Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-01-12
TEE PooR-HoUsE.

The charges made by the late Grand
Jurv AGAINST those in charge of the poor
bouse are of too shocking a character to
be forgotten by the public without legal
investigation. A suspension of opinion
has been asked, and for the present con-
coded. Such question belongs to the
courts, though we are not aware whether
indictments have been found against the
managers of the poor-house. They
should demand trial, or at least an in
vestigation, if they are innocent; and
if guilty should be punished to the ut
most extent of the law. A few facts in
regard to the poor-house may not be de-
void of interest. We present them with
out intending to affect the present issue
made against its managers one way or
the other. The old Pope place, some
FIVE miles north of the city was pur-
chased for the county by the Poor-house
Commissioners in the latter part OF the
year 1872. The place was in a dilapi-
dated, tumble down condition, but was
repaired as well as could be with limited
means and time, and on Christmas,
1872, the poor-house people, fifty in num-
Der. were moved in. There were accom-
modations for only about half the num-
Der. The commissioners continued TO
make repairs and improvements as
rapidly as the money was available.
Two houses were added to the old
building, each sixty by sixteen feet.
1t shortly became necessary to take the
insane from DIR. Aliens asylum to save
an enormous expense-one dollar and a
half day per capita. The State asylum
for the insane at Nashville was over
crowded, and Shelby county had more
than her share. Some we're sent back,
and the county was compelled to make
some special arrangement for these I'M
fortunates. Two more houses were
built at the poor-house for the IN
sane. The total number Of occupants
increased from fifty to one hundred,
many of them totally helpless and I'M
able to get off their beds. Fifty out of
the one hundred were sick at all times,
and the rest unable to work. The work
done on the premises and the farm has
all been hired. Subsequently two more
buildings, each l25xl8 and two stories
high, we're added to the place. A fence
was built to enclose the buildings and
the yard for exercise. A tank was
built and bath tabs provided for the use
of the inmates. The seventh building
was added for cook and dining rooms
it is 4Ox20; also, wash-house, furnace,
kettles, etc., and other outbuildings. A
large well has been dug; also, cistern
repaired and other improvements made, |
including repairs on the old buildings. |
All this has been accomplished by the
commissioners in little over year.
They have certainly manifested much
energy. The names of these gentlemen
are VIM. II. Sneed, VIM. H. Hoegel and
Henry T. Jones. twill be perceived that
the poor.house of Shelby county is large
institution, in which the people have
made very considerable investment
OF the internal management we know
nothing, except the grave charges Of the
Grand Jury, which, as yet, are unan-
swered. We are informed that sufficient
food has been furnished, as the bills viii
show. Its cooking is another matter.
1t is an unfortunate state of affairs that
the insane should ever be sent to the
poor.house, but there seemed to be no
other alternative, unless they we're kept
locked up in the county Jail or let out
to private institutions at a very heavy
expense. The last Legislature made an
appropriation to build an insane asylum
in West Tennessee, and three commits
sioners we're appointed, the Governor to
select a location. We hope, in view OF
the late startling disclosures, that they
will get together and act promptly that
steps may be taken toward erecting the
West Tennessee Asylum as soon as pos
sible that this afflicted class may be
secluded from the rest Of mankind and
given the strict professional treatment
they require. While 1t is important TO
locate blame only where it should rest,
it is equally as imperative duty to keep
the helpless classes separated and prop
erly provided for. The glazing fact stands
forth that we have no proper place for
the insane in Shelby county. The only
place for them is in regular State In
sane Ansylum.