upon his point for ourselves,
as the bell called - dinner. Extra dishes,
on account of our presence could, owing to
the short notice, not have been prepared,
nor could we, from the behavior of the
ones eating, assume that they were better
served than usual We were, on the con-
trary, convinced that everything was TAX
ing its usual course. Tho table was plenti-
fully supplied with bread, meat, and vege-
tables, accompanied by warm drink, which
all seemed well prepared and clean. We
would add that the store room was well
supplied with all the necessaries of life.
The sick of the house stated that they re-
ceive medicine, and the requisite care and
atteRtion. The physician visits the house
according to necessity, once day, or every
other day occasionally; even oftener than
once day. Whatever is needed for the
preservation of health is attended to, such
as ventilation, cleanliness and order, and
every one has ample chance of taking album
dance of healthy exercise. Whenever op-
portunities offer, the inmates are, according
to their abilities, employed at work: but
nowhere did we find reason to suppose that
they are worked to excess, or roughly treat
ed. We were, from our observation, con-
vinced that the Warden enjoyed the full
love and esteem of his flock.
In consideration of the foregoing, the
Committee feels justified in declaring, that
the complaints alluded to at the beginning
of this report, are entirely groundless. Ii,
as above stated, there are defects and omis-
sions in the institution, then the question
arises, =" is the Warden to be held account
able for them, or is it the manner in which
the County Commissioners discharge their
duty in the matter?" The Commissioners
let the house to the one who will take least.
He then has to take care of the poor; no
matter whether there are FIVE or FIVE hun
dred of them, he must furnish them all hey
need, and receives for such, besides the sum
of money agreed upon, the use of the farm
belonging to the county. Whether that
system could be improved upon or suppIant-
ed by better one, is not matter of the pres
ent committee. Phi. DECKER,
--Hr-. ..-. DIR. SCHILLER
e. ToMHEMELT
CoNsIsTENcY.-Mr Ni6lack, from this
n,ctr;..t II, axr,lairi his rIntl.