The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-04-18
We have been told that there is a

WE have Deem tOtu Il3L bueES - y
disposition among some members Of
the Board Of Supervisors to close the
contract for the proposed purchase Of
the George w. Smith farm as home
for The county Poor at their next meet
ing, on Saturday. We trust that this
Information Is not correct. There is no
need Of pressing haste in this matter.
The public want to know more about
the merits Of the Investment before lis
made. SO far as We gather the feeling
at this time It Is that the price 70 be
paid Il entirely out OF character with
the objects 70 be obtained. One hum
dred and seventy-fye dollars per acre
fora Poor House farm Is an exceedingly
doubtful purchase. We presume that
In all the counties adjoining Ms in
Pennsylvania and Ohio no such price
has ever been paid for 4 farm Of the
kind. The question e, how can hun
dred and sixty acres OF such land be
made 70 pay a. home for a hundred
paupers3 We confess that We are
wholly at a loss 70 answer the question
satisfactorily. We cannot but regard
the proposition as most extrayagant
and impractical. And II there is really
danger Of the contract being closed on
Saturday, or at any Immediate day, We
trust that the people will take steps at
once in a public meeting al the Cont
House to make their opinion heard
and felt. The proposition has taken
citizens thus far by surprise. Most Of
them were altogether unaware that
such negotiations were going on. The
whole affair has an 1odot of secresy
that is unpopular. an such transac-
tons ought to be as open Is day light
itself. II Is due both 70 the Board OF
Supervisors and 10 the tax payers OF
the county that the whole thing should
be fully ventilated. The farm in ques-
ton Is regarded as one Of the best in
the county. but nevertheless as fancy
home for some man OF abundant means.
1t has been highly adorned, and is in
most respects q very eligible and select
spot for a country seat. But as a
matter-of-fAet and thoroughly practi-
cal source ofsupport for the Paupers Of
the county, its desirabiiity may very
well be questioned. We have no idea
that It would prove self.sustaining, or,
that 1t would, perhaps, even appro1i-
mate that point. Indeed, It Is doubtful,
ifcountiug the interest on the invest
ment, it would not turn out to be a
very expensive elephant on our hands
The general idea Is that a large farm
less eligibIy situated, and purchasable
at Ons-third Of the cost, would be more
In accordance with the end proposed.
1t Is land, and not fine residence and
fancy out buildings, thatis wanted. We
need a farm that will come as near
as possible yielding enough to support
the Poor Of the county who may be
quartered upon It. We do NOT want to
furnish temptations TO people in the
shape OF a magnificent lazaroni estab
1ishment to retire from the struggle of
life and go upon the charity Of the
county. There are too many of that
willing sort already. We want every
body to understand that's as long as they
can support themselves their condition
is preferable to that Of public paupsr,
in the way of home comforts. A pala-
tial residence, amidst the finest scenery
ofthe county, is not calculated to in
spirs certain class with this idea, but
the very contrary. Therefore, we hope
that the Board Of Supervisors will not
be in haste to enter into bonds for the
purchase OF Poor House farm. Land
is not rising very rapidly in value just
now, and brief delay may prove adj
vantsgeous to the public interests.