The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-03-18

Editors Times Clayton county is
one Of the richest in the State of Iowa,
yet very deficient in many instances, one
is in its facilities for the care of the poor.
There are many indeed at the present in
great want Of assistance, some are lying
on sick beds bereavcd of husbands in this
war. Others are either widows or orphans
in destitute condition, and there is no
means provided by this county for their
immediate relief. Orders given by trustees
on merchants are not accepted, because
they only get county orders for their pay,
and the doubtful value of said orders are
not considered safe investment in ex.
change for groceries at the present state of
markets, therefore it is impossible for the
trustees Of this township to get nything to
wards relieving its poor. 1t is said that
pauper orders will be at par next June,
but there will be many Of the present suf.
ferers in their graves before then and there
is considerable difficulty in even getting
coffin on the credit Of the county.
There are families who receive weekly
pay in warrants, but they are shaved cne
half. That with the present prices Of near
ly everything in the wcy Of clothing and
food, makes it necessary for the county to
supply some Of their wants. The depreci-
alton of those warrants are only in the
end so much taken from the county and
put in the pockets Of individuals, and will
necessarily cause more taxation. 1t is sad
to look upon those sufferers whose hus-
bands and brothers went forth with light
hearts to fight the battles Of our country.
1t is more so when we pledged ourselves to
see to their wants and pay dollar for dollar
on those warrants. But money is nearer
and dearer than suffering friend of a
poor soldier. Such patriotism stands be
tween US and the fortunes of our country,
to talk of our success in the present strug
gle is gratifying but to equalize the suffer
ings is not quite so. If county officers
would accept certain pro rata, of those
warrants for their pay and have some of
the money (paid for tax"s) distributed to
the poor it would be quite help as par
ties who are we'll off can afford to wait for
the payment of warrants when poor folks
cannot. There are many benevolent societies
in this place, but the home of the poor are
unfrequcnted by any, the soft an2 delicate
hand flushed by the comforts of life never
sooth the fevcred brow that warm tea and
toast is withheld, that kind and consoling
word is unspoken and the thoughtful mind
asks itself is this America? There are
several who have resigned the office of
trustee in this township on account of not
having any means provided for the relief of
its poor, but some one will have to act
therefore | propose to avail myself Of
the profits of the Office for some time yet
Taking the above facts into consideration,
| with the other trustees call upon the
supervisors of this county, to immediately
appropriate some means for the poor of
this township. and hope that honorable
body whose eyes these lines meet will not
cast them aside with an air Of indifference,
while, orphans are asking for bread
Should they do so, the people Of Clayton
county will hold them responsible and not
the trustees. T. w. WooD.