The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-11-28
COMMUNICATIONS.

NAnhOLL 1E.S NOV. 20, 1851.
TIC The Editor of the Freeman-I regre
that you lent the columns of your paper t.
q certain A. ID. Criste for the purpose .
singing me out as one of the Board of Poo
House Directors, and must avail mvself O
the same columns as a medium of reply
having no personal hostility to any mar
living, having eudeavored to live at peace
with all men, and having conscientiously
discharged my duty, under my oath, as Poor
director, L am quite at loss to conceive
why 1 should be singled out from the whole
Board as the object of personal abuse Let
me say few words in reply:
In the first place let me assure you that
have no objection that the world shall see
and know every transaction that occurred
at the Poor House since have been mem
Der of the Board. And the records will
show. and l appeal to them, that no other
Director has drawn less from the public trea-
sury than / have, during the year that !
have been a member.
1t is false, then, in the first place. that the
Board ever visited Johnstown at my instance.
1t was proposed by my seniors, shortly after
became member, that visit to Johns
town, for the purpose of arranging the pay
OF out door paupers, employing a regular
physician, and other matters, would be ad-
VantaSeous to the county, and l submit to
my colleagues whether it was not 50. We
received barely enough to cover our expen
ses. and that amount was suggested by
others, and not by myself. AS to the pitiful
falsehood that the party went upon d regu-
lar spree" leave my colleagues to answer.
10 those who know me, no contradiction is
necessary, so far as l am concerned.
The other charge is that l signed an order
for trend for upwards of Forty Dollars.
The friend alluded to is a certain Irwin Rut>
ledge-a man whom had never seen before.
The Poor House train went to the station for
my colleague, Mr.. Orris and / went along
to meet the train. Irwin Rutledge was with
him, and stayed all night at the Poor House
l never had word of private conversation
with him in regard to any bill or order for
it. 1t is not my purpose to say whose friend
irwin Rutledge xas--he never was friend
of mine, and ! bad a prejudice against him
from having heard that he had an undue
influence at the Poor House. Any orders I
ever signed for Lin Tere made out by the
Steward and signed by an older member of
the Board frst. Being the youngest mem
Der Of the Board, ! deferred very much to
the opinions of the olIer members. and never
signed an order that was not filled by the
Steward aud signed by nay seniors. or one of
them, If both were not present. did re-
sist bills presented by Rutledge, and believe
at one time prevented him from getting an
order for what thought an improper bill.
These are the two monstrous wrongs I have
done to the people as regards their money.
But this is not what's the matter! was
absent from ono meeting of the Board. This
frequently happens, and as two Directors
form quorum for business, it does not af-
feet the public interests. But had salts
factory reason for not being present at the
meeting referred to. | learned that new
Steward would be chosen at that meeting
and thought It unfair to the people Of Cam
bria county for Board to choose officers for
their successors. The proper course, as
believe, is for every Board to appoint its
own officers, as is done by tie County Com
missioners, and all other bodies of the kind.
II different custom has prevailed in the
Poor House, it is bad one, and l hope we
have set good example for the future.
But A. d. Criste having, by the vote of
living and dying Director, been appoint
ed Steward, l moved 70 rescind the appoint
ment for the purpose of making new one,
aud he claims that this is without precedent.
But it is not Only few years since the
new Beard revoked ths appointment of the
old Board. and appointed the present Stew
ard and fortunately, too, as the discarded
Steward turned out murderer and the ma
tron prostitute.
at the first meeting of the new Board 1
did what deemed my duty to the people.
| did not kaoi0 A D. Christie to be the pro-
per person for the appointment; l never
charged him, as he seems to think, with be-
ing gambler, Incorporate, or lazy" nor
did | find any fault with bis family. ! sim
ply treated the question as an open one,
doing what l thought my duty, but / con-
fess that, elected by the Democrats, could
hardly, against equally qualified person,
appoint to a position a man who, / was
credibly informed. had voted the whole Rad
ical county ticket at the late election.
If paying my Communication for military
services to the Government was not sufficient
evidence of loyalty TO my country, trust
have partially atoned for it by choosing for
Steward one who, while he is neither "a
gambler, Incorporate, or lazy" has done
his part in the army of the Republic
man who is not only deserving but compe-
tent, humane, and honest, and q man who
did not seek the Poor House as a plaster to
heal his broken fortunes.
But 1 must stop beg pardon for the
length of this paper, and my only excuse is
that having never sought or held an office
! in the county of my birth but the humble
position l now hold, deem the attack upor
me unjust, uncalled for, and malicious.
HENRY BYRNE.
CARRoLLTowN, Pa. Nov. 21. 1867.
Editor of the Freeman-Dear Sir: no