American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-10-25
Tf,e Old Academy.


ed with q. rather interesting, as it was
quite humorous, essay on this subject
To this responce. was made by "Miss
Witherspoon, which, while it was mild
and modest, was also somewhat adtan-
cling proposing a matrimonial orange
ment between the two institutions. To
all this plea in abatement was filed, in
the interest of the common schools, by a
Director" Since then, meeting, VIC
have been informed, was held by the
friends of "union," to consult as to what
hadgbetter be done, to effcc union of
the two institutions. "The prayer Of old
Acadamy," had the desired effect, there
fore, of arousius our people to the fact
that things were not as they should be
that it was time to make some disposition
of the property and funds of the once
thriving, but now dilapidated institution
known as the "Butler Academy" a
The Witherspoon Institute is hand
some ediGce, located in the north part of
our town; and belonging to, and under
the super elyision of the Allegheny Pres
bytcry of the o. S. ?. church An eff
fort will doubtless be made to have such
legislation this winter as will enable the
.
parties in interest to unite the funds and
destiny of the two schools The Presby-
try relinquishing its. CONTROL Of the
Withorspoon, as a derominational school
-clccting only three of the six trustees,
and the, county electing the remaining
three. This, we understond to be the
terms offered by Dir. Young and others,
on behulf of the institution. The offer,
we deem quite fair and liberal
ave write this article at this .ime, be.
cause, with all Others that we haysheard
mention the subject, we think u high
time that something was done il this
matter. For a great many years past, we
have felt that economy, as we'll as hui
manity, required that we should make
some better provision than we now have
for the care and comfort Of the poor Of
our county. To us il seems hard to have
so many ltigations about the residence
of those, whom misfortune has thrown
upon the charities of cold world. Nor
do we think our present mode of treat
ing those, whom the law compels us to
support, either humane or right. No
doubt some OF our poor receive good
treatment at the hands of those to whose
care thsy are committed. But in most
instances we believe those who are least
fit to care for them have them in charge
1t is the fewest number that wish to tax c
them into their families. For this many
reasons could be given; for present pur-
poses however, it is enough to know that
such is the fact.
Had we a farm with suitable buildings
and arrangements, all the hardships at.
tending the poor could be avoided =
Witha view to this we have often thought
that it would be well to dispose of tn.
funds and property belonging to the Acad-
emy in such way as to obtain starting
point for poor farm. 1t is a great
matter to get start. Fifty thousand
dollars is a small sum, comparatively, and
yet, had not the Pa. Rail Road Co., given
that sum to start on, it is likely no pro-
vision would have yet been made for the
education of "Soldier's Orphans" So in
this case, could We get good start, the
good work of providing for our poor a
comfortable home could be accomplishe d
There is perhaps eighteen hundred dol
lars in money, and the old building and
lot would bring, say twelve hundred
in all SO ,00o. This would buy a farm,
and at some future time. we could put up
the necessary buildings. Now, in speak
ing thus freely, we know We are running
counter to avery strong feeling here
Indeed We would much prefer remaining
silent did We not feel it to be our duty to
call public attention to this matter-some
would say "this fund being originally
dedicated to literary purposes. should not
now be diverted from them. This we regard
only as a technical objection, and there
fore not very forcible. In taking this
view of this important subject, we don't
wish to be understood as being unfriendly