Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-12-25
Remember the Poor.

very good that they are really good for
nothing. These facts, if they are such,
hold good in application both in private
and public life. 1t is reserved right
with which we all may find fault, but quite
too seldom it happens that we fail to pre-
sent better plan, and this may be the
case with this article.
That the poor should be remembered
Away is an old precept, but it seems en-
inently proper that it be repeated each
and every returning year as the holidays
approach. Then it is that we have
thoughts for ourselves. thoughts for our
neighbors, and yet too frequently we for
get the most needy. Those absolutely
destitute, and dependent upon public
charity, seldom find a place in tue mar
row corners of memory. They are too
often set off as a separate class, with few
if any claims upon our charity. They
are supposed to be provided out of pub
lie funds, and the only thing about them
that seems TO command attention is re.
trenchment, reform and economy in the
distribution of those funds.
And, Just at this time, the merits Of a
certain public measure are being dis,
cussed with all the GOODNESS of Stole
and all the shrewdness of Shylock -
The Poor Farm, today, is the rage
of the county. A few hundred dollars,
annually, are now drawn from our pie
thoric treasury to meet the contingent
expenses of the transient poor, and our
county guardians stand aghast and in
quire what is to be done 2" And
well might we ponder the question, but
it is settled at "a blow. Some sage head
has suggested that the "Poor Farm"
with its terrors and its horrors, will pre-
vent pauperism; hence it is ''theretore,"
without no further why or wherefore
And the day is now dawning when it is
to be " located. :"
Now what will be the practical re-
suits First, of course, Poor mas
ter" must be selected--a meager, stolid
man, with comparative few brains, and
not spark of neighborEy charity about
him. Your reply that this is not nee
essary, and that good man must be Sc
lected. We answer again that this is
absolutely impossible, since the com
pensation you would offer will new
err secure the services of any "good
man."
Think of it as you will, no humane
man with his equally humane wife, can
he found N Pierce county, who will take
cba,oe Of the Poor Farm for salary less
than that paid the county treasured
And be. too. will be a han who will not
neglect the perqurs;tes," ard look well
after the interest of the coucty.
Next, a team, stock, houseao'd furh'-
ture, and farming utensils must be pro
vided, with seed, provision, ETC.. etc -
Take the total investment. and it will not
fall short of five thousand dollars to start
with, and the entire avaIs of the farm
will never pay the interest on one-half
the money. But, put the concern in
running order, and what then : Why,
in the language of the negro melody,
''Sukey bake the hoe-cake
And set frog TO watch it,
The frog he fell asleep
And the lizard come and CoTcH it'll"
An agent must be delegated to look az
ter the 1" Poor Farm" to make purchases
and direct things generally. To acquit
himself properly he must visit his charge
often-say once a week, at least, and
charge literally, for cheap services are
always suspicious.
1t is not always prudent to raise a
voice against popular clamor, and it may
be a wiser," it may be at least better
policy 10 let things pass. The Poor Farm
may prove an ornament to Pierce coun
ty-it may be economy to run it, but we
believe it will be an expensive concern to
the county, and lucrative one TO few
individuals Land rats and water-rats,
water-thieves and land thieves will con.
tinualiy infest it. Besides this, humani-
ty itself revolts at the idea of creating
an odious institution in a ch ristian COM
munity; and this is certainly the first
and greatest reason that can be offered in
favor of it.
Remember the poor. We can provide
for them more humanely, and quite as
economically. Not one of us has any
lease of life-not one of us has any sure
guaranty againt want, and we shall of
ten--yea, too often find that
=" Man whose heaven-crected brow
The smiles of love adorn;
Mans inhumanity man
Makes countless thousands mourn"
A. NJ.