Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-02-21
[For the Reporter.l
A COUNTY POOR HOUSE.

Petitions TO the ISRlSaStutS ih i3'Oi ~ 'A'~ -
county poor house in Bradford county are ABOUT 10 oe
mt in circulation and beg leave to direct the attention
n.hIio TO some Of the advantages Of such nSti
tuition.
The amount Of poor taxes paid oy the people oi the
conntv il yery large There ew Of the townships in
,.rib no moor tax is necessary and many of town
brs and borourhs are heavily burthened for the support
o the poor That all the paupers of the county could be
summarized at much less expense if kept together
evident AZ that a family can live cheapy at the
came table than If each person separately provided
t n the statistics of the amount Of poor taxes
,I in Bradford county were collected, it would show
ormous expenditure This could certainly be greatly
7soced by the purchase of good tract OF land the
grafton OF large buildings upon it, and the supporting of
a, the county poor in establishment. Their condi-
ton would be much decent and comortable-there
roatd be fewer sham paupersa considerable share OF
their food could be raised upon the laud those OF them
who would be at times able to work could be furnished
with employment and the institution could tdaa be made
partially self-sustaining
l. The burden is now not equally borne. Many OF our
townships and boroughs quite small and some OF the
poorest have the misfortune to have many Paupers
that they are unable to do much for them The town
ship organization convenient in respects but it
is small in Penns yania for this purpose. There is
no why the poor of the county should not be sup
ported at the county expense every tax payer would
then pay his proper share of the cost which being thus
equally distributed, would be much less oppressive.
Much litigation would be avoided. Few persons are
lr, the expense arising out of disputes between the
w districts to the settlement of paupers The facts
c'sch settlement depends frequently difficult to
with certainty and fruitful sources of law
attended with heavy bills of costs and expenses to
sd ont Of the poor taxes. This would all be avoided
Eaakng he whole county single poor district.
l. At present there are number of lunatcs in the
Na' Asylum at Harrisburg, who when they have not
ten charged with any crime, must be supported by the
or districts in which they have settlement This IS
charge which is found to be very oppressive, and could
changed by the proposed law number of suits have
teen brought against some of the townships by the State
lunalc Asylum and judgments recovered, which they
seen unable, as they certainly unwilling to pay.
Experience is in favor of the county poor house sys
ten n NEST OF the oldest counties of the State, and in
eur ce and in the State of New York it preFais and
IL advantages admitted wherever has been tried.
Last, but not least, Humanity CATS loudly for the
'aoton Of present disgracefu system. 1t may be
tue that paupers not sold Ike slaves
ton but this is practically done BY letting out their
maintenance to those who will take them on the lowest
terms That the treatment they receive at the hands of
those to whose tender merces they are committed by the
poor master, is often uukind and sometimes cruel may
'sl5e imagined fear investigation into the con-
Eaol Of the paupers of our county would unfold tale
'aa would reflect disgrace on the large, wealthy and
"?sroas county of Bradford or all the evils which
@S1s upon u.s. perhaps the worst is extreme poverty
-a'r ralt Of the first necessities Of e food rament
90 ae.er. Who would not rather face sickness, pain
even death, rather than entire desttuton and beg
sH' And who that has the ordinary feelings Of
-'laa'!, much less if he has a spark Of Christian
@'y does not feel ashamed TO see his brother man,
even helpless women and children, the poor, the sick,
WV " OAhd and dumb, the lame, the idiotic ond insane,
a's any public institution to resort to- uncared for
20! efficient charitable organization established by
''' Are We doiog duty to the helpless and home
# : P'N! Is 1t enough to commit them to those who
" 'aarSe Of our roads, to be disposed of as is too of
'le case, with view only to saving of expense =
VINO are the purchasers of these claimants OF public
r"! Persons in comfortable circumstances gener
a. ~ not want such inmates added to their families
"e exceptions 1t ia true, but often those who take
Ss o' 'he poor, almost as poor as the paupers
and hence as well as from the grudging terms
u'n tAey are obliged to contract to keep them, are
a! 1uaoe to provide them with proper necessares,
attendance if they are sick and helpless, or
warm house to shelter them in this cold climate
& " must be admitted, the present system is very
~ every respect, and requires speedy and thor
'sa Feormation
II, /. succeeded in interesting any in this mat
-'~ write petition in the annexed FORM" get
'ueS OF as many of the tax payers of the coun.
p'Sslole' and send it to one Of the members of the
-, without delay. The voice of the people thus
sa,,. viii not be disregarded. Laws establishing
p'' houses are frequently submitted to the vote
p'e ior their acceptance To this there can be
Aol3 would give time for investigation, and
pa'e 'he proposed system on a permanent basis,
49,. -, S' The ballot box. Let vigorous effort be
eeon. winter and law can be passed giving the
b. ,,s opportunity Of authorizing the purchase of
poos ' erection Of suitable buildings as Home for
I'M.
l'Form OF Petition1
ti,,, 'oe the Senate and House of R,prs,enta.
=" Commonwealth of Psnnsylrania
n, Sghed, citizens of the township Of
vi. ny o' Bradford, respectfully pray That
passeo TO provide for the purchase Of farm arI
on oi house for the employment, and supro,t
'%'' Of Bradford county. '-'1' @DO support