The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-11-26
a1 TIE ms.

TIE CTrY ALMs HOUSE, How THE OtTY |
CoUNon MANAGE THIS CHAR1TY.-Af few |
days ago, having heard Of the existence
of lamentable and outrageous state OF
things at this city institution for the
poor, We determined to see for ourselves.
We visited the place, resolved to extern
uate naught. and to set down nothing
exaggerated. In the first place, We
found the story that carried us there
greatly at fault with the facts, and.
therefore, we dismiss it. We speak now
from our own observation. We found
much to criticise. and some things to 4
commend. In the first place, the build
ingt. in their character and condition,
are worry inferior. The apartments,
however, seemed very cleanly. The
beds and bedding were very inferior.
and the latter seemed scanty. The food
is we'll cooked; the cleanliness and the
cooking are attended to by two white
inmates. We learn, however, that the
supplies, which come from the store of
Cooper & Taylor, are often very inferior
this applying more particularly tc the
bacon and the -four. We did not see
these articles. We saw the dinner pro-
vided for a sick inmate-an Irishman
and New Yorker. This consisted Of
piece OF corn bread, a piece Of fatty
Saoon, and somo greens-voTy good, the
man said. for healthy persons, but not
pleasant for a sick person. We ask
leave here to commend the case OF this
poor man to the sympathy Of the public.
He is disabled by white-swelling. He
told us that he had come out here seek.
} ing business, was q good accountant and
clerk, and wished to get money enough
either to go back to New York, or to get
board for week or two, until by work
he can become self.supporting. We
promised to help him, and shall do 80.
He is evidently very intelligent man.
The nurse is said to be noted for her
kindness and industry. The cook does
her dnty we'll We heard a very favora-
bic report OF the physician, DR.. Sylves-
ter. He is represented as kind and at
, tentive, and fully up to his duties and
responsibilities. The inmates number
about twenty seven, Of whom there are
two colored men; the remainder are
white women and children. The stew
ard or superintendent, or head man, is a
colored man, knoUn as Uncle Sam.
This man very politely carried us over
the establishment, and showed US his
garden, of which we learn that the in
mates, in spring and summer, get the
full advantage. He was represented to
Us. and 30 impressed us, as kindly and
simple-hearted old man, ready to do his
duty as well as his ignorance aud his
weak mind would allow. We have no
harsh word or harah feeling for this old
negro man. But this we have to say:
How is it. Mr.. Mayor and Messrs. Alder
men, all-white and black-how is it that
you should have deemed it proper to
place colored man over and in charge
: OF white inmates, men and women?
Had you placed a oolored manager over
All institute for oolored people, we would
not have had word to say. But, is
"Uncle Sam. q proper person for hie
workP Is he a proper person to be
, charged with the sensibilities of women
not only in health, but also in that oriti-
cal and delicate period, when the pange
OF helplesness, of maternity, appeal SO
, strongly to human hearts? Outside OF
this question, is ''Uncle Sam" /" ct for his
post9 Save in the element OF his kind.
nesss We saw that he was not-too iRno-
|, rant for the discharge of his duties and
too weak for the discipline of the place.
But let us bring the responsibility down
, to apoint. Who is the committee of the
City Council charged specially with the
, Aims HouseP Is it Aldermen TAILOR,
Denny and Cooper-two oolored men and
one white man2 Once in seven months,
at least. has Alderman Taylor visited his
charge. Once in seven months, at least,
and that recently. has Alderman Denny
visited the Aims House. AS for Alder.
r man Cooper, we were told that he had
never once visited the place. He seemed
to have confined his duties to furnishing
the supplies, in connection with his part
, ner, Alderman Taylor's brother. It was
reported to US that the Mayor and the
Chief OF Police visited the place occa-
sionally. This story speaks for itself.
We have told it ooolly, and il We have
erred. it is on the side Of moderation
The picture has been lightly shaded.
This. however, is very obvious. Had
the City Council squandered less on the
City Hall and new market, and paid
more attention IN the Alma Houoa %ho